You may have been cleaning your jewelry all wrong. Here are 5+ tips you should know
3. How to clean silver
As pretty as silver jewelry looks, it can easily develop a tarnished look if not properly cared for. Cleaning silver takes a few extra steps, but the end result is definitely worth the time. Start with a large square of aluminum foil and fold it until it fits in the bowl. Put 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of baking soda onto the foil, then pour boiling water over all of that. Place the silver jewelry into the bowl, then let it soak for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it in clean water. If the silver looks as good as new, allow it to air dry. If there are still spots that don’t look clean, let it soak in the bowl for a few more minutes.
4. How to clean pearls
Pearls always look classy — that is, unless they’ve started to take on a grimy look. Cleaning pearls is also a bit of a delicate process to avoid damage. Start by cutting off the foot of an old pair of pantyhose and placing the pearls inside. Then add 1 tablespoon of mild shampoo to a bowl of warm water. Dip the pantyhose-protected pearls into the water and use the fabric of the hose to scrub the pearls. Rinse in warm water, then remove the pearls from the pantyhose. If they look clean, pat them dry with a soft, clean towel.
5. How to clean tarnished jewelry
No matter what your jewelry is made out of, it can tarnish. If the more specific cleaning hacks above don’t work, use this method of scrubbing away tarnish. Squirt a large dollop of toothpaste into a bowl of warm water and swirl a toothbrush around in the water. Dip the jewelry into the mixture, then scrub it with the toothbrush until the tarnish is gone. Rinse the jewelry in clean water and pat it dry with a paper towel.
