Before we get into the nitty-gritty of ways to clean your beloved jewellery, we like to emphasise that this methods here are for items that are made of base metal and not silver, gold, platinum, palladium or any other precious metal. We also don't recommend these methods for plated (as in gold- or rhodium-plated) jewellery.
If you want to clean silver or gold jewellery, we highly recommend to use special formulated cleaning products for those metals. These may be slightly more expensive than the methods presented here, but are generally very cheap (a few pounds / euros / dollars).
Caveat
Please note: The given methods are possible ways to clean your jewellery. You carry out any cleaning at your own risk. Not every method works for every piece of jewellery and what works and what doesn't usually boils down to what materials / metals you are cleaning, whether there are stones (precious or not) involved, etc. We are not responsible for any damages caused!
Always exercise care when cleaning your jewellery. If in doubt, seek professional advice.
Again: You do this at your own risk!
With that out of the way, let's get started!
Method 1: Toothpaste
Toothpaste is a mild abrasive that can help to remove tarnish from base metal jewellery. Simply apply a small amount of toothpaste to a soft cloth and rub the jewellery gently. You can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush to reach into the crevices of the piece. Afterwards, rinse the jewellery thoroughly with water and dry it with a soft cloth.
Method 2: Lemon juice
Lemon juice is acidic and can help to dissolve tarnish. Simply mix equal parts water and lemon juice in a bowl and place the tarnished item in the solution. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes. Rinse the jewellery thoroughly with water and dry it with a soft cloth.
Method 3: Baking soda and aluminum foil
This method is a bit more involved, but it is very effective at removing tarnish. First, crumple up a piece of aluminum foil. In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with enough water to form a paste. Place the jewellery on the aluminum foil and cover it with the paste. Wrap the aluminum foil around the jewellery to form a pouch and place it into a bowl. Pour boiling water into the bowl until it covers the aluminum foil pouch. Let the pouch sit for 5-10 minutes. Carefully remove the tarnished item from the pouch - remember it may be HOT! Rinse it thoroughly with water and dry with a soft cloth.
Some Tips and Things to remember
- If the jewellery has stones or delicate details, it is best to use the toothpaste method.
- Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasives to clean jewellery, as this can damage the metal.
- If the jewellery is still tarnished after cleaning, you may need to repeat the process.
- To prevent tarnish in the future, store your jewellery in a jewellery box or pouch and avoid exposing it to sweat and moisture.