Quick and Easy Steps to Make Your Jewelry Looking New Again
Every year on Christmas Eve, do you know what my relatives would bring over to my potluck Christmas dinner other than their potluck dishes, wines, and holiday cheers?
Their tired-looking jewelry!
Once I’m done cleaning the jewelry for them they always go “oohs” and “aahhs” because their jewelry looks new again. You should see their happy but guilty grins.
Are your once beautiful jewelry looking a little tired and dull too? Are they screaming “Clean Me!”? Well, giving your beloved pieces a spa treatment is easier than you think and can make all the difference in keeping them looking shiny and new. Trust me, it doesn’t require any special skills and you can easily do it at home.
What you’ll need:
- A medium bowl with warm water
- A mild detergent (more below)
- A soft bristle toothbrush
- A jewelry cleaning cloth - optional - see offer below
- A soft washcloth
1. Use a gentle cleaning solution
The first step in cleaning your jewelry is to choose a gentle cleaner that won't damage your pieces. I find that Dawn dishwashing liquid does a great job. Many jewelers use that in their studios. My favorite is Dawn Original, not the ones with scents, antibacterial, or extra strength. Mix a few of drops with some warm water in a bowl.
2. Clean and scrub
Use a soft bristle toothbrush and gently brush away dirt and grime on the piece in the bowl with soapy water. If you have prong set faceted stones like a diamond, clean under the stone as best as you can. This will make your gemstones shine like the first day you met and you’ll be doing the “oohs” and “aahs” like my cousins.
This solution is gentle enough for most types of jewelry and won't harm the environment.
3. Dry and polish
After you've cleaned and scrubbed your jewelry, rinse it off in another bowl with warm water and pat it dry with a soft cloth. Make sure to avoid using paper towels or anything rough that could scratch your jewelry.
To give your precious metals an extra shine, try using a jewelry polishing cloth. These cloths are specifically designed to remove tarnish/fine scratches and restore shine to your jewelry. Even a little jewelry cloth can last a long time. Keep using it until it no longer clean, even if it looks really dirty.
Don’t use jewelry cloth on plated jewelry as repeated use will take off the plating.
4. Take care of your jewelry
Now that your jewelry is clean and shiny, it's important to take steps to keep it looking that way. One of the best ways to do this is to store your jewelry properly. Keep it in a dry, cool place (a cloth-lined jewelry box is great), and avoid exposing it to harsh chemicals or perfumes.
For silver jewelry, storing it in a zip-loc bag with an anti-tarnishing stripe would be best.
Another tip is to remove your jewelry before doing any strenuous activity or using any cleaning products. This will help prevent any damage or tarnish from occurring.
Taking earrings and necklaces off at bedtime will also prevent repeated stress on the pieces during sleep (unless you sleep like a log). Don’t you want to enjoy your jewelry for a long, long time?
So there you have it. Cleaning your jewelry doesn't have to be a chore. With these simple steps, you can keep your pieces looking beautiful and new. You'll fall in love with them over and over again ❤️