Articles

Homemade Jewelry Cleaning

Written by: Misty O'Neal

So for all of you who need to clean some sterling especially! Here is a safe and very effective way to do it. I use this all the time!

1. Take a pot of water and bring it to a light boil or simmer.
2. Line a bowl with aluminum or buy some of those cheap aluminum baking pans that are disposable.
3. Let the water sit for just a few minutes so it is not boiling or simmering anymore, but is still scalding hot.
4. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of salt.
5. Pour water in bowl.
6. Add jewelry.
7. Let sit for about 15-20mins.
8. Once water has cooled enough (please do not burn yourself!) get your jewelry out.
9. Rinse with clean water thouroghly.
10. Dry with a soft cloth.

VIOLA!!!

I have done this even on my sterling chain and components that needed some brightening and shine before incorporating into jewelry, and have also done it on finished jewelry to bring back the sparkle. My Mom's mothers bracelet I made for her, she left out and it was tarnished to the point I thought it was beyond saving. But this brought it back like NEW!

DISCLAIMER:
Now some people will say to not do this with antiqued beads as it will remove the finish. I have done this, and it did not. I have done this with pieces that involve gemstones, pearls, swarovskis, bali beads, etc. and never had ill results.

NOW... if for any strange reason you do this and it does something strange to your jewelry, well let me just say... do this at your discretion. All I can tell you is from my experience it never damaged any components.

Back to Articles