Clean Your Jewelry Naturally
Cleaning Your Silver
This is an old trick that many people have been using for decades. Toothpaste is an excellent polish for silver. It can also be used on your sink faucets, bath faucets, and any other chrome or silver finished item. The toothpaste you use should be organic for two reasons. One, it is all natural and Eco-friendly. Two, organic toothpaste is gentle.
Get an old toothbrush, apply a small amount of toothpaste to the brush, brush your silver jewelry lightly, and rinse. Yep, it is that easy and you will be amazed at how “new” your jewelry looks when finished.
Another great trick for cleaning your silver items is baking soda. Just shake a little baking soda on a damp cloth – make sure the cloth is non-abrasive – and carefully polish your silver.
Cleaning Your Diamonds and Other Gems
Baking soda is not just for chocolate chip cookies, stomach aches, and polishing your silver; it can also be used to bring out the lustrous shine of your prized diamonds. Simply mix one cup of hot water with 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda and let your diamonds or diamond rings soak for about ten minutes. After ten minutes or so, remove your jewelry, dry it with a damp cloth, and watch it come back to life.
Diamonds can also be boiled clean as well as other precious gems. You want to be careful with this method; do not just throw your precious stones into the pot, heat the water to a boil and let them bounce around on the bottom and into each other. What you do want to do is place your items in a strainer that holds the gems off the bottom, put a small amount of dish-washing liquid into the water, and bring it to a boil. Let it boil for about ten or fifteen minutes, remove the pan from the heat, and let it cool. Once it is cool, gently rinse and brush your stones before drying.
Cleaning Your Gold
Baking soda to the rescue – again. However, do not use this technique for gold jewelry that contains pearls or gems – it may damage the finish or possibly loosen the setting glue. Take your “gem and pearl free” gold jewelry, coat with a light dusting of baking soda, pour some vinegar on it, and rinse until clean.
This next trick utilizes beer. Again, do not use this process for jewelry with gems. Pour some beer – avoid dark ale – onto a non-abrasive cloth and rub the gold gently with the cloth. Get another non-abrasive cloth and dry your illustrious gold.
Cleaning Your Pearls
Your pearls are delicate. Do not use detergents or abrasive cloths when cleaning these little beauties. The most recommended process is to use a damp cloth with mild soap and delicately rub the pearls in a circular motion. Be sure to use soaps that do not have high acidity such as commercial brands.
A Few Tips to Keep Your Jewelry Looking Its Best
- Put your jewelry on last. This will help you to not accidentally get perfume or hairspray on your accessories.
- Keep your silver out of direct sunlight. Don't use household chemicals or chlorinated water on your silver pieces. Yes, that means take it off when you go swimming – probably a good idea anyway.
- Your pearls like to be worn. Your natural skin oils polish and protect them. When it is time to remove your pearl necklace, ring, or earrings take a moment to wipe them with a dry cotton cloth. Always store your pearls away from other jewelry to avoid scratching.
