From your everyday jewelry to unique pieces you only wear on special occasions, chances are, all of your jewelry could use a good polish. Lotion, soaps and everyday dust and dirt are just a few things that can clog jewelry settings and make stones, chains and pearls appear dull and lifeless. And it’s usually not until you're getting ready for a night out on the town that you notice your rings, necklaces and bracelets need some attention.
The good news is you can clean your jewelry at home — and it's easier than you might think.
These tips will help your pieces sparkle for years to come.
How to clean Silver
Don't let silver sit in your jewelry box — wear it! It becomes shinier the more it's worn (the friction slows down tarnishing).
When you’re not wearing it, store silver pieces in an anti-tarnish bag.
The best way to clean tarnished silver pieces and keep them from re-tarnishing as quickly, is with a good silver polish that dissolves and removes tarnish while leaving behind a protective coating to prevent new tarnish from forming.
Liquid polishes can be a bit messy to use, especially if you're in a hurry; wipes can be a more convenient alternative. Specially treated multi-layer cloths, which have one side to clean and remove tarnish and a second one to shine, are also a good option.
If you don't have silver polish on hand and you need to clean silver ASAP, try one of the DIY methods below. Just know that these treatments won't keep tarnish from returning, and silver experts caution against using them too often (if at all).
For silver-plated jewelry, avoid excessive rubbing to keep from wearing away the finish.
Use dish soap
Mix a few drops of liquid dish soap with warm water.
Dip a soft cloth in the solution and use it to rub the silver to remove the tarnish.
Rinse with cool water.
Buff dry with another soft cloth.
Try baking soda for heavier tarnish
Mix three parts baking soda to one part water.
Wet the silver and apply the paste with a soft, lint-free cloth. Work it into the crevices and turn the cloth as it picks up the tarnish.
Rinse well.
Buff dry.
Reach for toothpaste
In the same way mild abrasives in toothpaste remove stains from your teeth, they can also remove tarnish from silver!
Apply a dab of white toothpaste (not a gel one) to tarnished silver. Rub very gently with your finger or a soft cloth.
Rinse well with warm water.
Buff to a shine with a soft cloth.
How to clean gold
Put small solid gold bracelets, chains and earrings into a strainer before placing in a little warm water and a few drops of dish soap; large pieces can go directly into the bowl to soak for about five minutes. Swish the items around.
Take them out, lay them on a soft cloth. Go over the crevices and chain links with a soft toothbrush to dislodge any dirt trapped there.
Return small pieces to the strainer and rinse everything under running water.
Buff dry with a soft cloth.
How to clean semi-precious gemstones
(like diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires set in gold)
Put small jewelry pieces into a strainer before placing in a little selzer water and a few drops of dish soap (the carbonation helps loosen soil and removed debris trapped in the settings and on the facets); large pieces can go directly into the bowl to soak for about five minutes. Swish the items around.
Take them out, lay them on a soft cloth. Brush stones and settings with a soft toothbrush.
Dip in clear water to rinse or place the pieces in a strainer and rinse under running water.
Buff dry and admire the sparkle.
To clean rings on-the-go:
Keep a jewelry cleaning stick in your purse. Simply twist the wand to release the cleaner and use the soft brush tip to remove dirt and grime. Rinse well, and see your gems shine!
How to clean real, cultured, or faux pearls, turquoise and opals (porous stones)
Because they're so porous, pearls can easily lose their luster. To clean pearls gently:
Lay the strand on a soft cloth.
Dip a clean, small makeup brush into a mixture of warm water and a little shampoo, and go over each pearl. You can also use a special pearl care kit, including tissue sachets of cleaner and a polishing cloth.
Rinse the pearls with a clean, well-wrung damp cloth. Never soak pearls as doing so can cause the string to weaken and break.
Let the strand dry flat to prevent the string from stretching.
Wipe pearls with a soft cloth after each wear to remove body oils and perfume that can yellow them.
How to clean costume jewelry
Dab a cloth into a sudsy solution of dish soap and water and gently wipe any smudges or grime.
Rinse with a cloth dampened in plain water. Because stones are often glued on rather than set, don't soak costume pieces in water or the glue could loosen and the “gems” could pop off.
Pat dry and lay the pieces upside down so moisture won't soak into the setting.
Other Jewelry Tips
To keep the settings grime-free, remove rings when washing your hands, applying beauty products, cleaning the house, or applying lotions.
Don’t wear jewelry while swimming — chlorine and salt water can damage it.
Get valuable jewelry checked regularly by a reputable jeweler to make sure the stones are in good shape and the settings are secure.
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