A Quick Guide to Natural Jewelry Cleaner

Natural Jewelry Cleaner: Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve ever purchased a jewelry cleaning solution from the store, you probably noticed a few red flags immediately. Maybe the jewelry cleaner smelled of harsh chemicals when you opened the package. Perhaps you couldn’t pronounce any of the product’s ingredients. Maybe the packaging had an ample warning right on the side to keep it away from pets and children.

Is that really what you want to use to clean your jewelry? Not only are your precious pieces valuable, delicate, and susceptible to damage, but they’re also something you may wear daily, in direct contact with your skin. Why risk exposing yourself and your favorite jewelry to something harsh and unnatural?

Enter natural jewelry cleaner. There’s genuinely no need for the store-bought stuff. You can effectively clean your jewelry at home using homemade jewelry cleaner crafted from safe ingredients located right in your pantry.

What Cleans Jewelry Naturally?

There’s a wealth of perfectly safe household products that you can use to clean jewelry, including:

• Baking soda
• Aluminum foil
• Mild dish soap
• Hydrogen peroxide

Pair these with hot water, an old soft toothbrush, a paper towel, and a soft cloth, and you often have everything you need to restore the shine and luster of your favorite jewelry.

However, certain types of jewelry require specific cleaning methods. The method you choose will depend on factors such as the type of jewelry, whether or not it contains porous stones, precious metals used, and more.

How to Clean Silver Jewelry with an All-Natural Jewelry Cleaner

If you’re dealing with sterling silver jewelry or silver-plated jewelry, here’s how to naturally clean silver jewelry at home.

1. Mix a few drops of a natural or mild dish detergent with warm water.
2. Let your jewelry soak in the mixture for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Clean the jewelry with a soft bristle toothbrush.
4. Rinse the jewelry in clean water.
5. Dry the clean jewelry with a microfiber towel.

For silver jewelry, avoid drying with paper towels.

Still not getting the level of cleaning you want? You can also use the baking soda and aluminum foil cleaning method for tarnished silver.

1. Line a bowl with a sheet of aluminum foil.
2. Lay the silver jewelry in a neat, single layer atop the foil.
3. Add a few tablespoons of baking soda and cover with hot water.
4. Soak the jewelry until the tarnish is gone. You can replenish the hot water as needed.
5. Carefully remove the jewelry and rinse with clean water.

How to Clean Gold Jewelry with a DIY Jewelry Cleaner

The process for cleaning gold jewelry is much the same.

Mix a mild or natural dishwashing liquid with warm water.

1. Soak the jewelry for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Use a soft toothbrushto gently rub the jewelry clean.
3. Blot excess water away with a clean cloth.
4. Allow the jewelry to air dry.

How to Clean Pearl or Opal Jewelry with an All-Natural Jewelry Cleaner Recipe

It’s easy to damage pearl and opal jewelry if you’re not careful. However, you can still clean pearl and opal jewelry at home using a gentle cleaning method similar to the above.

1. Create a homemade cleaner by mixing warm water and gentle dish soap.
2. Use a damp, gentle cloth to wipe the jewelry with the homemade cleaner.
3. Use a Q-tip to clean difficult-to-reach spots.
4. Rinse the jewelry thoroughly.
5. Dry it with a microfiber towel.

Do not allow these types of jewelry to soak in a cleaning solution, like silver or gold jewelry. Additionally, you may want to avoid using a soft brush to clean pearls or opals to prevent scratching.

How to Clean Diamond Jewelry Using a Homemade Jewelry Cleaner

Whether you’re cleaning a diamond necklace or an engagement ring, the proper methods will return your diamonds’ shine. To clean a diamond ring or other diamond jewelry:

1. Mix warm water with a gentle dish soap.
2. Soak the diamond jewelry in the mixture for 20 to 40 minutes.
3. Use a soft toothbrush to clean the jewelry of any debris.
4. Allow the jewelry to air dry.
5. Once the diamond jewelry has air dried, polish it to perfection with a soft cloth.

Do not dry diamond jewelry with a paper towel.

How to Clean Costume Jewelry with an At-Home Jewelry Cleaner

Yes, even cheap costume jewelry needs proper care and maintenance if you want it to last longer. To clean costume jewelry:

1. Carefully examine each piece for damage, like missing stones or chipped paint. If there is, avoid cleaning those specific areas.
2. Wipe the jewelry in slow, circular motions using a cleaning cloth and homemade jewelry cleaner made from warm water and gentle dish soap.
3. Use a Q-tip to clean difficult-to-reach spots or apply pressure to particularly grimy spots.
4. Rinse the jewelry in room-temperature water.
5. Let the pieces air dry on an absorbent cloth, then blot excess water with a paper towel.

Do not submerge costume jewelry in water or a cleaning solution.

What if the Above Best Homemade Jewelry Cleaner Options Aren’t Working?

If the above solutions aren’t working, it may be time to see the professionals. A professional jeweler can advise on the safest and most natural methods of jewelry cleaning for your specific pieces, whether that means using a professional ultrasonic jewelry cleaner or another method.

Cleaning Jewelry FAQs

What is a natural jewelry cleaner?

A natural jewelry cleaner does not use harsh chemicals, which could damage your jewelry.

What is the best natural jewelry cleaner?

The best natural jewelry cleaner is often simply a mixture of warm water and mild soap.

How do you keep jewelry cleaner and longer?

If you take care of your jewelry properly, such as by storing it in a jewelry box when not in use, not exposing it to dirt or sweat, and keeping it away from cosmetics and similar products, you’ll find that the jewelry remains cleaner longer, so you don’t need to use a jewelry cleaner that’s homemade quite as often.

Is a homemade ring cleaner effective for engagement rings?

Typically! Most engagement rings feature gold or silver, plus diamonds, which all can be cleaned using a gentle mixture of warm water and mild dish soap.

Can you use vinegar to clean jewelry?

While vinegar is a popular all-natural cleaning product, it’s unsafe for jewelry. The acidity can quickly damage your jewelry.

Need More?

Now you know how to clean some of the most popular types of jewelry at home! For more tips, tricks, and advice related to jewelry care, check out the BriteCo blog.

While you’re there, look at our comprehensive coverage options, which are here to help if your favorite jewelry pieces are lost, stolen, or damaged. You can get your quick coverage quote in seconds.

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