Club soda is the most common solution recommended for jewelry, that includes both precious metals and crystalline gemstones, from emeralds and sapphires to diamonds and rubies. But there are plenty of other natural way to bring new life to your antique jewelry.
One thing you should always remember when you’re using different ways to clean your jewelry at home is that submerging costume jewelry in liquids can be risky. You’re better off cleaning them with a mild soap without getting them too wet. However, here are plenty of solutions for jewelry that includes set stones as opposed to glued ones.
Give Them a Brush
Using an old toothbrush and your regular toothpaste can help you out with most jewelry, but it’s particularly useful for gold and crystalline gemstones. However, this isn’t recommended for jewelry with amorphous gemstones, including opal and amber. Also, try to use a toothpaste that doesn’t include abrasive microbeads.
Try Baking Soda
One of the simplest ways to clean your jewelry at home involves baking soda. It can work wonders for silver and gold jewelry, but it’s not recommended for pieces with pearls or gemstones. Make a paste using 4 tablespoons of baking soda and 2 of water. Rub it gently, then rinse your jewelry and buff it to get a beautiful finish.
Use White Vinegar
Combining white vinegar with baking soda makes for an even more powerful natural cleaning agent. For gold, it’s recommended that you mix the apply the baking soda on the solid metal jewelry, then pour vinegar on it and rinse. For pure silver, you can actually let your jewelry soak in a mixture of 8 tablespoons white vinegar and 2 of baking soda. Use cold water to rinse and dry or buff them with a soft fabric.
Experiment with Ion Exchange
One of the classic ways to clean your jewelry at home involves a chemical process called ion exchange. You’ll need aluminum foil and a single tablespoon of a powdered laundry detergent that’s does not contain bleach. Line a bowl with the aluminum foil, fill it with hot water and add the detergent. Your jewelry only needs to soak in it for around 60 seconds.
Squeeze Some Ketchup
Silver jewelry can also be cleaned with a little ketchup. For simple metallic jewelry with smooth surfaces, all you need to do is submerge it in ketchup for 3-4 minutes. When you’re trying to clean more detailed pieces, use a toothbrush to spread the ketchup evenly and make sure it gets into every crevice. Rinse with cold water and your silver jewelry will look shiny again.
Add Some Beer
When you’re dealing with gold pieces without any kind of stones, beer can be one of the best ways to clean your jewelry at home. You’ll need a blonde ale, since dark ones can stain your jewelry. Simply pour on one soft cloth to clean them, and use a second one to dry them.
Use Ammonia
For a more drastic cleaning, you can use ammonia for gold and silver jewelry. It’s also useful for crystalline gemstone, but never for amorphous ones or pearls. Use three cups of water for one cup of clear ammonia to make sure you won’t harm your jewelry, and don’t let them soak in the solution for more than 10 minutes. Use a soft cloth dry them after the soak.
Pour Some Vodka
Gold and silver jewelry can also benefit from a little vodka bath. You can also use jewelry with crystalline gemstones. In one of the easiest ways to clean your jewelry at home, simply submerge it for a few minutes in a glass of vodka.
Try a Gentle Shampoo
Pearls and other amorphous stones, including turquoise and opal, can be cleaned in the best way with a solution of warm water and a mild shampoo. For strings of pearls, use a soft makeup brush to clean each one individually, then rinse with a wet cloth. Always make sure that you leave them to dry in a horizontal position, otherwise the wet string might stretch.
Use Window Cleaner
One of the most straight forward ways ways to clean your jewelry at home, window cleaner does contain ammonia, so it’s only recommended for crystalline gemstones, along with gold and silver. Simply spray it on, and use a toothbrush to clean your jewelry.
