How to Clean Your Jewelry Without Harsh Chemicals

You don't need harsh chemicals to keep your favorite pieces looking good as new.

No matter how dirty your jewelry might be, a proper clean doesn’t need to mean resorting to harsh (and potentially harmful) chemicals. With a few basic tools and common household products, you can get all your pieces—even the most delicate!—back to their original sparkling state.

The Old Way, i.e. Ingredients to Avoid

Typical store-bought jewelry cleaners may seem like an easy and effective choice, but they’re often formulated with harsh chemicals like ammonia and chlorine that not only weaken your jewelry but put your health at risk too. Ammonia’s known to change the color of some metals and damage the finish on pearls and opals, and chlorine can create small pores in metals, compromising their durability over time.

How to DIY

You might be surprised to find that you likely already have everything you need to clean your jewelry gently and effectively.

The Tools:

• Soft-bristled Toothbrush: Great for getting into small crevices, especially with detailed designs.
• Polishing Cloth: Can help restore shine without stripping or damaging—try a Cloud Cloth for gentle buffing!

The Ingredients:

• Baking Soda
• White Vinegar
• Dish Soap
• Warm Water

The Methods:

Quick tip! With any piece of jewelry, it’s always best to patch test your cleaning solution on a small, hidden part of the piece if possible.

• For Good-as-New Gold Jewelry
  • Mix mild soap with warm water. Soak your jewelry in the soapy water for a few minutes. Then, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush. Rinse each piece well with warm water and dry with a clean cloth.
  • For tough tarnish, create a baking soda paste by combining a tablespoon of baking soda and a few drops of water (the paste should be thick). Apply the paste directly to your jewelry and lightly rub in with your fingers or a soft toothbrush. Rinse well with warm water and gently dry with a cloth.

• To Revive Silver Jewelry:
  • Create a thick paste (as outlined above) with baking soda and water. Using a finger or toothbrush, gently rub the paste on your jewelry, then rinse with warm water and dry with a clean cloth.
  • For tarnished pieces, line a dish with aluminum foil. Add warm water, a teaspoon of salt, and a tablespoon of baking soda to the dish. Place the silver jewelry in the dish, making sure it comes in contact with the foil. You should see the tarnish begin to disappear.
  • You can also clean silver jewelry with a vinegar soak. Simply place your silver pieces in a bowl filled with white vinegar. After a few minutes, remove them from the vinegar and rinse well with warm water. Dry with a clean cloth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the safest way to clean delicate jewelry?

Delicate jewelry, especially pieces with pearls, opals, or other soft gems, need special care. If you aren’t sure how to clean it, it's always best to consult a professional jeweler. Generally, you can also use a gentle solution of warm, soapy water and a very soft brush.

Can household products be used for cleaning all types of jewelry?

Yes. Most pieces of jewelry can be gently cleaned with simple ingredients found in most kitchens.

How often should I clean my jewelry to maintain its appearance?

How often you ought to clean your jewelry pieces depends on how often you wear them. Typically, cleaning your jewelry once a month is a great place to start.