Do you ever look at your diamond ring and feel like it’s losing its sparkle? No, you aren’t going crazy. Like many things, your fine jewelry requires regular cleaning to maintain its shimmer and shine. And without regular cleaning, you might find that your jewelry piece that once captivated from across the room is beginning to appear lackluster and dull.
But have no fear, with a homemade solution, bringing back your wedding ring or favorite piece of jewelry’s dazzle is easy. Read on to discover the best DIY cleaners for every type of style in your jewelry box.
Also see our blogs on:
- Diamond Shape and Cut Chart
- Engagement Ring vs Wedding Ring
- 14k vs 18k Gold
What Is the Best Homemade Jewelry Cleaner?
Clean your jewelry in a jiff with a simple homemade jewelry cleaning solution. From diamond engagement rings to fine jewelry pieces, there are various cleaning concoctions that can be crafted using common household items.
The absolute gentlest and most accessible way to DIY your cleaning is with soap and water. This simple cleaner recipe calls for a small bowl, warm water, a soft-bristle toothbrush, and mild dish detergent. Simply mix a drop of mild dish soap into the bowl and allow your jewelry to sit for a few minutes. After sufficient soaking, use the toothbrush to remove any remaining dirt and grime. A toothpick can also be used to carefully remove stubborn build-up from crevices and filigree. Finally, place the piece somewhere safe on a soft cloth where it can air dry for later wear.
How to Clean Tarnished Jewelry
Unfortunately, every type of jewelry that isn’t made from 24k gold is suspectable to tarnish. This includes metals such as brass, gold, and sterling silver. Quality can impact how quickly a piece will tarnish, too. For example, a pair of high-quality earrings are less likely to tarnish and turn your ears green than their costume jewelry counterpart. You might be wondering, if and when your jewelry begins to tarnish, how can you clean it?
Luckily, there’s a quick DIY jewelry cleaner that works great on tarnished pieces. For this recipe, you’ll need an aluminum pan, a piece of aluminum foil, baking soda, and enough boiling water to cover the jewelry. First, place the aluminum foil and your jewelry into the pan. Then, sprinkle a coat of baking soda over the jewelry followed by the hot water which should cover the piece completely. Allow the mix to sit between two to three minutes for oxidation to occur, then blot the jewelry dry using a lint-free cloth, and voila, good as new.
How to Clean Silver Jewelry
Speaking of tarnish, if you’re a fan of sterling silver, you’ll want to invest in good silver polish to keep your jewelry looking its absolute best. Fret not if you don’t have any polish on hand, there’s always Amazon, and some of the best brands can be easily found online.
Alternatively, opt for an easy DIY cleaning hack. The first at-home method for cleaning silver is the dish soap cleaner discussed above. If you skipped that part, here’s a quick recap – dish soap + warm water = magic. Simply let your jewelry soak for a few minutes and remove the tarnish from your piece using a soft cloth. Then, for the best results, rinse with cool water and buff dry.
If you’re dealing with some heavy-duty tarnish, reach for the baking soda. Create a cleaning solution using three parts baking soda to one part water. Then, wet the silver and apply the paste using a soft, lint-free cloth. Clean until your piece sparkles, rinse well, and dry.
If all else fails, something as simple as toothpaste can do the trick. Squeeze a dab of white toothpaste onto your tarnished jewelry and scrub gently using your finger or a cloth. Again, rinse well and buff to shine and dry.
How to Clean Gold Jewelry
How to Clean Gemstones
Bringing the dazzle back to precious stones such as lab created diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires is easy. This homemade cleaning solution requires you to gather your trusty cup and dish soap, but this time, instead of using hot water, try mixing the soap with seltzer water. The carbonation from the sparkling water will work to loosen debris trapped in the stone’s setting and facets, resulting in ultimate sparkle.