Jewellery Care: How to Clean Gold and Silver Jewellery
Why do you wear jewellery? No matter what motivates people to wear jewellery, one thing unites them: jewellery care. Do you know how to keep your jewellery in the best condition?
Humans have worn jewellery since ancient times, ranging from jewellery made from organic materials to gold. Jewellery aids ritual, religion, fashion, confidence, gifting, and memories. But it can quickly lose its power if you do not follow jewellery cleaning tips.
Silver and gold jewellery needs extra care to prevent tarnishing. Read on for the top jewellery care tips to keep them in their best condition.
What You Need For Jewellery Cleaning
There are many different ways to clean jewellery. However, there are several items you usually need to get started:
- A bowl
- A sink
- Mild dish soap
- A cloth
- Baking soda
- An old toothbrush
- Foil
You also need some time and patience when cleaning jewellery, especially if items are quite dirty. Studies have found that jewellery could have over 420 times for germs than a toilet seat, even after one week of wear. Usually, it is possible to clean jewellery at home without assistance.
How To Clean Silver-Plated Jewellery
It is essential to understand what is sterling silver and what is silver-plated jewellery. If you have silver-plated jewellery, you need to take care when cleaning, as there is only a thin layer of silver.
Dilute dish soap in warm water and put your jewellery in it. Gently use a toothbrush or your fingertips to clean the item. You can then wash off any residue and dry jewellery with a cloth.
How To Clean Silver Jewellery
The silver jewellery cleaning process is similar to silver-plated jewellery. However, you can add a tablespoon of baking soda and salt to warm water. Let the jewellery soak for up to ten minutes, resting on foil in the bowl, then rinse jewellery and dry with a cloth.
There are many other items you can use to clean jewellery. Suggestions include:
- Shampoo
- Ketchup
- Toothpaste
- Vinegar
However, your best bet is to start with a gentle solution of baking soda, salt, and one cup of water. If your jewellery still appears dirty afterward, you can try another method. Or you can take it to a jeweller.
How To Clean Gold Jewellery
Be gentle when cleaning gold jewellery, as you can easily scratch items. Use several drops of mild dish soap in warm water, then add your jewellery. Rinse with clean water and lightly polish with a cloth.
You need to follow the same process for gold-plated jewellery too. If you are not sure what type of jewellery you have, pick the gentlest cleaning method.
Jewellery Care Tips
There are many suggestions online on how to clean your silver and gold jewellery. As they say, prevention is better than cure, so practice jewellery care tips consistently to prevent tarnishing.
Always store jewellery in a clean space, and avoid contact with strong chemicals. Also, take jewellery off before activities that could damage items and when you go to bed.
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