Jewelry made of real gold and silver will never break, but the cheap alloys used to make costume jewelry will change color and oxidize over time. If you have costume jewelry that doesn't sparkle anymore or has faded, there are several ways to clean and polish it yourself at home. You can scrub the jewelry with a cleaning product to remove the stain or clean it thoroughly with a baking soda solution. When you're done, your jewelry will look as shiny as new!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Polishing Faux Jewelry to Remove Stains
Step 1. Scrub the jewelry with baby shampoo and water to gently clean it
Mix a drop of baby shampoo with 250 ml of warm water until it foams. Use a cotton swab to apply soapy water to the jewelry and clean tight areas. Once clean, rinse the jewelry with water and pat it dry with a towel.
You can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush if you want to scrub your jewelry harder
Step 2. Brush the jewelry with lemon water to remove the stain
Mix lemon juice and water in equal ratios to make a cleansing liquid. Soak your jewelry in the liquid for 10 minutes, then take it out and scrub with a toothbrush. Rinse jewelry with clean water before drying.
- Do not use lemon juice that has not been dissolved in water because the acid content is too high.
- Don't soak jewelry with fake gemstones in it, as cleaning liquid can strip the glue that holds it together.
Step 3. Rub the toothbrush against the jewelry to make it shine again
Put a small amount of toothpaste on a soft-bristled toothbrush and use it to scrub your costume jewelry. Move the toothbrush in a circular motion and make sure the toothpaste gets into all the gaps. Keep rubbing until the jewelry looks shiny, then rinse the item with water. Make sure the jewelry is completely dried to avoid stains.
Look for toothpastes specifically designed to whiten teeth, as these usually contain baking soda, a substance that can help restore faded jewelry color
Step 4. Soak jewelry in tomato sauce for 10 minutes to remove stains
The acid content in ketchup can help you clean your jewelry in a hurry. Place the ketchup in a plate or bowl until it's just enough to cover the jewelry. Let the jewelry sit in the ketchup for 10 minutes or so to remove the stain. Rinse the tomato sauce thoroughly with water and pat dry with a towel.
Tip:
Wash jewelry in soapy water after cleaning with ketchup to remove the sauce smell.
Step 5. Wipe jewelry with fake gemstones in it with soapy water
Gemstones can easily come off if soaked for too long. Wet a clean washcloth with a mixture of warm water and dish soap. Gently wipe the gemstone edges of your jewelry to remove any stains.
Use a toothpick or cotton swab to remove stains in tight crevices and hard-to-reach areas
Step 6. Use a metal polish to restore the shine of the jewelry
Sometimes, jewelry may not shine after cleaning. Blot the metal polish onto the washcloth, then wipe your jewelry with the cloth. Move the cloth in a circular motion to smooth the metal surface and make it shiny again.
You can buy metal polish at any home supply store
Method 2 of 2: Thoroughly Cleaning Jewelry with Baking Soda Solution
Step 1. Line the base of the glass bowl with aluminum foil
Choose a glass bowl deep enough to hold the jewelry. Prepare a sheet of foil large enough to cover the bottom of the bowl, then place it on the inside of the bowl. Fold the foil around the edges of the bowl so it doesn't slide around.
- Aluminum foil can help remove stains so your jewelry will shine again.
- You can also use an aluminum cake mat if you have one.
Step 2. Make a solution of warm water, baking soda, and table salt
Put 15 grams of baking soda and 20 grams of table salt in a bowl. Add enough warm water to the bowl to soak the jewelry. Stir the solution with a spoon until well mixed.
Step 3. Soak your jewelry in water for 10 minutes
Place your jewelry in the bottom of the bowl so that it is completely submerged. Let the jewelry sit for 10 minutes to allow the stain to fade. Check your jewelry after 10 minutes to see if the stain is gone. If not, put the jewelry back in the water for 2 or 3 minutes.
- Baking soda and salt can lift the stain from the surface of the jewelry and transfer it to the foil.
- Do not immerse jewelry with glass or fake gemstones in it, as these solutions can loosen them.
Step 4. Scrub the jewelry with a soft-bristled toothbrush
Remove the jewelry from the cleaning solution and brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Focus on scrubbing areas with intricate designs or hard-to-reach crevices. Rub the brush in a circular motion to remove stains and restore the color of the jewelry to like new.
- Make sure the toothbrush you use is only used to clean jewelry.
- Wet your toothbrush occasionally with a solution of baking soda and salt for best results.
Tip:
If there are narrow crevices that you can't clean with a toothbrush, try scrubbing them with the tip of a toothpick.
Step 5. Rinse the jewelry and dry with a soft towel
Dip cleaned jewelry in water to rinse off any remaining cleaning solution. Use a soft microfiber towel to dry the jewelry so it doesn't rust or fade again. Wipe the jewelry with a towel until it is completely dry.
- You can use a hairdryer on a cold setting to speed up the drying process.
- Make sure the jewelry is completely dry so it doesn't rust again.
