Mild dish soap, warm water, a soft toothbrush, and cloths are all you need to clean jewellery at home. Mix the soap with water and soak the jewelry for some time in it. Then give it a gentle brush and wipe. That’s it. Every type of jewelry has its own cleaning needs. Silver can tarnish quickly, while delicate stones like pearls or opals need extra care.
Proper cleansing can restore the sparkle of your dull jewelry. By following some steps, your old jewellery will be like brand new again. Just remember to avoid harsh chemicals and stick to natural cleaners to keep everything safe and sparkling.
At The Wind Opal, we specialize in beautiful opal jewelry. With our expert tips, you can keep your opals and other jewelry looking stunning for years to come!
Why Proper Cleaning is Important for Your Jewellery
Over time, everyday things like lotions, oils, perfumes, and dust can build up on your favorite pieces, making them look dull and tired. But it’s not just about how they appear. Dirt and residue can cause scratches, weaken settings, and even loosen stones. Regular cleaning helps get rid of these hidden threats, protecting your jewelry from long-term damage.
Cleaning also gives you a chance to inspect your pieces more closely. You might spot a loose stone, a weak clasp, or other signs of wear before they turn into bigger problems. It’s more than just maintenance; it’s about honoring the memories tied to your jewelry, ensuring it stays beautiful, secure, and ready to wear for years to come.
Different Types of Jewellery
Gold and Gold Plated Jewellery
Gold is classic and durable, but it can lose its shine over time. Oils, dirt, and tarnish can build up, making it look dull. To keep gold jewelry sparkling, clean it with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. If you have gold-plated pieces, be extra gentle to avoid damaging the thin gold layer.
Silver Jewellery
Silver jewelry is beautiful but can tarnish (turn dull or gray) more easily than gold. Tarnish forms when silver reacts with the air. To keep silver shiny, clean it with a special silver cleaning cloth or a homemade paste of baking soda and water. Store silver in a dry place to slow down tarnishing.
Platinum Jewellery
Platinum is a strong, durable metal that doesn’t tarnish easily. However, it can still get dirty or collect oils from your skin. Clean platinum jewelry with a mild soap solution and a soft brush. Avoid harsh cleaners because platinum can get scratched.
Diamond Jewellery
Diamonds are stunning, but they can lose their sparkle when covered with dirt and oils. To clean diamond jewelry, soak it in warm soapy water and gently scrub with a soft toothbrush. If you want a deeper clean, you can use a jewelry cleaner or an ultrasonic cleaner for extra shine.
Gemstone Jewellery
Gemstones like rubies, opals, sapphires, and emeralds need special care because each gemstone is different. Harder stones like rubies can handle a deeper clean, while softer ones like opals and pearls need gentle cleaning. Always check what kind of gemstone you have before cleaning to avoid damage.
Pearl Jewellery
Pearls are delicate and can be easily damaged if not cared for properly. They can absorb oils from your skin and are sensitive to chemicals. Clean pearls by gently wiping them with a soft cloth after wearing. If you need to clean them deeper, use a damp cloth with a tiny bit of soap, but never soak them in water.
Costume Jewellery
Costume jewelry is usually made of non-precious metals and synthetic stones. While it doesn’t need the same level of care as fine jewelry, it still benefits from regular cleaning. Use a soft cloth to remove dirt and oils, and avoid getting costume jewelry wet, especially if it’s coated in gold or silver, as the coating can wear off over time.
How to Clean Jewellery: Step-by-Step Guide
1. Gold Jewellery
What You’ll Need: Mild dish soap, warm water, soft toothbrush, soft cloth.
Steps:
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Prepare Soapy Water: Start by mixing a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water in a small bowl. Make sure the water is not too hot, as extreme heat can affect certain types of jewelry.
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Soak the Gold: Place your gold jewelry in the soapy water and let it soak for 15-20 minutes. This will loosen any dirt, oils, or residue on the surface.
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Gently Scrub: After soaking, use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub your gold jewelry, especially around the settings and intricate areas where dirt may have accumulated. Be careful not to scrub too hard, as this can scratch the surface.
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Rinse and Dry: Rinse the jewelry under warm water and dry it gently with a soft, lint-free cloth. You’ll notice your gold pieces shining and looking refreshed!
2. Sterling Silver Jewellery
What You’ll Need: Baking soda, water, microfiber cloth or silver polishing cloth.
Steps:
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Make a Cleaning Paste: Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with one tablespoon of water to form a thick paste.
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Apply the Paste: Gently rub the paste onto your silver jewelry with a soft cloth or your fingers, focusing on tarnished areas. For intricate designs, you can use a soft toothbrush to clean.
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Rinse and Dry: Once the tarnish is removed, rinse the jewelry with lukewarm water and dry it immediately with a microfiber cloth. If you have a silver polishing cloth, use it to buff the jewelry for extra shine.
Tip: Silver jewelry can tarnish quickly when exposed to air and moisture. To keep it from tarnishing too fast, store it in a dry, cool place, and consider using anti-tarnish pouches.
3. Diamond Jewellery
What You’ll Need: Mild dish soap, warm water, soft toothbrush, soft cloth.
Steps:
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Soak in Soapy Water: Mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Soak your diamond jewelry in the solution for 10-15 minutes to loosen dirt and oils.
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Brush Gently: After soaking, use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub around the diamond and setting, making sure to remove any dirt trapped in the prongs.
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Rinse and Dry: Rinse the jewelry under warm water and dry it with a soft cloth. Your diamonds will look as brilliant as ever!
Tip: Diamonds are durable but can still collect dirt, so cleaning them regularly will keep them sparkling. Avoid using harsh chemicals, which can damage the setting.
4. Jewellery with Gemstone
What You’ll Need: Mild dish soap, warm water, soft old toothbrush, soft cloth.
Steps:
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Soak in Soapy Water: Mix mild dish soap and water. Place your gemstone jewelry in the solution. Let it soak for a few minutes to loosen any buildup.
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Scrub Gently: Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub the gemstone and setting. Be mindful of softer stones, like opals and pearls, as they can be easily scratched.
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Rinse and Dry: Rinse your gemstone jewelry thoroughly with clean water and dry it with a soft cloth to avoid watermarks. For gemstones with intricate settings, you may need to use a microfiber cloth to clean hard-to-reach areas.
Tip: Different gemstones have different hardness levels. Always check the care instructions for your specific gemstone to avoid damaging it during cleaning.
5. Pearl Jewellery
What You’ll Need: Soft cloth, lukewarm water, mild soap (optional).
Steps:
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Wipe After Wearing: Pearls are delicate, so it’s important to wipe them down with a soft cloth after each wear to remove oils and dirt.
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Clean with Damp Cloth: If your pearls need deeper cleaning, lightly dampen a soft cloth with lukewarm water mixed with a small amount of mild soap. Gently wipe the pearls without soaking them.
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Dry and Store: Lay your pearls flat on a soft cloth to dry. Never store them in airtight containers as they need to breathe. Keep them in a fabric pouch to protect them from scratches.
Tip: Always avoid cleaning pearls with harsh chemicals or submerging them in water, as they can lose their luster or become damaged.
6. Costume Jewellery
What You’ll Need: Mild soap, warm water, soft cloth.
Steps:
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Make a Soap Solution: Mix a small amount of mild soap with warm water in a bowl.
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Clean with Cloth: Dip a soft cloth into the soapy solution and gently wipe down your costume jewelry. Avoid submerging the jewelry entirely, as water can weaken the glue used in many costume pieces.
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Dry Immediately: Dry the jewelry with a soft, dry cloth to remove excess moisture. Be especially careful with pieces that are plated or have synthetic stones.
Tip: Since costume jewelry is usually more affordable, be extra gentle with it. Harsh cleaning methods can strip the coating or damage the delicate components.
Eco-Friendly Jewellery Cleaning Solutions
If you’re looking to keep your jewelry sparkling while also being mindful of the planet, eco-friendly cleaning solutions are the way to go. These natural options are not only safe for your jewelry but also gentle on the environment. Here are a few simple and effective ways to clean your jewelry using common household ingredients:
1. Baking Soda and Water
Baking soda is a natural and non-toxic cleaner that works wonders on tarnish and dirt. It's an easy, eco-friendly solution for cleaning your jewelry without harsh chemicals.
How to Use:
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Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of warm water to make a paste.
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Gently rub the paste onto your jewelry using a soft cloth or a toothbrush.
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Focus on tarnished areas and any built-up dirt or grime.
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Rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Why It Works: Baking soda’s mild abrasiveness gently scrubs away dirt and tarnish without scratching your jewelry, making it perfect for cleaning metals like silver, gold, and platinum.
2. Lemon Juice and Baking Soda
Lemon juice’s natural acidity combined with baking soda creates a fizzy reaction that helps to break down tarnish and grime, making it a powerful yet eco-friendly cleaner for your jewelry.
How to Use:
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Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 2 tablespoons of baking soda to create a paste.
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Apply the paste to your jewelry with a soft cloth or toothbrush.
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Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before gently scrubbing the jewelry.
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Rinse well with clean water and dry with a microfiber cloth.
Why It Works: The acidity of lemon juice helps dissolve tarnish and dirt, while baking soda works to scrub and polish, giving your jewelry a clean, bright finish.
3. White Vinegar and Baking Soda
White vinegar is another eco-friendly option that can clean your jewelry effectively. When paired with baking soda, it creates a fizzy solution that helps lift grime and restore shine to your jewelry.
How to Use:
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Pour a small amount of white vinegar into a bowl.
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Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda and mix until it forms a solution.
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Place your jewelry in the mixture and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
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Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub away dirt.
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Rinse thoroughly with water and dry with a soft cloth.
Why It Works: The reaction between vinegar and baking soda helps break down stubborn grime and tarnish, making this solution ideal for cleaning metals like silver and gold.
4. Castile Soap and Warm Water
For delicate jewelry, such as pearls, opals, or other soft gemstones, Castile soap offers a gentle, biodegradable way to clean. It's plant-based and free from harsh chemicals, making it perfect for eco-conscious cleaning.
How to Use:
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Add a few drops of Castile soap to warm water.
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Soak your jewelry in the solution for about 10-15 minutes.
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Use a soft toothbrush to gently clean around the stones and settings.
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Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Why It Works: Castile soap is gentle on your jewelry and the environment. It cleans effectively without harsh chemicals, making it ideal for delicate pieces that require extra care.
5. Mild Dish Soap and Warm Water
One of the easiest and most effective eco-friendly cleaning methods is using mild dish soap mixed with warm water. This solution works well for many types of jewelry, including gold, diamonds, and other durable materials.
How to Use:
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Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water.
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Soak your jewelry in the solution for about 15-20 minutes.
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Gently scrub with a soft toothbrush, paying special attention to crevices where dirt can accumulate.
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Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth
Why It Works: Dish soap is gentle enough for most jewelry types and helps dissolve oils and dirt that may have built up over time, leaving your pieces shiny and clean.
When to Seek Professional Jewellery Cleaning Services
Your jewelry deserves more than just a quick wipe now and then. While home cleaning works for everyday maintenance, some pieces really need professional care. Valuable or sentimental jewelry, like a diamond ring or a family heirloom, is best handled by a jeweler to keep it safe and sparkling.
If your silver won’t shine or a stone feels loose, a professional can fix it safely. Pieces with intricate designs also benefit from expert cleaning since dirt hides in tiny crevices you can’t reach.
Delicate gems, like pearls or opals, need extra care, and professionals know exactly how to handle them. Even if your jewelry looks scratched or dull, a jeweler can polish and restore it to its original shine. And don’t forget, catching a loose clasp or worn prong early can prevent bigger problems down the line.
Common Jewellery Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
Even though cleaning your jewelry seems easy, a few simple mistakes can actually harm your favorite pieces. One common error is using harsh chemicals. Household cleaners, bleach, or ammonia might get rid of dirt, but they can damage metals, dull gemstones, and weaken settings.
Another mistake is scrubbing too hard. Using stiff brushes or rough cloths can scratch metals and softer stones like pearls, opals, or emeralds. Stick to a soft toothbrush or cloth for gentle cleaning.
Soaking jewelry for too long is risky too. Delicate stones or pieces with glued settings can loosen or break if left in water or cleaning solutions.
Cleaning different metals or gemstones together is also a no-no. Gold, silver, and delicate stones often need separate care to avoid damage.
Lastly, many people skip regular inspections. Even if your jewelry looks clean, a loose prong or clasp can lead to lost stones or broken pieces. Checking your jewelry while cleaning helps catch these problems early.
Closing Note
Jewelry isn’t just an accessory. It’s a little piece of your story. Keeping it clean and cared for isn’t about being perfect; it’s about making sure your favorite pieces stay sparkly, safe, and ready to wear whenever you want. Simple steps at home, avoiding common mistakes, and knowing when to call a professional can make a huge difference in keeping your jewelry looking its best.
At The Wind Opal, we love helping you take care of your treasures. From easy cleaning tips to expert advice, we’re here to make sure your jewelry stays as beautiful and meaningful as the day you first fell in love with it.
