The jewels you wear — whether they’re a family heirloom or a brand-new designer piece — should never look dull or tarnished. In fact, a dirty-looking jewelry item can detract from the aesthetic of your entire look and even affect the way people perceive you. Taking your fine jewelry to a professional cleaner is one way to ensure that it gets clean and stays shiny, but this can be costly and time-consuming. Fortunately, there are plenty of jewelry cleaning hacks that you can try at home to keep your accessories looking great.
Jewelry cleaners are usually available as liquid sprays or kits that include a special bowl, an ultrasonic tank, and a special brush, and they can be used on various types of jewelry, including precious metals and gemstones. When choosing a jewelry cleaner, pay attention to the formula and what kinds of stones and metals your pieces contain, as some cleaners may work best on certain items and not others. For instance, our top pick, Grandma’s Secret Jewelry Cleaner, works well on gold, silver, sapphires, and diamonds but should not be used on pearls, coral, opals, or other soft, porous stones. It also does not work on oxidized or painted metals, and it is not recommended for antique or costume jewelry.
When you’re ready to use your jewelry cleaner, follow the instructions on the label. Most often, you’ll need to submerge your jewelry in the solution for a few minutes and then scrub it with a toothbrush if needed. Afterward, rinse your jewelry thoroughly with water and let it dry before wearing it again. The most important thing to remember is that routine cleaning is essential if you want your jewelry to last as long as possible and maintain its beautiful shine.
Having access to quality jewelry cleaner can be especially helpful for anyone who sells or displays fine jewelry, as it is imperative that every product in your showcase looks its best. However, many people don’t realize how easy it is to keep jewelry looking its best at home with a few simple hacks.
One of the easiest hacks is to soak jewelry in a mixture made from equal parts warm water and baking soda. This can be especially effective for sterling silver and gold jewelry, as the combination of these two items creates a chemical reaction that effectively removes tarnish and other grime from jewelry. To make a mixture, simply mix equal parts warm water and a teaspoon of baking soda in a bowl and let your jewelry sit in the solution for a few minutes before scrubbing it with an old, soft toothbrush, being careful not to scratch the metal. Then, rinse your jewelry and pat it dry with a clean cloth. This method works well on rings, necklaces, and earrings. For more detailed care, you can use a homemade cleaning spray with a similar mixture (one part sudsing ammonia, one part water, and a few drops of dish detergent) that is safe for most fine jewelry.
