Want to keep your jewellery sparkling without making frequent visits to the jeweller? Try out these home remedies to clean your diamond jewellery.
- Hydrogen peroxide
Prepare a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water at room temperature and soak the jewellery in the mixture for 15 minutes. Scrubbing is optional after this step as hydrogen peroxide is strong enough to wash away the dirt from your jewellery.
- Beer
Yes, you read that right. Although it may seem like a strange option, beer actually has a lot of cleansing properties for jewellery. If you think your jewellery and the diamond are losing their shine, pour a little beer over it and then wipe it with a soft microfiber cloth. Do not rub aggressively as it may lead to abrasion. Wipe it gently and then wash with regular water and wipe dry with a clean cloth. Use regular beer, avoid using dark ale beer or root beer, etc.
- Ketchup
Ketchup is often used for cleaning metal. It helps in removing the grime and dirt which forms a layer over jewellery over time and helps to restore its shine again. Apply ketchup to your jewellery and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes. Then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub gently so you can remove the dirt from its nooks and corners. Ketchup may not have any drastic effects on the diamond, but it is sure to clean up the metal in the jewellery and make it shine alongside the diamond. Hidden halo engagement rings can be cleaned using this method.
- Dish soap
The mild dish soap acts as a wonderfully detergent for jewellery cleansing. Prepare a mixture of warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Create a lather and then soak the jewellery in it for 20 to 30 minutes. Scrub it gently with a soft toothbrush using the same lather until it is sparkling clean. Then dip it in cold, clean water and let it sit for 5 minutes. Finally, wipe it dry with a soft washcloth.
- Hot water and baking soda
Baking soda is known to literally melt the dirt and grime accumulated on things. The same applies to jewellery. Add a spoonful of baking soda to hot water and soak your diamond jewellery in it for a few minutes. Wipe it off with a soft cloth, making sure you don’t cause any abrasions. Then wash it with clean water and wipe it dry.
One thing that should be common with any cleaning ideas is that you need to be absolutely gentle while handling it. Jewellery is delicate and cleaning is an intricate process so you need to make sure you’re not damaging any part or causing any scratches.
What NOT TO use for cleaning diamond jewellery?
Avoid using any harsh chemicals or bleach. Many store-bought cleaners have chemicals in them that may or may not work for your jewellery, but why take the risk. Avoid acetone and chlorine. They meddle with the molecular foundation of the metals and may cause discolouration.
How often should you clean your diamond jewellery?
Your jewellery gets dirty with dirt and sweat depending on how often you wear it. If it is an item of daily wear such as a diamond ring or a pendant, then cleaning once a week is a good idea to keep it looking sparkling and squeaky clean. For other items that are worn only occasionally, once in a fortnight clean-up is good enough.
Although DIY ideas take some time and effort, they are better for the overall health of your jewellery. We have tried to give you some easy and quick ones to take better care of your jewellery. Twice a year take your jewellery to a professional for cleaning.