How to Clean Your Jewelry at Home

How to Clean Your Jewelry at Home (Without Damaging It)

Jewelry isn't just something we wear—it holds stories. It marks milestones. It becomes part of our identity.

So when it starts to look dull or worn, it doesn’t just feel like a fashion issue—it feels personal.

At She Adorns, we specialize in meaningful, custom jewelry made in Bangkok, and we know how important it is to keep those pieces looking their best. While professional cleanings are always a good idea (especially for intricate pieces or valuable stones), you don’t need to rush to a jeweler every time your ring loses its sparkle.

With the right care, you can clean most of your jewelry at home—safely, gently, and effectively.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through:

  • The best at-home cleaning methods for different types of jewelry
  • What to avoid (seriously—don’t use toothpaste)
  • How often to clean your pieces
  • When it’s time to call in a pro

Let’s help your favorite pieces shine—again.

1. Why Clean Your Jewelry at All?

We wear jewelry close to our skin. That means it’s constantly exposed to:

  • Sweat
  • Lotion
  • Perfume
  • Dust
  • Soap
  • Natural skin oils

Over time, these build up and leave a dull film on your jewelry. Not only does this make pieces look less sparkly, but in some cases, buildup can weaken settings or trap moisture that can corrode the metal.

Regular cleaning:

  • Restores shine and brilliance
  • Helps maintain the strength of prongs and clasps
  • Prevents long-term damage
  • Keeps your jewelry feeling fresh and luxurious

In short? Clean jewelry isn’t just pretty. It’s healthy.

2. What You’ll Need (Basic Home Jewelry Cleaning Kit)

Before you start, gather these gentle, non-abrasive supplies:

  • A small bowl of lukewarm water
  • A few drops of mild dish soap (no bleach, alcohol, or moisturizers)
  • A soft-bristle toothbrush (baby toothbrushes are ideal)
  • A lint-free cloth or jewelry polishing cloth
  • A soft microfiber towel for drying

Optional:

  • A strainer or fine mesh sieve to avoid losing small items
  • Baking soda or vinegar (used carefully, for specific pieces only—more on that later)

3. General Rule: Know Your Materials First

Not all jewelry can be cleaned the same way. The biggest mistake people make is using one method for all materials.

Here’s a breakdown of common jewelry types and what they need:

Material Cleaning Method Avoid
Gold Soapy water + soft brush Harsh chemicals, abrasives
Platinum Soapy water + polish cloth Chlorine
Silver Baking soda paste or silver polish Humid storage
Diamonds Dish soap + warm water Toothpaste, bleach
Pearls Damp cloth only Submersion, heat, soap
Gemstones (sapphire, ruby, etc.) Dish soap + soft brush Acids, ultrasonic cleaners
Costume jewelry Damp cloth (carefully) Soaking, harsh cleaning

If you got your piece from She Adorns, we can also provide custom care instructions for your specific item—just ask!

4. The Gentle Method (Works for Most Jewelry)

This is the safest method for most solid gold, platinum, and diamond pieces.

Step-by-Step:

  1. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap into a bowl of lukewarm water.

  2. Soak your jewelry for 10–20 minutes (not for porous gems like opals or pearls).

  3. Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush, especially around prongs and under stones.

  4. Rinse under lukewarm water. Use a fine mesh strainer to catch small pieces.

  5. Dry thoroughly with a microfiber cloth. Air dry if needed.

✅ Safe for: most custom jewelry made of gold, platinum, and hard gemstones
🚫 Not ideal for: pearls, turquoise, opals, vintage pieces with glue settings

5. Silver Jewelry: Combat Tarnish the Smart Way

Silver is beautiful—but it loves to tarnish.

If your silver piece is looking dull or darkened, here’s how to bring it back to life:

Option 1: Baking Soda Paste

  1. Mix 2 parts baking soda with 1 part water into a paste.
  2. Apply gently using a soft cloth or brush.
  3. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Option 2: Commercial Silver Polish

If the baking soda method doesn’t restore the shine, use a silver-specific polishing cloth or solution (available at most jewelry stores).

💡 Pro Tip: Store silver in anti-tarnish bags or cloths to slow down future tarnishing.

6. Pearls and Delicates: Clean Without Damage

Pearls, opals, emeralds, and vintage pieces need extra TLC. These stones are porous and sensitive to moisture and heat.

To clean pearls:

  1. Wipe them with a damp, lint-free cloth after wearing.
  2. If deeper cleaning is needed, dip the cloth in a mixture of mild soap and water, then wipe and dry immediately.

🚫 Never soak pearls or scrub them with a brush.
🚫 Avoid storing them in plastic or airtight containers—they need a bit of air circulation.

7. Quick Fixes for Everyday Buildup

  • Use a polishing cloth weekly for rings and chains you wear daily.
  • Keep a soft brush in your bathroom for a quick scrub every few wears.
  • Remove jewelry before applying lotion, perfume, or sunscreen.

These small habits make a big difference in keeping your jewelry clean between deeper cleanings.

8. Things to Absolutely Avoid

Here’s what you should never use to clean your jewelry at home:

  • Toothpaste: Too abrasive. It can scratch metals and stones.
  • Bleach or ammonia: Harsh chemicals that weaken metals.
  • Ultrasonic cleaners (unless you really know your piece): They can loosen settings.
  • Hot water: Can damage certain stones or glue-based settings.
  • Paper towels or tissues: Can leave fibers or cause micro-scratches.

If you're ever unsure, skip the experiment—and ask us first.

9. How Often Should You Clean Your Jewelry?

A good rule of thumb:

  • Daily-wear rings/necklaces: Clean every 1–2 weeks at home
  • Occasional pieces: Clean every 1–2 months
  • Heirlooms or vintage: Clean only when needed, and very gently

And once a year, consider a professional cleaning and check-up—especially for engagement rings, custom designs, or intricate stone settings. If you're near Bangkok, stop by She Adorns for expert care.

10. Store It Like You Mean It

A big part of keeping your jewelry clean is how you store it.

  • Use a soft-lined jewelry box or pouch.
  • Keep pieces separated to avoid scratching.
  • For silver: store with anti-tarnish strips.
  • For pearls: let them "breathe" in a fabric pouch.

Avoid tossing your jewelry on a tray or into a random drawer—small habits like this preserve both shine and structural integrity.

11. When to Call in a Professional

There are times when at-home cleaning just isn’t enough—or isn’t safe.

Reach out to a professional if:

  • You see loose stones or damaged prongs
  • Your piece includes multiple materials with different care needs
  • There’s visible corrosion or cracks
  • It’s a high-value item or heirloom

At She Adorns, we offer deep cleaning, re-polishing, resizing, and setting inspections—especially for our custom jewelry clients who want to keep their pieces in top shape.

The Takeaway

Jewelry deserves more than just occasional admiration—it deserves care.

Because when you take care of your jewelry, you’re also taking care of:

  • The memories it holds
  • The craftsmanship it represents
  • The self-love it symbolizes

Cleaning your jewelry at home is easy, satisfying, and even a little therapeutic. It’s a way to slow down, pay attention, and keep something precious shining the way it should.

And if your jewelry was made in Bangkok, by hand, with heart—like the pieces we create at She Adorns—then trust us: it’s worth every moment of care.

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