Over time, jewelry can start to look dull, tarnished and dirty. However, there are simple, affordable remedies to get your jewelry looking good as new- and keep it that way!
For a quick and easy at-home cleaner, there are ingredients probably already in your cabinets. Ingredients such as dish soap, salt, baking soda, water and aluminum foil are readily available at home and can make your jewelry sparkle!
Dull Jewelry and Diamonds
Soak your dull jewelry or diamonds in a cup of warm water mixed with one tablespoon of dish soap. Mix the soap and water until bubbles form, and then soak the jewelry in the solution for three to four minutes. You can also softly brush the jewelry with a soft bristle toothbrush.
Seriously Tarnished Jewelry
A mixture of a tablespoon of salt, baking soda and dish soap respectively, with one cup of water microwaved at two minutes, is a stronger solution. Put the warm water mixture in a bowl and place your jewelry on a sheet of aluminum foil in the bowl. Let it soak for five to 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
Pearls
Mix a small amount of mild dish soap with lukewarm water. Then, dip a soft cleaning cloth and wipe your pearls. It is advised not to submerge a pearl necklace in water! You should also wipe your pearls with a dry, soft cloth after every wear for prevention of any dirt buildup.
There are also affordable products available online or in-store that cut out assembly time and get right to work. Cleaners, sprays, wipes and cloths can be used to instantly spot-clean jewelry for the night as you’re getting ready, or to quickly and effectively clean your entire collection.
A simple cleaning solution that works for all kinds of jewelry is the Blitz Jewelry Care Kit, which typically costs $20. Another handy product is the Mayflower Products Pro Size cleaning cloth. This cloth takes very little effort, lasts for a long time, and leaves no lint behind. For on-the-go cleaning, keep jewelry wipes in your purse!
Once your jewelry is looking good as new, there are steps you can take to prolong the newfound shine and keep your jewelry cleaner for a longer time. Proper storage of your jewelry is key. Exposure to moisture and sunlight will wear down your jewels quickly. It is a good idea to dry off jewels before storing them. When storing them, you can even place them in a bag with anti-tarnish strips that absorbs the surrounding moisture.
Giggle Tip:
Customers of Family Jewels & Purse Strings, Kirsikka Jewelry and Lang Jewelers receive a complimentary cleaning and checkup of their jewelry!