Eco-friendly jewelry cleaning techniques

Jewelry Cleaning Secrets- Eco-friendly ways of cleaning jewelry. Gold, silver, platinum, or plated metals will tarnish and change colors no matter how you try to avoid it due to air oxidation, oils and lotions from the skin, perfumes, etc. I will provide you with 5 eco-friendly useful tips on how to clean your jewelry and maintain its shine. No matter what cleaning method you utilize, it is important that you only use a soft bristled brush and a lint free clothe. Harder bristles scratch the surface and the roughness may remove glued set stones. Soft micro or multi-fiber lint free cloth prevent snagging and lint build up on the surface of your gem. I have heard but have not attempted the use of pampers to shine jewelry. Feel free to put the theory to the test. Note: techniques for metals only, would not recommend pearls, precious gems & stones, etc. as the chemicals may remove coating and polish of fine stones. Tip 5: Water & ammonia for gold jewelry. 6-1 ratio of lukewarm water to ammonia. ***Note: Ammonia may darken platinum so clean with caution. Tip 4: Tonic soda and dishwashing soap. The carbonation in tonic loosens the soil and remove debris while the soap cleanses. Put a few drops of Dawn or dishwashing liquid soap with ½ cup of water and about ¼ cup of club soda. Mix the solution and then soak the jewelry for about 10-15 minutes. Scrub the jewelry with a soft bristle toothbrush, rinse with warm water, and blot dry with a soft lint free cloth. Tip 3: Rubbing alcohol is excellent for cleaning oils and dirt from jewelry; especially with regard to hard metals and stones like diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. Soak jewels in a small jar of rubbing alcohol for 1-2 minutes, brush discoloration with a soft bristle brush, rinse and then soak for another 2 minutes, rinse with lukewarm water, and dry with a dry clothe. ***Note: jewelry with gemstones should not be submerged if glued would recommend jewelry cleaning clothe. Tip 2: Apple cider vinegar and salt is a good tool to clean the dirt, grime, and oils from dull appearance jewelry. The salt acts as a mild abrasive to help remove difficult stains. Create a paste with 1/4 tbsp of table salt, 1/4 cup flour and 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar. Use an old clean soft bristle toothbrush. Dip the toothbrush in the paste, scrub the piece, and then rinse with cool water. Immediately wipe with a lint-free cloth. (can also use only apple cider as a soak for gold jewelry.) Tip 1: A little bit of baking soda toothpaste shines and cleans silver. Yes. Many do not know but the best alternatives to cleaners and skincare are found in the home. There is no need to spend tons of money on expensive jewelry cleaners and kits when you can use toothpaste. Its non-toxic & easy to clean up. Storing your jewelry: good to invest in small plastic baggies or cloth bags. When your jewelry is not being worn, preserve them in plastic sealed baggies. This keeps your jewelry safe and free from oxidation, dirt, and dust, and accidental damage. If your storing more than 1 piece together, it is good to individually wrap with tissue paper to prevent jewelry from scratching surfaces of one another. Clean your jewelry once a month to maintain its luster. Jeweled by Ingrid has compiled a combination of different cleaning techniques from various sources. We are in no way liable or responsible for any results that may occur due to trials of our research. We encourage further research before testing with chemicals and verification of the metal compound of your jewelry before attempting cleaning techniques.