Photo by
Alex on
Unsplash
Photo by Alex on Unsplash
In our blog, we write a lot about ways to grow your jewelry collection, how best to invest in order to build a quality wardrobe and how to find versatile pieces that create the ideal foundation of any collection. We focus on so much of that because we understand that whether you have a few pieces of jewelry or a large collection, every person’s jewelry wardrobe is important.
Your collection of rings, necklaces, pendants, cuffs, chains, earrings and everything else you use is just as much a reflection of your personal style as your clothing wardrobe or shoe collection. Both contain pieces that can pretty much go with anything and are your go to choices for comfort and style while others pieces may only truly go with one or two other items but what they lack in versatility, they make up for in presentation.
Everybody knows you need to take some measures to care for both clothing and shoes as well as dealing with the inevitable tasks of spot and routine cleaning. But how many of us take the time to think about that when it comes to jewelry? Maybe you give your favorite pieces a polish every now and again or perhaps you clean your wedding ring set religiously but how often do you spring clean your jewelry?
If you’re like most people, the answer is: Not Often Enough. While many pieces of jewelry don’t require dedicated, routine cleaning in the same way clothes or shoes do, they still need regular maintenance. Here we’ve brought together five simple steps for a thorough spring cleaning of your jewelry.
Before we begin, it’s important to note that some jewelry does require highly specialized care. This list represents a basic jewelry care routine. If you have pieces that came with specific instructions for care, it is important to follow those exactly. This routine will simply give you a jumping off point for other pieces in your collection.
1. Gather Your Tools and Prep Your Space
Since you will likely be dealing with small pieces, it’s important to prep your space as much as possible. Getting up and down and having to move things around as you work increases the chance of an earring back, loose clasp or even a ring to get lost. Here’s what you’ll need to set up your space:
- Cleaning Solutions – Each type of metal has its own cleaning solution. Bottles of these are easy to find online as well as in many grocery stores. Use a small separate container for each solution. You may also need a small amount of mild dish soap. Keeping a small travel size bottle with your cleaning hit is a great idea.
- Two Bowls of Warm Water – Start with very warm water so that it doesn’t cool too much as you’re working. (Optional: Sodium-free seltzer water)
- Several Clean, White Cloths – Lint free cloths are best and there are also special jewelry cleaning cloths you can buy. You can also use normal, clean household rags as long as they are clean and won’t shed.
- Brushes – You will need several different brushes if you want to get into the detail of many pieces of jewelry. We usually recommend two toothbrushes – one soft and one medium. A brow brush from a makeup brush collection can also be useful.
- Separate Towels for Drying – Make it easy to just lay finished pieces to the side for additional drying by having a clean, white towel ready to act as a drying pad.
2. Start With the Easy Stuff
If you get into the habit of cleaning your jewelry collection regularly, many of your pieces will need little more than a light wipe down with a mild detergent. This is where the mild dish soap comes in. Add just a drop into one bowl of warm water, get one of your clean rags damp (not wet) and wipe down your pieces, taking care to rub gently along details.
Follow up with a dry, clean cloth so that water isn’t sitting on the metal or within the settings. Use a soft brush to clean around the setting themselves and a very soft brush (a blush brush works well) to clean around gemstones.
Depending on the size of your collection, this step may take just a few minutes or a little longer. But you’ll go through pieces quickly. Getting through the pieces that don’t need much work give you that surge of accomplishment that breaks up a task like this nicely.
3. Soak and Scrub (Gently!)
Pieces in your collection that see more daily wear will need some extra TLC. Use your individual cleaning solutions to soak pieces that need some extra attention. Check the label to see how long they need to soak and whether or not you need to clean with warm water after. Either way, you will want to dry pieces as soon as possible.
To deal with grime or dirtiness around settings and within the detail work of some pieces, you’ll need your brushes. Add some of your detergent to your second bowl of warm water. If you can, take a tip from the lab at
Good Housekeeping and mix your mild detergent in a bowl of sodium-free seltzer water. Their tests found it loosened debris more effectively.
Brush around the areas that need attention firmly, but gently. You don’t want to scratch your gemstones or the metal so don’t get too aggressive. While one of the prevailing ‘DIY tips’ has traditionally been to clean jewelry with toothpaste, that can backfire. Many toothpastes are too abrasive and can dull the metal.
4. Know When to Bring in a Pro
Most of the time, this routine will tackle the effects of daily wear and routine dirtiness. But sometimes a piece may need extra care or a more aggressive approach. There are hundreds – if not thousands – of DIY recipes and home remedies for these bigger problems but these approaches carry a risk. What works for one person’s wedding ring, might not work on yours even if you think it’s the same metal.
Maybe theirs is sterling and yours has other metals in it. Or it cold be they don’t remember the proportions right or they’re just lying and being an internet troll. Whatever the possibility, don’t risk an unknown method to clean anything too stubborn.
Take it into your local jewelry shop and see what they can do. Many jewelers are only too happy to help clients when the solution is something they can do at home so don’t be shy about asking what you can do from home to keep your pieces in great shape. Learning the information from a professional is definitely better than rolling the dice with message boards experts.
5. Don’t Forget Their House!
After you’ve spent the time to clean and care for your individual pieces, be sure you take the time to clean out your jewelry case as well. Depending on the type of case you have, this may involve removing individual drawers. Essentially you need to expose as much of its interior area and possible and clean all surface areas. A small computer cleaning kit often comes with brushes, compressed air and small pen-sized vacuums which can get the job done perfectly.
Take the time to wipe down the exterior of the case as well. Knobs, handles and even the feet of a standing case should all be wiped, cleaned and polished as needed. Keeping your jewelry case clean inside and out not only helps to protect your collection, it also showcases it nicely. Even though it may sound like such a small thing, that can have a big impact on you approach selecting your jewelry for the day and, indeed, your outlook in general.
Following this cleaning routine will help keep your jewelry wardrobe in tip top shape. This does not, however, negate the need for regular professional care as well. Pieces that you want to keep in their best shape should be taken in for a professional cleaning once a year. That, coupled with this kind of care, will ensure your collection remains dazzling.
Since a jewelry collection is, by its nature, made up of small, intricate pieces this is a project does require some time. But this kind of cleaning is a form of self-care. After all, your jewelry is a reflection of you and caring for it means you are taking the time to care for that part of your own personality. Settle in with a binge worthy show, a glass of wine and spend some time caring for the pieces that make your style sparkle.
