Cleaning your jewelry is not something to be afraid of. Right cleaning procedures bring them back to their original shine. Don't let your prized jewels fade, which you purchased at high prices or were gifted by someone you love. You can start by learning thoroughly how to clean jewelry at home.
Here are the most effective home remedies for cleaning jewelry we have prepared for you.
How to Clean Jewelry?
Jewels are either chemical elements or a compound of chemical elements. So, when cleaning these valuable ornaments, we need to use appropriate methods without damaging their chemical properties. Knowing how to clean tarnished jewelry will save you time and money and restore its true shine.
How to Clean Gold Jewelry?
Gold is a bright yellow, easily shaped, non-oxidizing, and commercially valuable mineral. To increase the durability of gold, give it the color, and appeal to different preferences, it is mixed with additives (copper, silver, brass, etc.). These elements mixed with gold cause it to become stained and oxidized quickly at the same time.
Gold necklaces, earrings, or any other jewelry items sometimes tarnishe because of a chemical reaction called oxidation. Gold is also a soft metal and can be scratched easily. Although there are many methods for cleaning gold jewelry, it is useful to try chemical-free techniques first. If you cannot see the effect, then you should try methods containing more chemicals.
How to Clean Silver Jewelry?
The glamorous shine of silver does not go unnoticed. However, its reaction with sulfur often causes the formation of black spots on its surface. These stains, which are formed as a result of the reaction of silver with sulfur, are called sulfide in chemical terminology, and sulfide can be cleaned by scraping or dissolving on the silver surface. Any of the methods described below would work for cleaning your silver earrings, bracelets, or any other jewelry.
How to Clean Pearls?
Market pearls are usually cultured pearls, which are very delicate. Pearl jewelry requires more tender care than any other jewelry item.
- It's best to wash them after every use to prevent the formation of stains.
- If your pearls have visible stains, wash them with warm water and dish soap. Make sure your pearls are thoroughly dry after washing them.
- Your pearls should be taken to the jeweler for maintenance every year. Silk thread weakened by body oil needs professional care.
- Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners will damage the outer surface of the pearls, so avoid these types of products. Do not spray perfume or lotion after wearing your pearls. Spray them before you put on your pearls.
8 Effective Home Remedies for Cleaning Jewelry
Below is a list of the best way to clean jewelry you can prepare yourself;
1. Salt and Lemon Juice
Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and salt to create a paste. Apply the paste to your jewelry using a soft toothbrush. Don't forget to scrub it gently. After application rinse the jewelry with water and dry it with a soft cloth.
2. Toothpaste
Toothpaste is particularly effective in returning tarnished silver to its original shine. For application, it should be applied on silver with the help of a soft cloth.
Due to the abrasive nature of the toothpaste, and some toothpaste contain a small amount of grit, applying it with a hard brush can cause scratches on your jewels.
3. Boil Your Jewelry
You can use boiled water on almost all of your jewelry, with the exception of some delicate gems. To clean these stains, pour boiling water on them, let them cool, and then scrub them with a toothbrush. Any jewelry with no bonding can be treated with this process. Otherwise, the adhesive material may dissolve in boiling water.
4. Antacids
In pharmacies, antacids are sold to treat heartburn. You can also use these over-the-counter medicines to clean and shine your jewelry collections. Put two tablets of these drugs, whose main task in the body is to balance the acids, in a glass of water and wait until it foams. Then leave your jewelry in this water for 5 minutes and then remove and rinse.
5. Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil is a good jewelry cleaner. Aluminum foil reacts with baking soda when applied with hot water and removes stains and tarnishings from jewelry. A slightly deep and wide boron glass will be ideal for this method. Cover the inside of your container with aluminum foil and spread your jewelry inside the container.
Then cover them completely with baking soda and pour some hot water over them. Do not pour too much hot water; it is enough that the baking soda starts to bubble.
Then mix the baking soda with the help of a soft toothbrush. This will speed up the reaction. Your jewelry will be free of dark spots and stains after these processes. By rinsing in clear water, you can complete the polishing process.
6. Dishwashing Liquid and Water
Dish soap is a practical and quick solution to cleaning jewelry. Pour a few drops of dish soap into a bowl and add enough warm water to cover your jewelry. Then rub your jewelry with the help of a soft toothbrush. then rinse in tap water. That is all. Despite its simplicity, its effect will surprise you.
7. Baking Soda
You can also use baking soda without aluminum foil. Put enough baking soda to cover your jewelry in a bowl and add hot water to swell a little. Then brush your jewelry with a soft toothbrush for about 5 minutes and rinse in hot water. Finally, polish it by rubbing it with a towel.
Jewelry can be effectively polished by boiling it in hot water with baking soda for one minute, then scrubbing it with a toothbrush.
Due to the different chemical properties of each piece of jewelry, they may react differently to the cleaning method used. Thus, you can make different homemade jewelry cleaners based on the type of jewelry.
8. Vinegar & Diatomaceous Earth
In our last tip, let's talk about a method mostly used in the past. Vinegar is an excellent jewelry cleaning solution. In your home environment, you can easily prepare it. Place a teaspoon of rock salt and vinegar in a bowl along with the gold, natural or lap-created gemstones you would like to shine.
After 5 minutes, mix the salt and vinegar, remove your jewelry, sink it in a bowl of pure water, and wait a while to rinse. Finally, brush your jewelry with a toothbrush and rinse again with running water.
