Few investments shine as brightly as jewelry. Keep your jewelry in top shape and it can be passed down for generations to come.
The best way to make jewelry last is to keep it clean. Take a look at these 5 easy ways to care for tarnished jewelry.
1. Baking Soda Paste
Tarnished jewelry is no match for a baking soda paste. The recipe involves mixing two parts baking soda and one part distilled water.
Using a soft cloth, lightly rub the paste onto the jewelry. Let it sit for a few minutes then rinse. Dry the jewelry completely using a microfiber towel or soft cloth.
If you don’t have baking soda on hand, cornstarch is a good alternative. Let the cornstarch mixture dry before removing the tarnish.
2. Lemon and Olive Oil
Lemon is one of the best natural cleaning ingredients. It’s a degreaser which is helpful when cleaning tarnished jewelry because it removes gunk and grime.
Mix a half cup of fresh lemon juice with a teaspoon of olive oil in a glass cup. Dip a soft cloth into the mixture and rub over your tarnished jewelry until it begins to shine.
Rinse off the lemon-oil mixture and dry with a microfiber cloth.
3. Vinegar and Baking Soda
If you don’t have lemons on hand, vinegar is another powerhouse cleaning product that cuts through dirt and grime. Combine a half cup of apple cider vinegar with two tablespoons of baking soda in a cup.
Drop-in your tarnished jewelry for at least 2 hours to soak off any buildup. Wipe clean and dry completely.
4. Non-Whitening Toothpaste
Another simple household product that can help keep your tarnished jewelry clean is non-whitening toothpaste. Toothpaste commonly includes ingredients like baking soda which helps to remove buildup from jewelry.
Dilute your toothpaste with water and gently brush away dirt and grime from your jewelry. use soft, circular strokes to get into crevices just as you would while brushing your teeth.
5. Long Tarnished Jewelry Pieces
If you’re cleaning long thin jewelry, consider a specialty cleaner that can reach deep into tiny crevices. Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners offer the deepest clean on jewelry of all sizes.
You can clean your jewelry alone or by adding all pieces together into one basket before adding to the ultrasonic cleaner. This is the best option when you have a large collection that needs regular cleaning.
Use this cleaner review for specific instructions on getting the most out of your ultrasonic cleaning routine. Set up a foil-lined baking sheet on the countertop next to your cleaner.
Lay a towel on top of the foil. This towel will capture excess liquid when you lay each piece out to dry after being cleaned.
How Long Does Tarnished Jewelry Last?
Tarnished jewelry can last for decades. But if you’re looking to maintain your jewelry as an heirloom, you’ll need to put in more work to keep it in top shape.
Clean your jewelry every few months to maintain its vibrance and keep it looking amazing for years to come. For more information and tips, visit our blog for updates.
