We always feel like true royalty when our favourite pieces of jewellery sparkle and shine - especially when paired with a fabulous outfit. But, over time our jewellery can begin to dull and lose their once gorgeous appearance.
This is all thanks to exposure to dust, dirt, grit, and even makeup, lotions, air and moisture.
But, fear not, its actually pretty easy to clean and restore most of your old jewellery items, and we're going to present to you exactly how to do it! You'll need just a few supplies, and a little elbow grease.
How to clean silver jewellery
Silver jewellery can quickly become tarnished, and over time it can get increasingly worse. However, cleaning tarnished silver can be carried out effortlessly with this easy homemade solution, featuring household ingredients you probably already have kicking about your home.
This method will do the trick, no matter what size your jewellery pieces might be.
You will need:
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Aluminum foil
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A pot or a pan
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Boiling water
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Baking soda
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Kosher salt
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A soft cloth
Method for cleaning silver jewellery items:
1. You'll need to line the pot/ pan with the aluminium foil- making sure the foil covers the entire surface.
2. Fill the pot/ pan with boiling water.
3. Add 1/4 cup baking soda and 2 teaspoons of kosher salt to the water, and wait until bubbles begin to form.
4. Now, add the pieces of silver to the solution and carefully mix.
5. Let the pieces sit for 5 minutes.
6. Once they've cooled, gently remove them and dry with a soft cloth.
Other DIY silver cleaning hacks:
Using dish soap - Mixing a few drops of dish soap with warm water, use a soft cloth to dip into the solution and use it to rub the tarnish from the silver. Always rinse afterwards with cold water, and then buff up the silver using another soft, dry cloth.
Toothpaste - Toothpaste works a charm on tarnished silver. In the same way that toothpaste can remove stains from teeth, it can for tarnished silver too. By applying a small dab of whitening toothpaste onto the silver, and rubbing very gently with your finger or a soft cloth- the tarnish will begin to lift. Make sure to rinse well, and buff with a soft cloth.
Ketchup - Now this doesn't exactly lift stains, but it is fab at providing that extra sheen finish. Just clean your silver with ketchup, using a little elbow grease, and your silver will thank you later.
The best silver cleaning products that'll save your jewellery items from tarnishing:
the best silver cleaning products that'll save your jewellery items from tarnishing
1 of 4Weiman Silver Polish and Cleaner
For a long-lasting shine, use this silver polish and cleaner. You can thank us later.
2 of 4Looks Shiny Cleaning Bath 300 m
Give your silver jewellery a deep soak in this gem of a cleaner, and wave goodbye to any grime, grit or dirt on to your silver items, as they'll come out looking dazzling as ever.
3 of 4Zolt Microfibre reusable Cleaning Cloths
With these delicate, reusable cloths you can give your silver items the gently buffing they truly deserve, and see miraculous results.
4 of 4Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid
Simple dish soap has more uses than cleaning up your dinnerware, whether that be polishing your silver, or even removing carpet stains.
How to clean gold jewellery
Cleaning your gold jewellery items doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg, nor does it require much time. It just takes some gentle care and a few household supplies and you'll be well on your way to having pristine gold again.
You will need:
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Mild washing up liquid
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A soft bristled brush/ toothbrush
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A soft, lint-free cloth
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2 Bowls
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Lukewarm water
Method for cleaning gold jewellery items:
1. Add the lukewarm water to one of the bowls, and add a few drops of the mild washing up liquid.
2. In the other bowl, add lukewarm water (but no dish soap), this is to rinse the jewellery pieces after cleaning.
TIP: The water must be only lukewarm, and not hot. Hot water can alter the shape of your jewellery.
2. Soak your gold jewellery in the bowl for 10 minutes- this loosens any grime, grit or dirt.
3. Take your jewellery out of the bowl and scrub gently with the brush, getting into all the hard-to-reach places and removing any dirt.
4. Rinse well in the clean water.
5. Dry and polish with a lint-free cloth.
Here are some of the best gold cleaning products that'll keep your gold glistening:
the best gold cleaning products that'll keep your gold glistening
1 of 4Here are some of the best silver cleaning products that'll save your jewellery items from tarnishing:
This jewellery shine cloth is ideal for removing minor dashes of dirt from gold jewellery and giving it a wonderfully polished shine.
2 of 4Connoisseurs Jewellery Cleaner
This one-of-a-kind jewellery cleaner works on not only gold, but also diamonds and precious stones, including rings, necklaces and earrings. The reviews online are outstandingly positive.
3 of 4Daletu Bamboo Soft Toothbrush
A toothbrush can be a great cleaning tool, from jewellery, to the soles of a shoe. They're handy items to have around the house. We love these bamboo brushes, for a more eco-friendly option.
4 of 4ZEFFFKA Gold and Silver Polishing Cleaning Cloth
With this lint-free jewellery cleaning cloth, you'll be able to give your favourite pieces a good buff, leaving them dazzling without a smudge in sight.