How To Clean Your Jewelry

Keeping your jewelry looking like new isn’t as difficult as you think. There are plenty of inexpensive household items that you can use to clean your jewelry. Read our tips on how to clean your jewelry so it looks just as fresh as the day you got it. 

Schedule professional cleanings

We recommend taking your most valuable, sentimental pieces to a jeweler for a professional cleaning. A professional cleaning will safely and thoroughly clean your jewelry in places that you might not be able to reach. 

When bringing in pieces to be cleaned, you should also request that they are inspected for abnormalities. For example, prongs in tennis bracelets can become loose over time, which can make stones fall out of the bracelet. Your jeweler can resolve any problems before irreversible damage is done. 

Use mild cleaning solutions

Rumor has it Elizabeth Taylor would clean her 33.19-carat Krupp diamond ring in a combination of hot water and gin. However, the experts at Ritani say if you’re going to clean your jewelry at home, you should soak it in a mixture of warm water and mild dishwashing liquid for half an hour, before gently scrubbing it with a soft-bristle toothbrush.

Baking soda’s mild, non-abrasive consistency makes it another great choice for cleaning metals and precious stones. Simply pour a bit of baking soda into a bowl and mix it with a bit of warm water to create a soft paste. Use your fingers to gently rub the paste around the precious metal or any stones the jewelry may have. Rinse the piece in warm water and dry with a lint-free cloth.

Take extra care when cleaning your smaller pieces – it’s very easy to lose an earring or an earring backing!