Much costume jewelry is beautifully crafted, even without expensive gemstones. However, you have to take good care of its beauty. Imitation jewelry does not have the same durability as expensive jewelry. Water, exposure to air and even the creams and lotions you use can fade the shine. So it's important to learn how to care for your favorite jewelry so that it stays beautiful for a long time, especially if you want to keep it on for years to come.
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Part 1 of 4: The First Step
Step 1. Collect all the jewels that need to be cleaned
There is no definite rule when jewelry should be cleaned. In general, you can follow this rule of thumb: the more often you wear it, the more often you will have to clean it. You can clean your jewelry every few months or when your jewelry looks dull.
- Please note that costume jewelry is not made of real gold or pure silver and is not studded with precious gemstones. Although sterling silver may also fade, it is best not to clean silver jewelry in the same way as imitation jewelry. Meanwhile, the "real" gold shine won't fade forever.
- If you are having a hard time deciding what is imitation or real jewelry, remember that gold/silver plated jewelry is considered “authentic”. Since the top layer of the jewelery is pure silver or gold, it is considered “authentic”, even if it is not made entirely of real gold or silver. So you can use regular jewelry cleaner to clean gold and silver plated jewelry, no need to follow the methods given here.
- If you're not sure whether the jewelry is genuine or imitation, ask a jeweler to test the metal and gemstones on your jewelry and make sure they're authentic.
Step 2. Check the jewelry
Pay attention to whether the jewelry is studded with gemstones. If so, you should be careful when cleaning the area with liquid.
- The liquid can seep under the gemstone and reduce the strength of the glue, making the stone more likely to come off later. In addition, too much water can damage the finish that makes the imitation gemstone look shiny.
- Don't wear jewelry while swimming, as pool water can seep under the gemstones, loosening the glue holding them together.
Step 3. Try using a cotton swab or toothbrush to clean the jewelry
Both are easy to find in every home and are perfect for cleaning hard-to-reach crevices or areas around gemstones. You can also use a magic eraser (a kind of cleaning fluid).
- If you use a cotton swab, you can see the tips start to get dirty when you use them to clean your jewelry.
- Make sure you use a new and never used toothbrush. Don't transfer any material that's stuck to an old toothbrush onto the surface of your jewelry. Throw away the toothbrush after using it to clean jewelry.
- Scrub the jewelry with a soft-bristled toothbrush or cotton swab to remove the patina. Patina is a sticky greenish dirt that builds up on costume jewelry. Cotton swabs and soft-bristled toothbrushes are abrasive when dry, making them more effective at removing dirt. If the dirt still won't go away, try scraping it off with a toothpick.
Part 2 of 4: Home Care
Step 1. Try using lemon to clean costume jewelry
Lemons have long been used to remove the oxide layer that has formed on metal surfaces over time. You can add a little baking soda along with the lemon.
- Lemon is a natural acid and rubbing jewelry with a lemon can speed up the cleaning process. Or, you can soak your silver jewelry in lemon water mixed with a little salt overnight. Lemon is perfect for cleaning silver.
- You can squeeze lemon juice in a small dish, then rub it on the surface of the jewelry you want to clean. After that, use a rough cloth (or dish soap) to scrub the jewelry vigorously.
Step 2. Try using a solution of white vinegar and water
Soak the jewelry in the vinegar solution, then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the nooks and crannies of the jewelry.
- The vinegar solution can make your jewelry chain sparkle. A soft-bristled toothbrush is perfect for cleaning gemstone-encrusted jewelry because it can reach difficult crevices. You can also pour vinegar on a sponge and use it to clean jewelry.
- Another natural product that can be used to clean jewelry is olive oil. The olive oil will make the jewelry sparkle, but don't forget to rinse it off when you're done. Another option is dental tablets dissolved in water. Soak the jewelry for a while first, then scrub it gently with a toothbrush.
Step 3. Try using hand soap and warm water
In addition to making jewelry look clean and beautiful, soap also leaves a nice smell. But remember, use as little water as possible, and don't leave your jewelry in the water for too long. Water can tarnish the shine of the costume jewelry and cause it to rust if left too long.
- Use a washcloth to carefully clean the jewelry. It's best not to soak jewelry in water for too long as this can damage the appearance and protective coating of the jewelry. Water is more suitable for cleaning jewelry made of gold and decorated with gemstones.
- Or, pour hot water into a bowl. Add salt, baking soda and dish soap to a bowl. Place the jewelry on the foil, and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse the jewelry in cold water, and pat dry with a soft cloth until completely dry.
Step 4. Use baby shampoo to clean the jewelry
Baby shampoo tends to be gentler, so it's good for cleaning costume jewelry. In addition, shampoo is also very suitable for cleaning pearl jewelry.
- Mix a drop of shampoo and a drop of water. Stir the shampoo and water until it resembles thick soup. If the mixture is too thick, add a few drops of water. Then, use a soft-bristled toothbrush or cotton swab to clean hard-to-reach areas.
- Rinse off the baby shampoo immediately with cold water, and use a clean, soft towel or microfiber cloth to dry the jewelry.
Step 5. Use lens cleaner or toothpaste
There are a variety of household cleaning products that are commonly used to clean costume jewelry. Lens cleaners and toothpaste are effective for cleaning costume jewelry.
- However, you have to be very careful! Read the instructions and warning labels. Do not use lens cleaners for precious metals, and be aware that paint or protective coatings may fade. Also, don't use the product to clean your earrings or if you have sensitive skin.
- Toothpaste is relatively safer when used to clean jewelry. You simply apply toothpaste on a toothbrush, and rub it on the jewelry. This method can also be used to clean other types of costume jewelry, such as bracelets.
Part 3 of 4: Stronger Cleaning Products
Step 1. Purchase a jewelry polishing product specifically made for jewelry
Imitation or alloyed metals will deteriorate quickly if you don't use the right polish.
- You can buy polishes for gold or silver jewelry at a jewelry store or department store. But remember, some of the usual jewelry cleaning products are actually made for real jewelry and are too harsh to use for costume jewelry.
- All you have to do is soak the jewelry in the polishing liquid for no more than 30 seconds, then remove and dry gently so as not to scratch or damage the jewelry. You can use a toothbrush after dipping it in the polishing liquid.
Step 2. Purchase a bottle of rubbing alcohol from a drug store or supermarket
Take a small bowl, and pour the alcohol. Soak the jewelry for half an hour.
- After that, remove the jewelry and wipe off the excess alcohol. Then let it dry on its own for 15 minutes.
- If any dirt remains, wipe with an alcoholic wet tissue and repeat the cleaning process. You can also soak your earrings in peroxide for at least 2-3 minutes. The peroxide may bubble or hiss. Don't worry, that means the earrings are very dirty and may need to be soaked longer.
- If it turns out that it's not the dirt that's gone, but the protective layer of the jewelry, don't proceed. You may be rubbing too hard. Rub gently so you don't damage the protective film.
Step 3. Rinse the jewelry until it is completely clean
After applying the mixture and cleaning the jewelry, rinse it immediately with cold water. Rinse only to remove soap solution from jewelry.
- Dry the jewelry with a hairdryer. After rinsing the jewelry, place it on a towel to absorb the excess water. Then, take a hairdryer and set it on a cold setting, and use it to dry the jewelry quickly.
- Aim the dryer all over the jewelry. Drying your jewelry immediately after rinsing will prevent rust and water spots from forming. Continue the drying process until the jewelry is completely dry.
- Try not to expose the dryer to the area with the gemstones too long, especially if you are on a warm setting. The heat from the dryer can melt the glue holding it together.
Part 4 of 4: Maintenance
Step 1. Spray perfume, hair spray, and apply lotion before putting on jewelry
Water-based products can tarnish the shine of jewelry, and even perfumes and lotions can damage the protective coating.
- By spraying on perfume and applying lotion first, you reduce the chance that the product will stick to your jewelry. Wait until your skin is dry, then put on jewelry.
- This will prevent the build-up of dirt on the costume, which can make it look dull and require frequent cleaning.
Step 2. Wipe the jewelry daily
If you're diligent about wiping your jewelry with a microfiber cloth after each use, you won't need to clean it as often.
- Plus, your jewelry will look new for longer.
- Wiping your jewelry every day will reduce the chances of your jewelry getting exposed to water or anything else when you wear it that day.
Step 3. Store jewelry properly
You can store jewelry in a plastic clip bag. Prepare one plastic bag for one piece of jewelry. Insert the jewelry and blow the air out of the plastic bag before closing the clip.
- Once the air is removed from the plastic bag, the metal will not oxidize or turn green due to exposure to the air. That way, the jewelry will look cleaner and newer for a longer time.
- Storing jewelry in a box that has a lid and is lined with velvet will reduce exposure to air and prevent the jewelry from being scratched.
Tips
- Apply clear nail polish to the surface of the jewelry to protect the protective layer so the jewelry doesn't turn green.
- Remove jewelry when you are near water. Do not wash dishes, take a shower or wash the car while wearing costume jewelry. Take it all off.
Warning
- Do not leave the jewelry submerged in water for a long time as the luster will fade.
- Dry the jewelry immediately or water or rust will appear.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging the jewelry.
