How to clean jewelry, according to experts
How to clean jewelry, according to experts
Cleaning your jewelry at home is much easier than you might think, once you have the right tools. Life would be a breeze if all jewelry were tarnishproof, but sterling silver, gold, platinum and even pieces with precious stones need refreshing once in a while. Before you go scrubbing your accessories with whatever you find in your cleaning cabinet, though, we’re here to help.
From the affordable jewelry you wear to the finer pieces you treasure, each style deserves a good polishing and cleaning every so often. I spoke to cleaning experts and jewelry specialists to find out the best at-home cleaning methods to bring sparkle and shine back to your jewelry box.
How to clean jewelry
The right jewelry cleaner can give your accessories new life, while the wrong one can do more harm than good. Regularly cleaning your jewelry can help keep it looking picture perfect, while eliminating the risk of heavy tarnishing and discoloration, especially for sterling silver pieces.
- Step 1: Choose the right cleaner for your jewelry. Consider the metal, stone and tarnish level to target the exact needs of the piece.
- Step 2: Polish and clean jewelry according to the metal, stone and cleaner instructions. Be gentle with scrubbing and always use a soft material for polishing and cleaning.
- Step 3: If you used a polishing or cleaning agent, follow instructions to rinse the cleaner off so you don’t leave any residue.
- Step 4: Use a microfiber or polishing cloth to remove any residue and fingerprints, and dry off any remaining water.
Editor hack: You don’t necessarily have to buy a jewelry cleaner; a DIY solution may already be in your cleaning cabinet. If you’re using our editor-favorite trick of cleaning with dish soap, water and a baby toothbrush, make sure to use warm or room-temperature water. Remember, metal can be malleable, so you want to ensure you’re not using water that’s too hot, which can reshape pieces or loosen stone settings.
If your jewelry requires additional attention, use a detail brush or a soft-bristled toothbrush for getting into intricate settings or detailed pieces. As long as you’ve cleaned it gently, dried it off thoroughly and used extra-soft materials to wipe and clean your pieces, you should be good to go.
