How to Clean and Take Care of Your Jewelry

Written by Katie Pierce, freelance blogger and mom. 

Wearing jewelry can instantly make your outfit look more polished. However, if you don’t take care of your jewelry properly, it could get damaged or tarnished over time. It can be tricky to take care of your jewelry since they’ll usually require different cleaning methods, depending on the material. But with the proper steps, you can keep your jewelry looking its best for years to come.

Here are some tips for taking good care of your jewelry:

1) Use a jewelry cleaner made specifically for your type of jewelry.

While cleaning your jewelry with soap and water is possible, it’s not always the best route. Using a special jewelry cleaner will ensure that you’re not damaging any of the metal components in your piece.

In addition, don’t use abrasive cleaners like steel wool or emery boards. These materials can scratch the surface of your jewelry, causing permanent marks. Avoid harsh chemicals, too, as many contain solvents that can damage the finish of your piece.

2) Wipe down your jewelry regularly.

After wearing your jewelry, wipe down the piece with a soft cloth. Your jewelry can collect dust and dirt while wearing it. Wiping down your jewelry regularly will help prevent scratches and stains. It will also guarantee that any oils from your skin won’t transfer onto your jewelry.

If you want to be more thorough, you can use a toothbrush to remove stubborn dirt and grime. Soft-bristled toothbrushes will be delicate yet effective when used to clean your jewelry. You should avoid using hard bristles, which may leave marks on your piece.

3) Don’t wear your jewelry while showering or swimming.

Showering, swimming, and other activities that involve moisture can cause your pieces to tarnish. Remember to dry them thoroughly after each activity if you decide to wear them during these times. The kind of water that you swim in can also affect how your jewelry looks.

For instance, swimming pools typically have chlorine in their water, making it harder for your jewelry to maintain its shine. Be careful about wearing jewelry in these environments.

4) Take off your jewelry before sleeping and doing skin care.

Your skincare products contain harsh ingredients that can harm your jewelry. Make sure to remove your jewelry before applying makeup, moisturizers, lotions, and other beauty products. The oils and chemicals in these products can transfer onto your jewelry, leaving behind unwanted residues.

Don’t wear your jewelry to bed as well. You’ll risk breaking your jewelry by rolling around in your sleep. For instance, necklace chains can stretch in your sleep, weakening them and potentially snapping them. You might also catch your rings and bracelets on your pillowcase, causing them to break.

5) Watch your gestures while wearing your jewelry.

Wearing jewelry doesn’t mean you must keep your hands still all day long. However, you should be mindful of your actions, so you don’t accidentally break your jewelry. Certain movements can cause your jewelry to tangle or get caught on something else. To avoid this problem, make sure that you’re aware of what you’re doing with your hands.

6) Practice proper storage techniques.

Proper storage is one of the most important things to remember when taking care of your jewelry. Here are some proper storage techniques that can help preserve your jewelry’s appearance:

• Store your jewelry separately, according to type. For instance, store earrings in one container and necklaces in another. You should also store silvers together and golds together. This prevents tarnishing when the metals come into contact with one another.
• Keep your jewelry away from direct sunlight. This will protect your jewelry from fading over time. Precious gemstones will lose their color when exposed to light. Excess heat from sunlight can also warp your jewelry.
• Use a good-quality jewelry box to store your jewelry. These containers prevent your jewelry from getting tangled or scratched. They also protect it from dust and humidity. Investing in a good-quality jewelry box will ensure that your jewelry stays looking new for years to come.
  
  

7) Rotate your jewelry regularly.

Wearing a certain piece every day will make it more prone to damage. To prevent this, rotate your jewelry frequently. Jewelry isn’t meant to be worn 24/7. Giving your jewelry rest days will allow it to stay in top condition longer.

You can even have a schedule where you swap out your jewelry each week. This will make it easier for you to rotate your pieces. It will also allow you to try different styles.

8) Have professionals clean your jewelry.

If you want to maintain the highest quality of your jewelry, then you may want to ask a professional to do it. It’s not necessary to do this for every single piece of jewelry you own. However, it’s worth investing in a cleaning service if you have expensive pieces.

Professional cleaners use special equipment to remove dirt and grime from your jewelry. They also know which cleaning solutions are best suited for specific materials.

The Bottom Line

Proper jewelry care will ensure that pieces in your collection maintain their appearance. While it may seem like a lot of work, these tips will make it easy for you to maintain your jewelry. You’ll enjoy wearing your jewelry for years to come!