Introduction
If you love wearing costume jewelry, you may have wondered how to clean it without damaging the delicate pieces. While commercial jewelry cleaner can do the job in a pinch, it can be costly and often harsh on sensitive materials, like rhinestones or gemstones. Fortunately, economical and gentle homemade solutions exist that will help you safely clean your costume jewelry naturally.
Before giving directions on how to actually clean costume jewelry naturally, let’s discuss some of the benefits of doing so. First and foremost, natural cleaning products are much more affordable than commercial cleaners. Another benefit is that these methods leave your jewelry looking shiny and new without fear of certain metals corroding or gems being damaged by too strong of a chemical solution. Finally, these home remedies allow for periodic maintenance that otherwise wouldn’t be possible with regular use of commercial jewelry cleaner.
Preparing for Cleaning
When you decide to clean costume jewelry, there are a few supplies that you need to have on hand first. The most important supplies are olive oil and white toothpaste. For the jewelry cleaning mixture, mix together equal parts of these two ingredients in a small bowl. Depending on how much costume jewelry you need to clean, adjust the proportions accordingly. Now you are ready to begin!
Cleaning Metal Pieces
Procedure: Start by creating a cleaning solution of one part warm water and one part mild dish soap. With a lint-free cloth, gently scrub your jewelry with the soapy solution. Rinse with warm water, gently pat dry, and allow your pieces to air dry.
Alternative Cleaning Methods: For costume jewelry that has tarnished or has not responded well to the above steps, you can use specific substances to further clean metal pieces. Make a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 cup of water; dip your piece into the solution for 30 seconds and then rinse with warm water. Other options may include white toothpaste or distilled white vinegar combined with baking soda for a paste-like consistency; gently rub the paste on metal pieces and rinse them off before air drying them.
Cleaning Gemstones
Costume jewelry can be made with a wide variety of gemstones, including diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. It is important to use the correct cleaning method for each specific type of stone. One key element when it comes to restoring costume jewelry to its original brilliance is the chemical-free solution used for cleaning.
Chemical-free solutions are easy and safe to use and will not damage the gems or settings. To start, fill a small bowl with warm soapy water and add a few drops of liquid soap. Using a toothbrush or soft cloth, gently scrub the jewelry in circular motions to clean buildup, dust or dirt on all surfaces of the piece including any prongs or settings. Once you have finished scrubbing, rinse thoroughly under running lukewarm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Another chemical-free solution to try is using a paste made from baking soda and lemon juice. Make a paste by combining 2 teaspoons baking soda with 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice until it forms a thick paste consistency. Taking care not to get this mixture on the gems or metal settings, apply the paste onto off surfaces with a soft cloth then rinse thoroughly and dry with another cloth.
Finally, for an extra sparkle you can follow up your cleaning methods with polishing cloths specifically formulated for polishing costume jewelry containing precious metals – gold and silver particularly – as well as stones such as diamonds while leaving colors intact on colored costume pieces including enameled designs. Gently buff away any residue left over from previous steps and restore shine to your costume jewelry!
Finishing Up
Once your costume jewelry has been fully soaked and its dirt and grime particles have been removed, it’s important to dry the jewelry properly. Be sure to put a towel or similar material on a flat surface, as this will make drying your jewelry much easier. Gently rub each piece with a soft cloth to remove any remaining moisture or oil. If necessary, you can use a hairdryer set at its lowest setting to further remove any water droplets.
Once your costume jewelry is fully dried, you may want to polish it back to its original luster. You can use either metal polish or sparkling agents specifically designed for cleaning costume jewelry available from most department stores. As always, be sure to read all directions carefully before using these types of solutions, as they can be quite strong and must be handled with care. Finally, when storing your costume jewelry it is best kept in an airtight container or bag away from direct sunlight and moisture which can damage the finish over time.
After-Care and Maintenance
In order to maintain the sparkle and shine of costume jewelry, it is important to follow a few simple tips. The first tip is to avoid soaking costume jewelry in any type of liquid. Some pieces may become discolored or corrode if they are allowed to stay submerged in water for an extended period of time. The second tip is to store costume jewelry in a separate pouch or box away from other pieces. Allowing jewelry pieces to rub up against each other can cause scratches and wear down their coating. Finally, it is important that you never use abrasive chemicals or harsh detergents on costume jewelry as this can leave behind marks or streaks and diminish its appearance.
For cleaning routine, we recommend wiping down surface dirt with a soft cloth and gentle soap solution. You should never scrub too hard as this might scratch the surface, nor should you use any harsh chemicals as this too might harm the piece. For an extra deep clean, baking soda and warm water is a great option – make a paste using baking soda & water then gently apply it around the edges of each piece and wipe off with a soft towel. Make sure not to leave any residue behind by fully rinsing each piece in warm water afterwards. For more delicate pieces such as those with small stones or gems, it is best to take themto get professionally cleaned at your local jeweler if needed.
Recap
When cleaning costume jewelry naturally, there are a few basic strategies to keep in mind. First, handwash costume jewelry with mild soap in warm water. After rinsing it off, use a soft cloth or cotton swab to gently dry the piece completely. If needed, buff with a soft toothbrush for pieces with intricate details. Second, make a cleaning solution of 1/4 cup of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda mixed into 1 cup of warm water to use as an all-purpose jewelry cleaner. Third, use a paste of baking soda and warm water hypoallergenic cleaner when dealing with heavily soiled items. This can be used to safely clean without scratching the surface. Finally, store costume jewelry in airtight bags after wearing and before cleaning to reduce exposure to surrounding dust and dirt particles. Following these steps should ensure your costume jewelry looks like new again!
Welcome to my jewelry blog! My name is Sarah and I am the owner of this blog.
I love making jewelry and sharing my creations with others.
So whether you’re someone who loves wearing jewelry yourself or simply enjoys learning about it, be sure to check out my blog for insightful posts on everything related to this exciting topic!
