How to Clean Jewelry—The 411
While some people prefer to take their jewelry to marketed “experts,” jewelry upkeep is quite easy to DIY. A quick search will come up with iterations of this recipe from Martha Stewart:
“The most tried-and-true, gentle way to clean fine jewelry is to do so at home using this DIY solution: a dish, lukewarm water, a soft bristle toothbrush, and some mild dish detergent. The milder the soap, the better. To make the DIY jewelry cleaner, Mix a drop of dish soap in a bowl with some lukewarm water.”
With that, here are a few quick tips:
- Keep gemstone jewelry away from direct sunlight
- Switch up what you wear often
- Store gold and silver jewelry separately
- Keep an anti-tarnish cloth handy
- For intricate designs, try using a toothpick or unwaxed dental floss to get the gunk out
The beauty of Cove Jewelry, especially with our gold collection, is that we’ve created the line to be water and sweat-resistant. You can wear your jewelry for extended periods without having to pay too much attention to how long you’ve been wearing it.
Technique Is Everything When You’re Learning How to Clean Jewelry
Cleaning jewelry is a delicate balance between being too rough and too gentle. Your technique will depend on the metal, the style, whether there are gemstones and detailing, and so forth.
You Can Never Be Too Careful
If you opt to shop for something labeled as “jewelry cleaner,” be mindful of the ingredients to ensure they won’t cause your gemstones and metals to tarnish or erode.
In terms of preventative measures, avoiding regular encounters with water, soap, makeup, and any harsh substances (i.e., cleaners) is the best thing you can do to protect your jewelry. Store jewelry properly, keep silver away from other pieces and metals, and store gold and silver in cases, pouches, or boxes lined in felt to minimize moisture and any possibility of tarnishing.
With earrings, use the same guidelines for the solution we shared above, and try to get in the habit of removing and cleaning them and your piercings often if not daily. By nature, piercings are prone to bacteria and infection, so it’s worth your while to take closer care of them. Piercing cleaner or wound wash is most appropriate here.
Lend a Helping Hand Where You Can
Once you’ve reached the status of “professional jewelry cleaner,” set an example for your little ones. It’s an easy way to teach them responsibility and how to take care of their things.
Plus, we have the most darling range of mommy & me matching sets for you and the Cove Jewelry cutie in your life!
Shop Easy, Effortless, Low-Maintenance Jewelry from Cove Jewelry
We create timeless, affordable pieces for all ages, from infants to grandmas and everyone in between. Upgrade your jewelry collection with high-quality pieces from our little jewelry box.
Find the perfect pieces for you, your loved ones, or your little ones at Cove Jewelry.