A jewelry lover’s greatest fear is realized when they see their gleaming accessories deteriorating. Many jewelry lovers learn how to maintain each piece of jewelry they have, to keep them in mint condition. However, this is not always easy.
Your jewelry is often exposed to dirt and grime, pollutants and other harmful elements. Luckily, you can protect these items by cleaning them regularly. However, when thinking about cleaning jewelry the first thing that comes to mind is the cost of professional cleaning.
Well, you do not have to pay through your nose to clean your pieces. It is possible to ensure that your jewelry remains in tiptop shape by using home cleaning techniques.
In this jewelry maintenance guide, we highlight and show you important cleaning tips, that you can use to ensure that your jewelry pieces remain as good as new.
1. Clean Every Jewelry Piece Individually
While it is possible to clean your jewelry at home, every piece requires special attention. Different metals and gems react differently to the environment. You have to consider the best cleaning product to use to achieve the best results.
The most common jewelry materials such as gold and silver are easy to clean at home. However, other delicate materials such as platinum may require the services of a professional cleaner.
2. Keep It Simple
For the best results when cleaning your jewelry, keep things simple. Choose a non-abrasive cleaning solution to clean the most common jewelry and use a soft cloth to polish them.
Warm water will do the trick in most cases. The idea is to avoid expensive cleaning solutions that may not add any value to the maintenance of your pieces. Such cleaners may even ruin your beautiful pieces.
3. Know When to Clean Your Jewelry
You will find a lot of information explaining how often you should clean your jewelry. This confuses most jewelry lovers and they end up ruining their beautiful accessories by rubbing them excessively.
The best way to determine when to clean your piece is by looking at the appearance of its surface and around the metal setting. If it has started to lose its sparkle, it is time for a wash. Avoid dipping your jewelry pieces in water every other day as this might end up affecting their brilliance.
4. Removing Tarnish
If you own a collection of sterling silver jewelry pieces, tarnish is one of the problems you have to deal with. It is advisable to avoid bleaches and abrasive cleaning solutions. Instead, use dish soap and warm water to remove tarnish.
You can also try baking soda for heavier tarnish to get your jewelry back to its former glory. Use a paste of baking soda with a soft cloth and work it around every part of the piece.
This is an ideal solution for semi-mount engagement rings since they have multiple surfaces where dirt and grime can stick.
5. Clean Gold in Warm Water Bath
Gold jewelry remains popular due to its luster, style and luxurious touch. Every gold piece oozes class and sophistication. While gold pieces are durable, they require proper care to avoid a buildup of dirt and grime.
If you want your gold pieces to continue gleaming, clean them in a bath of warm water and dish soap. This simple process will restore your pieces to their natural state.
Swish the pieces around in the water for some time before removing them. Lay them on a soft piece of cloth, check for any remnants of dirt, and scrub it off with an old brush. Rinse the pieces under running water and then buff dry with a soft cloth.
6. Use Seltzer Water/mild Detergent For Gemstones
To restore the spark of precious stones such as sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, and rubies, use seltzer water instead of ordinary tap water.
The carbonated water and mild detergent will help remove any blemishes on the surface of your gemstones and clean off any dirt and grime as well. Use a soft brush, not a toothbrush, to clean the gemstones. Avoid using any chemicals as they may react with the stone.
7. Aluminum Foil Technique
One of the most effective jewelry cleaning techniques at home is the use of aluminum foil. Line a bowl with aluminum foil then fill it with hot water.
Add one tablespoon of bleach-free laundry detergent and then dip your silver jewelry into the bowl. Let them soak for a minute, rinse and air-dry your pieces.
The idea is to use a process known as ion exchange to remove impurities from the surface of your jewelry pieces.
8. Using Ketchup
When thinking of ways to clean your jewelry, ketchup is the last thing that will come to mind. However, jewelry lovers have tried this technique and they see that it works marvels.
This technique works for any type of metal. Dip your piece in a bowl of ketchup for a few minutes. If it has nooks or a detailed surface, use a soft brush to clean the crevices. Rinse it and wear your piece.
Wrapping Up
Are you worried about how to clean your jewelry? You do not have to pay an arm and a leg to get your pieces cleaned. You have everything you need at home. If you want to keep your jewelry pieces in the best shape, make sure to clean them regularly using the most suitable technique. Take time to learn more about the quality of the material used to make your jewelry; this will help you to avoid ruining your piece during the cleaning process. You should also avoid using any harsh chemicals to clean your jewelry as they may ruin them permanently.