Jewelry can be a gorgeous accessory but quickly become tarnished, dirty, and even covered with a film. You can take it to a professional jeweler to have it cleaned, but a much more cost-effective solution is to use baking soda. Keeping jewelry looking its best requires regular cleaning and maintenance.
While many commercial products are available for cleaning jewelry, some of the best and safest cleaning products you can use our free and already in your kitchen. A typical home item called baking soda can safely and effectively clean the jewelry and bring back its brilliance. Silver, gold, and other metals are simple to clean with baking soda, and you may also use them to clean gemstones.
Steps On How to Clean Jewelry with Baking Soda
Baking soda is an absolute must-have for keeping your jewelry clean and sparkling. This natural, non-toxic substance is affordable and highly effective at removing impurities and restoring precious metals and stones to their original luster. Here are the various ways to safely and effectively clean your jewelry with baking soda. Learn to do a deep clean without damaging your precious pieces, from gold to diamonds.
- Prepare The Baking Soda and Water Solution – Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with two cups of warm water. Stir until the baking soda is completely dissolved. This solution is gentle enough to clean most jewelry without causing any damage.
- Dip Jewelry in Baking Soda Solution – Dip your jewelry into the baking soda solution for about 5 minutes. This will allow the baking soda to do its magic and break down any residue or dirt on the jewelry.
- Gently Scrub Jewelry with A Soft Toothbrush – This will help loosen dirt and grime accumulated on your jewelry to get a deep clean.
- Rinse With Warm Water – This will help eliminate any baking soda residue left behind.
- Pat Dry with A Soft Cloth – It reduces the risk of water spots and other residues that can affect the appearance of the jewelry.
How To Prepare a Baking Soda Solution
Do you want to make your jewelry sparkle and shine? Cleaning jewelry can be tricky, but you can make your jewelry look brand new with just a few simple steps. One of the most effective methods for cleaning jewelry is to create a baking soda solution. Start with a clean bowl. Fill the bowl with warm water and add a tablespoon of baking soda. Stir until the baking soda is completely dissolved. Once the solution is ready, it’s time to submerge your jewelry.
How To Store Jewelry After Cleaning with Baking Soda
Cleaning your jewelry with baking soda is a great way to get it looking as good as new. However, it is important to store your jewelry correctly after you clean it to stay pristine. To ensure that your jewelry is stored safely, it is crucial to place jewelry in a jewelry box or individual compartments, avoid storing jewelry in direct sunlight or humid environments, clean jewelry regularly to prevent tarnish or discoloration, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for jewelry care and storage.
Safety Considerations When Using Baking Soda
Baking soda has long been used as a cleaning agent and is a staple in many households. It is a cost-effective and natural alternative to many commercial cleaning products and can be used for various purposes, including cleaning and deodorizing. However, when using baking soda, you must take safety precautions to ensure your and your family’s safety.
- Wear Protective Gloves and Eyewear When Handling Baking Soda – Safety is paramount in jewelry making. Working with baking soda can be tricky, so wearing protective gloves and eyewear to ensure you’re as safe as possible is essential. Not only does baking soda have the potential to irritate the skin, but it can also be very abrasive and cause cuts to your hands. Wearing gloves will help prevent skin irritation and protect your hands from potential cuts. It is also important to wear eye protection when working with baking soda, as it can accidentally get into your eyes and cause irritation or damage.
- Ensure The Jewelry Is Completely Submerged in The Baking Soda Solution – Using baking soda is a great way to get your pieces sparkling like new, but you need to be careful to ensure the jewelry is completely submerged in the baking soda solution. This is vital for the cleaning process, as it ensures all areas of the jewelry reach and come into contact with the baking soda. If you fail to submerge it completely, some areas of your jewelry could remain uncleaned, making it much less effective.
- Rinse The Jewelry in Cold Water After Cleaning – It is important to rinse the jewelry in cold water to make sure that all of the baking soda residues are removed from the jewelry and not left to rust or tarnish the piece. Cold water is necessary to ensure that the baking soda does not react with the metal of the jewelry, which can cause damage and discoloration over time. Cold water also helps to restore the natural shine of the jewelry, as it can help to remove any leftover residue.
- Avoid Using Baking Soda on Soft Metals, Such as Gold and Silver – When you’re taking care of jewelry, it’s important to remember that not all materials are created equal. When it comes to soft metals, like gold and silver, it’s best to avoid using baking soda. Not only can it be abrasive, but it can also strip away some of the protective coatings on jewelry or damage the metal itself. Baking soda’s corrosive properties can cause fine scratches, which can dull the shine of your jewelry and reduce its longevity.
- Clean Baking Soda Residue Off the Jewelry with A Soft Cloth After Cleaning – This simple step can make a massive difference in the longevity of your jewelry and help it sparkle for years to come. Leaving the baking soda residue on the jewelry can cause corrosion and tarnishing, which can take away from its shine and overall appearance. The residue left behind can cause the jewelry to discolor and even be abrasive to the soft metals used to craft jewelry. By taking a few extra seconds to wipe the jewelry down with a soft cloth after cleaning, you can prevent these issues and preserve the beauty of your jewelry.