Introduction to Jewelry Cleaners

There’s a good chance that all of your jewelry, from the simple pieces you wear every day to the ornate ones you save for special occasions, could use good polish. While some people clean their jewelry frequently, others don’t clean it at all. It’s best to use caution when cleaning your jewelry because ornaments are wearable and can be delicate. Too much rinsing and rubbing can result in unneeded damage and premature wear, and not enough cleaning can result in the gradual deterioration of your prized possessions. Various things need to be taken into account depending on the type of jewelry. Here are some methods and pointers for keeping your jewelry safe and gorgeous.

How to Clean Your Diamond Ring

Here are a few techniques you can use to clean your diamond ring and restore its luster.

Woman's Hands Cleaning Diamond Ring With Toothbrush and Soap

Method 1: Use Dish Soap

Dish soap is a typical household cleaning solution that can be used to clean your diamond ring. A small bowl of warm water should have one to two drops of dish soap in it. Place your diamond ring in this bowl, then stir it around. To remove any dirt and grime gently, use a soft-bristled brush. after which dry with a soft cloth after rinsing in cool water.

Method 2: Use Jewelry Clean

To clean your diamond ring, you can also use jewelry cleaner. To ensure that the jewelry cleaner you choose is safe to use on diamonds, check the label. Each jewelry cleaner contains substances that, if applied to the wrong stone, could cause discoloration or reduce the durability of the jewelry.

Method 3: Use an Ultrasonic Cleaning Machine

If you don’t want to clean diamond rings yourself, there is a professional method for doing so. It’s best to locate a reliable, nearby jeweler who can give your jewelry a thorough ultrasonic cleaning. Cleaning this way on your own is not advised because using an ultrasonic cleaning machine incorrectly could result in loose stones, missing stones, or even damage.

How Often Should You Clean Your Diamond Ring

The frequency of cleaning your diamond ring will depend on the cleaning method you select.

For Method 1: Dish Soap

If you choose to use dish soap to clean your ring, you should make sure to do so frequently. You quickly accumulate lotions, sweat, and cooking oils when you wear your ring every day. You should use the dish soap cleaning method at least every two weeks to prevent discoloration or buildup.

For Method 2: Jewelry Cleaner

You will need to clean your ring once a month if you decide to use an effective jewelry-cleaning solution. Compared to dish soap, this offers a more thorough cleaning. Before using any jewelry solution, be sure to consider the ring’s setting, metal type, and gemstones. Do your research or consult a reputable jeweler before deciding because selecting the incorrect course of action can result in ring damage.

For Method 3: Ultrasonic Cleaning Machine

It is best to visit your local jeweler (or drop it off for cleaning) every six months if you choose to use professional ultrasonic cleaning. Then you can be sure that a professional will inspect it for any loose stones or discoloration and can thoroughly clean it using tools like ultrasonic equipment that you wouldn’t have at home.

Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaners

A goldsmith cleans newly polished gold rings in an ultrasonic bath. Sound waves generated in the liquid dislodge particles from the metal

The best cleaners for cleaning jewelry are ultrasonic cleaners. These are electronic devices that produce vacuum bubbles that “cling” to particles like dirt, oil, and other unidentified substances using high-frequency sound waves and chemicals. Cavitation is the name of this process. The contaminants are removed from the objects by the waves. Following their attachment to the contaminants, the bubbles eventually deflate, allowing the surrounding liquid to fill their former space. Ultrasonic cleaners are very effective because of this microscopic scrubbing action created.

Using one may require different instructions depending on the model, but in general, follow these steps:

  • Make the cleaning agent. Fill the tank with water, then add a tablespoon of ammonia and a few drops of dishwashing liquid to make one. However, it’s best to use the jewelry cleaning solution the model recommends if it works well with the gadget. Or you could just use a reliable jewelry cleaning solution.
  • Turn on the ultrasonic cleaner before adding your jewelry to the solution. Before starting to place the item you want to clean, let it run for at least 5 to 10 minutes. This will enable the system to heat and mix thoroughly. A few models already have heaters inside. It’s crucial to keep the water from boiling. Just adjust it to the appropriate temperature.
  • Place each piece of jewelry in the tank one at a time. Put your jewelry in pieces rather than all at once to prevent scratches. Allow the device to run for the specified number of minutes.
  • After cleaning is complete, turn the cleaner off. Before taking your jewelry out of the tank, give it five to ten minutes to sit. Use a brush to remove any remaining dirt from the jewelry.
  • Lastly, rinse the jewelry with water to remove any remaining cleaner residue. After that, use a soft, lint-free cloth to dry the pieces.

How to Clean Gold Jewelry

Woman hands cleaning and polishing golden jewelry at home. Top view

Because gold is a very soft metal, normal use can dent and scratch it. To increase their durability, many solid gold jewelry pieces are made from 18K or 14K gold and alloyed with harder metals like copper, zinc, or platinum. But these alloys can react with chemicals, water, and the environment, tarnishing your gold jewelry.

Chemical cleaners, makeup, skin cells, and sebum can all cause layers of debris to accumulate, dulling the shine of your gold jewelry and possibly causing corrosion.

Your jewelry can be polished and cleaned by a jeweler to make it look brand new once more using tools like an ultrasonic cleaner. If you are unable to have your jewelry cleaned by a professional regularly, preventative cleaning and maintenance can be done at home to keep your gold jewelry looking beautiful.

Cleaning your Gold Jewelry

You might need to clean your gold or gold-plated jewelry once a week, depending on how frequently you wear it. Keeping gold-plated jewelry clean

Here are the supplies:

  • Warm water
  • A soft-bristled toothbrush
  • Dish soap 
  • Ammonia (a few drops); not recommended for white gold jewelry
  • A soft cloth or lint-free cloth are all necessary cleaning supplies.

Step 1: 

Warm water is combined with a few drops of ammonia and dish soap. If your gold jewelry is particularly dirty, let it soak for 5 to 10 minutes. If the piece contains emeralds, coral, opals, wood, or bone, avoid submerging it. Porous surfaces can absorb water and cleaning agents, changing their structure and color permanently.

Step 2:

Use the toothbrush to scrub the item gently and to get into tight spaces. Allow your gold jewelry to air dry after blotting away any excess moisture with a lint-free cloth.

Step 3:

Once the item has dried, you can polish it and remove watermarks with a polishing cloth. Usually, metal protectors like micro-abrasives and an anti-tarnish sealant are added to polishing cloths. To make the jewelry shine, gently rub it in small circular motions.

Maintaining the Cleanliness of Gold Jewelry

Hands polishing a gold vintage watch with soft tissue

Use these suggestions along with routine jewelry cleaning to keep your pieces looking new and maintaining their value.

1. Remove gold jewelry before engaging in strenuous activity

Sweat has a pH of 6.3, which is slightly acidic and can corrode gold jewelry. 

2. Avoid donning gold jewelry in hot tubs and pools that contain chlorine

Microscopic bubbles form when chlorine leeches metals from gold alloys like zinc and nickel. Your gold jewelry may become more fragile and breakable as a result.

3. Steer clear of harsh chemicals

While wearing white gold jewelry, cleaning with harsh chemicals like ammonia or abrasive cleaners can take the rhodium plating off. Additionally, these cleaners have the potential to scratch or harm settings and gemstones. 

4. Take off your jewelry before taking a bath

Wearing gold jewelry while bathing or showering may cause soap residue to accumulate. If you reside in a region with hard water, calcium and magnesium deposits may form on your jewelry, leaving water stains.

5. As you’re getting ready, put your jewelry on last

Cosmetics, skincare, skin care products, and hair styling products all contain chemicals that have the potential to tarnish gold jewelry or leave a sticky residue on the surface. Reduce the amount of exposure by putting your jewelry on last. 

6. Maintain proper jewelry storage

Always keep your gold jewelry in a cool, dry location after wearing and cleaning it. Use a travel roll or jewelry box that is lined with felt or velvet. To avoid them rubbing or scratching one another, keep each piece separated from the others in a jewelry cabinet.

Maintaining the Cleanliness of Pearl Jewelry

Jeweler cleaning jewelry pearl earrings with fabric cloth

The following pointers will help you enjoy your pearl jewelry for years to come while keeping it shiny and vibrant:

Put on your pearl jewelry last.

When getting dressed, be sure to put on your pearl jewelry last. Your pearls may be exposed to harmful chemicals through the use of hairsprays, lotions, perfumes, and makeup, which may cause dullness or even permanent damage depending on the chemical.

Keep your pearls in a jewelry box lined with fabric or non-abrasive fabric.

Pearls are organic, so over time, their color may turn yellow. You should keep your pearls in non-abrasive fabric or a jewelry box lined with fabric to prevent this. A damp cloth can be placed with the pearls to keep them moist. Be sure to move the pearls away from heat sources.

Homemade DIY At-Home Jewelry Cleaners

There are methods for cleaning your jewelry at home if you would rather not buy a commercial jewelry cleaner. Depending on the kind of jewelry you want to clean, you should make your cleaner.

Cleaning gold and silver jewelry. Cleaning women's jewelry concept

For Gold Jewelry

You can clean gold jewelry with a mixture of lukewarm water and a few drops of dish soap. To soften any dirt or grime that may have gotten underneath your gold jewelry, soak it in warm water for 5–20 minutes, depending on its size. To remove any dirt that might be on the gold, use a soft toothbrush that has been dampened. Then use a soft cloth to dry the piece.

For Silver Jewelry

You can use Dawn dish soap to clean silver jewelry by combining it with warm water. To clean the silver and get rid of any extra tarnish or dirt, dampen a soft cloth in the solution. After that, wash it off with cool water and buff dry with a soft cloth. If you’re dealing with a heavier amount of tarnish, you can also try using baking soda. Wet the silver, then apply a solution of three parts baking soda to one part water using a soft, lint-free cloth.

Start by cleaning the crevices, and after cleaning, thoroughly rinse and buff-dry the silver. Another at-home cleaning solution for silver is toothpaste. Tarnish can be easily removed with toothpaste. All you have to do is gently rub your tarnished silver with a soft cloth or your finger after applying a small dab of white toothpaste. Warm water should be used to rinse and buff dry the silver.

For Gemstones Such as Diamonds, Rubies, Emeralds, and Sapphires Set in Gold

You can clean gold jewelry that is set with gemstones like diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires like cleaning gold jewelry, with a few minor exceptions. You can make your cleaning solution by combining dish soap and seltzer water. The carbonation enables a more thorough cleaning to eliminate stuck soil or dirt that is difficult to remove from the jewelry. After brushing your stones with a soft toothbrush, rinse them off by dipping them in clear water. After that, buff-dry your jewelry.

For Pearls

Pearls easily lose their luster due to their porous nature, which allows them to adhere to dirt and dust. You must carefully clean them whether they are genuine, fake, or cultural. First rule: Never soak pearls because doing so could weaken and break the string.

Start by placing the pearl strand on a soft cloth before cleaning them. Warm water and a small amount of gentle shampoo are combined with a clean, small makeup brush. Shake off any extra solution, then thoroughly coat each pearl. Finally, use a clean, damp cloth that has been well-wrung to rinse the pearls. To stop the string from stretching, let the strand dry flatly.

Conclusion

This is a guide to jewelry cleaners that you need to maintain the quality of your pieces of jewelry while also keeping them clean. Take notes on the tips and techniques, as doing so will help your expensive possession last longer.