Keeping your jewellery looking its best while at home
We know that when you buy or are gifted a beautiful piece of jewellery you want to keep it looking lovely. Jewellery is made to last through generations, but that doesn’t mean it won’t tarnish or retain dirt. We have created a guide on how to keep your jewellery looking as good as new and all can be done at home at low costs.
“keep wearing your cufflinks and it will keep them clean” – Henry Deakin, Managing Director.
How to clean Sparkling Silver
Sterling Silver is known to tarnish. This happens as it reacts with the moisture, ultraviolet light and sulphur in the air. Chemicals such as hairspray, deodorant and perfume can speed up tarnishing. Silver also tarnishes faster in areas with air pollution and high humidity.
Cleaning very lightly tarnished items
To clean very lightly tarnished items, you can use silver polishing cloths.
Cleaning smaller items that are dirtier or heavier tarnished
For dirtier or heavier tarnished items this is what we suggest: All you need is dish soap (such as Fairy Liquid), a soft bristled toothbrush, a lint free cloth and some warm water. Add a couple drops of the dish soap to warm water in a bowl.
Cleaning jewellery in a bowl is important, rather than adding straight into a sink as you could be at risk of the jewellery going down the plug hole.
Place your jewellery within the liquid and brush very lightly with your soft toothbrush. This will help to dislodge any dirt. Rinse the jewellery under cool water and then dry with a lint free cloth.
This method is fine to use with all jewellery including jewellery that is enamelled, just be sure not to brush too hard. If your jewellery is enamelled avoid using anything stronger or a cleaning solution that does not mention if it is ok to use on enamel.
Cleaning larger and heavily tarnished silver items
For larger and heavily tarnished silver items you can use a mixture of 3-parts baking soda to 1-part water. Wet the silver first and then apply the paste with a lint free cloth. As you are buffing the paste onto the item make sure you are turning the cloth as it picks up the tarnish. Rinse and dry.
How to clean Gleaming Gold
Cleaning gold jewellery can be done in nearly the exact same way as sterling silver. Again, all you need is dish soap, a soft bristled toothbrush, a lint free cloth and some warm water.
How to clean gold jewellery
Four steps to cleaning gold jewellery:
- Place a couple drops of dish soap within a bowl of warm water.
- This time place your jewellery within the liquid and leave for 5 minutes.
- Gently brush and make sure you get to all the hard to reach and small areas as this is where the dirt can build up.
- Once you have dislodged any trapped dirt return to soak for another minute before rinsing and drying.
Always be careful when cleaning your jewellery, especially if they are set with gemstones. For all jewellery make sure you check first, before cleaning, that no gemstones seem loose. If you want cleaning tips on specific items of jewellery contact us at cufflinks@deakinandfrancis.com.
