Tarnished or dull jewelry: discover ways to clean your pieces and make them shine again
Bracelets, earrings, rings, anklets, necklaces: we all love to finish our look using jewelry and accessories of all kinds. Some never leave us and others that we take out of the jewelry box only on certain special occasions. By dint of wearing them, however, all types of metal - from the most precious to the cheapest - end up becoming dull (and could even become badly tarnished).
Precious metals deserve proper care, but in the case of less expensive items - perhaps those with less valuable alloys (often collectively called "costume jewelry") - it is usually sufficient to use simple DIY methods to clean them and get them shine again. Read on to find out more:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste: Moisten the bristles of an old toothbrush and put a bit of toothpaste on it. Rub on a very small and inconspicuous portion of the jewelry, and check the effect. It is usually safe on most metals, but it is always good to check first to see if it is too "aggressive". You can then quickly rinse the piece off and dry it immediately with a soft dry cloth.
- Toothbrush and delicate hand soap: proceed in the same way, using very little soap and a drop of water. Always be careful and, as with any do-it-yourself method, test it first on an inconspicuous part of the item to be cleaned.
- Delicate dishwashing liquid: if it is an organic and delicate product, you can use this to remove a film of greasy dirt, (as sometimes happens on objects that remain in contact with skin and sweat for some time).
- White vinegar: mix two tablespoons in a bowl of hot water, soak the items to be cleaned for 10 minutes, then use a toothbrush to gently scrub the surfaces and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
- Lemon juice: used in a similar way to vinegar, but mixing it with water in equal parts. Never exceed 10 minutes of soaking.
In the case of precious metals - especially if purchased at from a famous jeweler (or brand) - always check if their customer support provides cleaning services of their pieces for free (some bigger brands do).
In any case, great results are often obtained simply by rubbing the metal for a while with soft cloths that are used specifically for silverware. Alternatively, use soft microfiber cloths, such as those that often come with jewelry or sunglasses and reading glasses.
What is your favorite method for taking care of your jewelry?
