Using a jewelry cleaner to clean your jewelry is a simple way to keep your jewelry looking new. But, it is important to make sure that you use the proper cleaner for your particular type of jewelry. Some of the common cleaners contain ingredients that can damage or strip the finishes on your jewelry. For example, many of the commercially available jewelry cleaning products contain strong acids and alkaline compounds that can damage metals. You may be able to find an all natural solution that is more gentle on your jewelry.
When you are ready to start cleaning your jewelry, you will need a soft cloth and a small bowl. The size of the bowl will depend on the size of the piece you are cleaning. If you are cleaning a large amount of jewelry at once, you may want to purchase a larger container. This will allow you to re-use the jewelry cleaner several times. You should also label the container so that you know what you have in the cleaning solution.
For most metals, a solution of half a cup of vinegar and half a cup of water can be used to clean your jewelry. This will remove general grime and stains. You will need to let the solution sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off. You should only rinse your jewelry with cold water as hot water can damage your metals.
You can also clean jewelry with baking soda. It will also lift tarnish and basic oils. However, you should be careful with this because it can scratch softer stones. If you are unsure, you can have a professional look at your jewelry before you attempt to clean it. If you want to use baking soda to clean your jewelry, you should place it in a container lined with aluminum foil. This will protect your jewelry from being harmed by the chemicals in the baking soda.
You can also purchase a jewelry cleaning solution at your local store. Some of the solutions are safe to use on diamonds and precious stones, while others are more harsh. You will need to test the cleaning solution on a small piece of jewelry first to be sure that it is safe to clean your jewelry.
You can also make your own jewelry cleaning solution. For a stronger cleaner, you can combine two tablespoons of baking soda with one tablespoon of salt. You can also add one drop of tea tree oil to the baking soda mixture.
It is important to note that the more acidic the jewelry cleaner is, the more likely that it will scratch your jewelry. For example, an ammonia solution is safe for precious stones, but it can cause problems for pearls and other delicate jewelry. Regardless of the type of jewelry cleaner you choose, it is best to rinse your jewelry before storage. It is always a good idea to avoid storing jewelry in areas where air can oxidize metals.
