Jewelry, whether a cherished heirloom or a daily staple, deserves care that preserves its brilliance. Yet, life’s demands often leave little time for elaborate cleaning routines.
Fortunately, you don’t need fancy equipment or specialized tools to restore your pieces’ shine. With a few household items and a touch of know-how, you can refresh your jewelry elegantly and efficiently.
Here’s how to clean jewelry at home when you’re short on time—simple and effective methods to keep your treasures sparkling.
Jump to:
- Mild Soap and Warm Water: The Timeless Classic
- Baking Soda: Tackling Tougher Tarnish
- Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner: A Quick, Jeweler-Grade Clean
- Jewelry Wipes and Care Cloths: The Gentlest of Cleans
Mild Soap and Warm Water: The Timeless Classic
A mild, foolproof way to clean most jewelry—including gold, silver, gold filled, gold vermeil and gemstones—is using warm water and a mild cleanser.
What you’ll need:
- A small bowl of warm (not hot) water
- A gentle jewelry cleanser (or a few drops of mild dish soap)
- A soft brush or jewelry cloth
Method:
- Dab jewelry cleanser (or mild dish soap) onto jewelry, focusing on crevices
- Soak your jewelry in the warm water for a few minutes
- Gently scrub with a soft brush or cloth
- Rinse under lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft cloth
Pro Tip: Avoid submerging pieces with glued settings or porous stones (like turquoise or opal)—use a damp jewelry cloth, or jewelry wipes instead to protect their integrity.
Baking Soda: Tackling Tougher Tarnish
If you're wondering how to clean tarnished jewelry, baking soda is a fantastic solution for silver and lightly oxidized pieces. Use sparingly to avoid damaging delicate surfaces.
What you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Water
- A soft brush or cloth
Method:
- Create a paste with baking soda and a few drops of water
- Apply the paste gently to the tarnished areas using a soft brush or cloth
- Let sit for a minute
- Rinse and dry immediately
Caution: Reserve this for solid metals like silver or gold—avoid on plated pieces, pearls, or soft stones, as will cause wear and further complications if not rinsed off properly.
Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner: A Quick, Jeweler-Grade Clean
If you already own an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, it’s a swift and effective option for a deep clean—especially for pieces with hard-to-reach areas. This method suits durable jewelry like solid gold, gold filled or silver with hard gemstones.
What you’ll need:
- Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner (ideally 45,000Hz or higher like the Akua Sonic Cleaner)
- A soft dry cloth
Method:
- Fill the cleaner with water (and optionally, a drop of dish soap)
- Place your jewelry in the tank, avoiding overlaps
- Run a cleaning cycle
- Rinse and dry immediately with a soft cloth.
Why It Works: Ultrasonic cleaners use sound waves to dislodge dirt efficiently, making them one of the best jewelry cleaners for those seeking a professional, thorough clean. It’s not a necessity, but a great choice if available.
Related: What Can You Clean in an Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner?
Jewelry Wipes and Care Cloths: The Gentlest of Cleans
When time is tight, or dealing with delicate jewelry (plated metal, porous stones and vintage pieces), formulated jewelry wipes, jewelry care cloths, or wet soft cloths are the ideal way to bring back some shine.
What you’ll need:
- Gentle formulated jewelry wipes, or
- Soft jewelry care cloth, or
- Clean, soft cloth (like microfiber)
Method:
- Use a wipe or dampened cloth to gently polish with minimal pressure
- Finish by buffing with a clean dry section of the cloth
Why It Works: This method avoids scratches and abrasion while removing oils, grime and contaminants that otherwise build up discreetly to damage jewelry in the long run.
Final Tips for Jewelry Care
- Store jewelry in an airtight container to prevent tarnish.
- Wipe jewelry after wear to remove oils and sweat.
- Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia or windex.
- Take off jewelry before swimming or applying lotions.
The key to preserving your jewelry’s beauty lies in gentle care and regular attention. A quick clean today ensures your treasures shine for years to come.
Related: Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner: a Guide, a How To and Best Practices
