Home Remedies for Cleaning Jewelry

The need for effective home remedies for cleaning jewelry has never been greater. Now that COVID-19 has made it complicated to take your precious pieces in for professional cleaning, you need a safe backup plan. What’s more, the increased use in hand sanitizer means your jewelry will likely need more frequent cleanings. The alcohol in sanitizer can be rough on precious stones and metals such as gold.

Good news: there are several ways you can make your best jewelry shine and sparkle like new at home. Even better, you probably have all or most of the things you need in your pantry and under the kitchen sink.

Here’s a quick look at a few of our favorite home remedies for cleaning jewelry:

Cleaning Jewelry with Baking Soda

Combining hot water and baking soda makes an effective jewelry cleaner for silver jewelry. Add 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda to one cup of warm water, then let your rings soak. Or, you can combine three teaspoons of baking soda with one teaspoon of water to make a paste, then apply to your silver rings using a microfiber cloth to remove tarnish.

Once your rings have soaked or you’ve wiped away any buildup, rinse the rings clean to remove the baking soda mixture.  

Cleaning Jewelry with Dish Soap

Dish soap is an inexpensive and effective way to remove dirt and grime from your jewelry. We love original Dawn dish soap, as it’s safe and gentle on your expensive jewelry. Plus, you only need a small drop of dish soap for maximum cleaning power.

Add the dish soap to a cup of warm (not hot) water, then add your jewelry to the mixture. Let your jewelry sit for a few minutes, then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub away the grime. 

Rinse the jewelry with lukewarm water to avoid any major temperature changes. Most precious gems don’t respond well to sudden temperature fluctuations.

Cleaning Jewelry with Toothpaste

Toothpaste can be an effective jewelry cleaner for silver and gold pieces, but you won’t want to use it on your pearls or opals. Toothpaste is too abrasive on these gems and can cause them to lose their luster. 

But for your everyday silver or gold, toothpaste is a go. It’s just like using it to scrub away stains from your teeth, except this time we’re talking about tarnish on your silver. To use it as a jewelry cleaner, add it to a soft bristle toothbrush and start gently scrubbing away. The toothbrush helps get into the small cracks and crevices that a rag might not reach. 

When you’re done, simply rinse away the toothpaste with clean water and wipe with a cloth. 

Home remedies can be an excellent in-between cleaning method when you can’t visit your local jeweler. Which of these home remedies for cleaning jewelry are you most excited to try?