When it comes to caring for your jewelry, proper cleaning is just as important as storing it properly. Dirty jewelry can attract and collect dust, grime, oil and other debris over time, leading to a dull appearance or even discoloration. A good jewelry cleaner can help to lift this residue, leaving behind a brighter, more vibrant piece of finery. While there are plenty of commercially available jewelry cleaners, it’s also possible to clean your fine pieces at home using a variety of household items.
The best jewelry cleaner for you depends on the type of piece you’re trying to clean, its material and any delicate components it may contain. A professional jeweler can be especially helpful in determining what sort of cleaner is best for your heirlooms, as well as how often you should clean them to keep them looking their very best.
While many people try to get a little bit of dirt off their jewelry with paper towels and tweezers, these tools can actually be quite damaging. Even the most durable metals can be scratched by these hard objects, and softer gems like pearls or opals can be chipped by rough surfaces. Instead, it’s a good idea to invest in some soft-bristled brushes, as they can easily remove stubborn tarnish and other residue while being very gentle on your jewelry.
One of the most effective homemade jewelry cleaners is a mixture of baking soda and water. When mixed into a paste, this cleaner can be rubbed into any crevices or detailed areas of your jewelry. You can then let the jewelry soak for a few hours before thoroughly rinsing and drying it. This is a particularly effective jewelry cleaner for silver jewelry, but it can be used on gold and other metals as well.
Another simple but effective way to clean your jewelry is to use a regular glass cleaner. This method works best on more durable metals and gemstones, as the chemicals in many glass cleaners can be harmful to soft gems or plated materials. Just be sure to carefully follow the label guidelines on your glass cleaner as some products are formulated to only work on specific types of jewelry.
There are a number of commercially available jewelry cleaners that you can purchase at your local store. The ones that we reviewed include a silver cleaner, a general jewelry cleaner and a solution that is specifically formulated for diamonds. We also tested a sonic jewelry cleaner, which uses vibration-like waves to penetrate deep into the cracks and crannies of your jewelry for a more thorough clean.
The winner of our best jewelry cleaner is Shinery’s jewelry wash. This gentle and effective solution is a favorite of several members of the Shop TODAY team and was included in Oprah’s 2023 list of favorites. It’s recommended to apply this wash to your jewelry just like you would a regular hand soap, and it can be used on all kinds of jewelry, including earrings and heirloom rings.
