How to Clean Jewelry - Guide to Cleaning and Preserving Your Jewelry

Table of Contents

1. Jewelry Materials 101
2. Terms Defined
3. Cleaning Precious Metals Jewelry
4. Cleaning Durable Metals Jewelry
5. Cleaning Costume Jewelry
6. Cleaning Gemstone Jewelry
7. Cleaning Enamel Jewelry
8. Cleaning Beaded Jewelry
9. Cleaning Textile Jewelry
10. Identifying Your Jewelry Materials
11. Conclusion: Tips on How To Preserve Jewelry
    
    

Jewelry Materials 101

Is your jewelry due for a good cleaning? Whether it's a cherished piece or a favorite worn daily, our detailed guide will help your jewelry look its best!

Before we dive into the cleaning methods, let's take a quick tour through different jewelry materials:

Precious metals	Solid gold, silver, and platinum. These materials are durable and can withstand cleaning with warmer water but are also on the pricier side.
Durable metals	Strong metals that can last a long time. They can be briefly soaked in water without worry.
Costume jewelry	Often used in theater costumes, these pieces are more delicate and affordable, requiring gentle handling. Stick to lukewarm water and avoid long soaks when cleaning them.
Gemstone jewelry	Most gemstones are brittle and don't do well in heat or long baths - especially opals and pearls.
Enamel jewelry	Generally made by fusing powdered glass onto a base layer. If you're unsure about the manufacturing process, play it safe with a simple wipe-down.
Beaded jewelry	Beads are generally okay in water, but the stringing material might not be as strong and could break with soaking.
Textile jewelry	Clever fusions of textiles (most commonly fabric, thread, and leather) and jewelry. Cleaning advice generally follows the type of textile used.

Ready to Clean?

Now that you are a pro on jewelry materials, you are ready to actually clean them!

But before we dive into that, we want to present a glossary of terms you might frequently see in our cleaning guide, so you won’t feel puzzled about what we mean.

Feel free to refer back to this list as needed!

 

Terms Defined

To avoid confusion, here's a glossary of terms you'll frequently see in our cleaning guide:

	What it is?	Products to look for
Mild Soap	Soap that doesn't contain chemicals harmful to your jewelry	Soaps designed for sensitive skin
Non-phosphate Dish Soap	A gentler option without phosphates, which can damage your jewelry	Check that "phosphate" is not listed in the ingredients
Mild Detergent	A gentler cleaner	Detergent without perfumes, bleach, or bleach alternatives. Ingredients list shouldn't include phosphates, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium aluminosilicates, or citric acid
Microfiber Cloth	A cloth made from synthesized fibers, used for drying jewelry without causing scratches	Search directly for "microfiber cloths". They should be thin and soft to the touch
Polishing Cloth	A special cloth that cleans the surface of your jewelry and gives it a shine	Search directly for "polishing cloth"

  

With all the terminology cleared up now, we hope that you will be able to get the right products needed for your needs.

And with that, we will now dive into how to clean your jewelry! 🤗

 

Cleaning Precious Metals Jewelry

How To Clean Silver, Sterling Silver Jewelry

1. Mix a few drops of mild soap in lukewarm water
2. Dip a soft brush in the mixture and use it to clean your piece gently
3. Rinse with lukewarm water
4. Pat dry using a clean microfiber cloth
5. Wipe with a polishing cloth

How To Clean Tarnished Pure Silver and Sterling Silver Jewelry

Caution: Don't use this method for pieces with glued-on gems

1. Line a glass bowl with a layer of aluminum foil
2. Add a layer of baking soda, put the jewelry on top, then coat with another layer of baking soda
3. Pour in boiling water
4. Soak for 10 minutes, then take out the jewelry and wipe off to check for remaining tarnish
5. Repeat the process if there's still tarnish, replacing the aluminum foil before starting a second round
6. Rinse one last time and pat dry using a clean microfiber cloth
7. Wipe with a polishing cloth

Why this method? The tarnish on pure silver and sterling silver jewelry is silver sulfide (Ag2S) which reacts with aluminum foil.

How To Clean Solid Gold and Platinum Jewelry

1. Mix a few drops of non-phosphate dish soap, some baking soda, and warm water
2. Soak for 10-15 minutes
3. If needed, gently brush off the remaining dirt and grease with a soft toothbrush
4. Rinse with lukewarm water
5. Pat dry using a clean microfiber cloth
6. Wipe with a polishing cloth

Why this method? The dish soap can remove surface dirts and oils, and a loosened layer of tarnish.

 

Cleaning Durable Metals Jewelry

How to Clean Stainless Steel, Titanium, and Tungsten Jewelry

1. Mix baking soda with lukewarm water in a ratio 2:1
2. Dip a soft toothbrush into the paste and gently brush the jewelry
3. Gently rinse off the jewelry with lukewarm water
4. Pat dry using a clean microfiber cloth
5. If available, wipe with a polishing cloth

Cleaning Costume Jewelry

How to Clean Brass, Copper Jewelry (NOT plated)

Caution: Do not add vinegar if the jewelry has opals, as it might cause damage

1. Mix together mild dish soap and water
2. Dip the jewelry and a soft toothbrush in the mixture, and gently scrub off any dirt or grease
3. If another layer of cleaning is needed, mix a 1:1 solution of warm water and vinegar, then lay the jewelry inside for 30 seconds
4. Gently rinse off the jewelry with lukewarm water
5. Pat dry using a clean microfiber cloth
6. Wipe with a polishing cloth

Why this method? Vinegar's acidity helps clean off the oxidized layer of tarnish on brass and copper jewelry.

How to Clean Gold Plated and Silver Plated Jewelry

Caution: Be extra careful with plated jewelry, as its layer of metal is thin and therefore more delicate

1. Add a few drops of mild soap into lukewarm water
2. Dip a microfiber cloth inside and use it to clean your jewelry
3. Clean and dampen the cloth, then use it to wipe off the soap
4. Pat dry using a clean microfiber cloth
5. Wipe with a polishing cloth

How to Clean Resin Jewelry

1. Add a few drops of mild soap into lukewarm water
2. If your piece is solid plastic or risen, soak it in the solution for about 5 minutes
3. If your piece is more delicate, dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and use it to clean your jewelry
4. Use a soft toothbrush to remove buildup in the crevices, but be very gentle
5. Gently rinse off in lukewarm water
6. Pat dry using a clean microfiber cloth

Cleaning Gemstone Jewelry

How to Clean Gemstone Jewelry 

1. Mix a few drops of non-phosphate dish soap in lukewarm water
2. Dip a soft toothbrush in the solution and gently brush off the gemstones
3. Use a wet cloth to clean off the solution
4. Pat dry using a clean microfiber cloth

 

*Note: products chosen in this section are made from faux gemstones

How to Clean Pearls and Opals

1. Mix a few drops of non-phosphate dish soap in lukewarm water
2. Dip a cloth in the solution, and use it to wipe the gemstones
3. Use a wet cloth to clean off the solution
4. Pat dry using a clean microfiber cloth

Why this method? Pearls and opals are more delicate and require more careful handling than many other gemstones. We skip the toothbrush step to avoid damaging them.

Cleaning Enamel Jewelry

How to Clean Enamel Jewelry

1. Mix a few drops of non-phosphate dish soap in lukewarm water
2. Dip a cloth in the solution, and use it to wipe the jewelry
3. Use a toothbrush gently to clean out the crevices
4. Rinse and clean the cloth, then use it to wipe off the solution
5. If needed, quickly and gently rinse off the jewelry under lukewarm water (don’t do this for too long, as prolonged water exposure could loosen the enamel from the rest of the piece)
6. Pat dry using a clean microfiber cloth
7. Wipe with a polishing cloth

Cleaning Beaded Jewelry

How to Clean Glass Beads, Crystal Beads, and Seed Beads Jewelry

1. Mix a few drops of non-phosphate dish soap in lukewarm water
2. Soak the beaded jewelry in the solution for 1-2 minutes, and gently use a toothbrush if dirt and grease remain in hard-to-reach areas (be gentle as it might weaken the stringing material)
3. Gently and quickly rinse off under lukewarm water
4. Dry by laying it out on a cloth and allowing it to air dry (some hard-to-reach places might still be wet)

Cleaning Textile Jewelry

How to Clean Fabric and Thread Jewelry

1. Mix a few drops of mild detergent and lukewarm water
2. Dip the cloth in the solution and wipe down your jewelry
3. Rinse and clean the cloth, then use it to wipe off the solution
4. Pat dry using a clean microfiber cloth, and then leave to air dry

How to Clean Leather Jewelry

1. Mix a few drops of mild soap and lukewarm water
2. Dip the cloth in the solution, and wipe down your jewelry
3. Rinse and clean the cloth, then use it to wipe off the solution
4. Pat dry using a clean microfiber cloth, and then leave to air dry
5. Apply leather conditioner if available for a more finished look

Identifying Your Jewelry Materials

It might be challenging to determine which materials your jewelry contains. Here are a few steps you can take:

Step 1 - Ask the seller
When you make the purchase, ask the seller what materials were used

Step 2 - Check product descriptions
Most companies should have a product description for their jewelry. On our website, you can find this information in a section titled "Materials"

Step 3 - At-home tests
If you don't have information from the seller or don't remember where you bought it, make your best guess based on the pricing, or by performing at-home tests (like testing if your jewelry is magnetic)

It's important to have a decent guess about the materials included to avoid overly abrasive cleanings. If you're still unsure about the material, we advise opting for a gentle cleaning method to avoid harming your jewelry.

Conclusion: Tips on How To Preserve Jewelry

Maintaining your jewelry’s shine is more than just regular cleanings, it's also important to protect it on a day-to-day basis. Here are some tips to extend your jewelry's lifespan:

Remove jewelry when showering
Take off your jewelry when you come into contact with water, especially water that has harmful chemicals (like in a swimming pool) that can corrode your jewelry

Store jewelry properly
Keep your jewelry in a dry, cool, and closed-off box to shield it from moisture and heat, preventing tarnish

Take off jewelry during household chores
Many cleaning products contain chemicals that are harmful to your jewelry, and equipment for rougher chores could scratch your pieces

Put on jewelry after applying products
Products such as makeup and sunscreen may contain chemicals that corrode your jewelry

By following these tips, you'll not only reduce the frequency of cleanings but can also extend the lifespan of your jewelry. Of course, no matter how diligently you take care of your jewelry, it will eventually need cleaning. When that time comes, you can always revisit this guide for tailored cleaning instructions!

Author Bio

Alexia (Angelina) Demiroska

Alexia is a marketing intern at Wimsico, and an incoming senior at UCSD, where she is studying business psychology. At Wimsico, she took on a role as blog editor to sure each article is as accurate, optimized, and helpful as possible. She writes informational content related to jewelry to help readers who want to learn more about their cherished pieces as well as how to care for them. In her free time, Alexia enjoys writing fictional stories and crocheting cute animal plushies!