Tarnish is considered an inevitable end to jewelry, especially for women who use extensive cosmetics and beauty products. This is because of the chemical reaction between the jewelry’s outer surface and these products.
Whether it’s silver, gold, or costume jewelry, the entire piece changes drastically once tarnished, and no one likes to see their favorite statement necklace – see reviews – go dull. But don’t worry; there are some ways that’ll rewind the clock and demolish that rusty look your necklace developed.
This article will discuss how to clean a necklace from dirt, stains, and tarnish. We’ll start with general ways and then get to material-specific ones. So keep on reading!
How Can You Clean a Necklace?
Consulting a professional jeweler to clean your necklace is admirable. However, it’s not cost-effective. Fortunately, there are alternative methods that you can apply at home and achieve the same results.
There are general methods that can be used to routinely clean your necklace and others that are more specific to the necklace’s material of manufacture (see Native American necklaces reviews). Let’s start with the general ones.
Using Dish Soap
The jewelry soak method uses dish soap as the key ingredient. This method can clean dirty jewelry and restore your jewelry’s shine.
So, if you want to give your necklace a quick bath for a brighter look, follow these steps:
- Dip your necklace in a bowl full of warm water and add a few drops of liquid dish soap. You may use baby shampoo as well.
- Place your necklace in the bowl for a few seconds, then rinse it well under cool running water.
- Using a soft cloth, gently scrub the piece to make sure it’s clean before rinsing.
- Finally, use a clean cloth for the drying process. A microfiber cloth is preferable for this step.
Tip: When choosing a detergent, make sure it’s a gentle one, such as Dawn dish soap.
Using Alcohol
Another conventional method is using alcohol. This method is more vigorous and polishes a necklace well. To apply, follow the below instructions:
- Fill a small bowl with alcohol, just enough to cover the necklace you want to clean.
- Allow the item to sit in the bowl for no more than a few minutes. Then, gently scrub the surface with a microfiber cleaning cloth to remove any stubborn stains.
Tip: Unlike other methods, rinsing and drying your jewelry is unnecessary here. As alcohol dries on metal, there’s no need to wash it off with water or dry it. This method can also be used to sterilize your different jewelry pieces. However, never use alcohol with pearls.
Using Vinegar
Vinegar can be used as a cleaner for necklaces and other jewelry pieces. Follow these steps to obtain the best results:
Tip: Never use vinegar to clean pearls as it may damage them.
Material-Specific Ways
The methods explained so far will be adequate to include in your cleaning routine. However, a thorough clean based on the necklace’s material type is recommended for more professional results. Therefore, we have listed procedures for different types of materials. So let’s have a look.
Cleaning a Gold Necklace
Using a gold jewelry cleaner is safe and most recommended. However, if you don’t prefer using commercial products, you can follow these steps to bring your gold necklace back to life.
- First, start with boiling water; pour it into a bowl and leave it to cool down.
- Then, get a baking dish and cover its inside with an aluminum foil sheet. Make sure that the shiny side is facing upwards.
- Next, prepare your cleaning paste. Mix one part of the water you boiled with three parts baking soda. Place your necklace in the dish and spread the paste.
- After that, place the gold necklace in the solution and soak it for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Lastly, rinse the item with cool water and dry it with a clean, soft cloth.
Tip: Prepare your boiling water ahead of time to avoid any accidents.
Cleaning a Silver Necklace
Like gold, buying a silver jewelry cleaner is practical. However, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. For that, we recommend using a silver polish cloth, especially when handling silver tarnish.
Follow the below instructions for a clean silver necklace. This applies to silver chains, pendants, and chokers.
- Begin by filling a bowl with warm water.
- Then, add a quarter spoon of a mild detergent and mix.
- Next, dip your silver jewelry in the mixture for 5 to 10 minutes. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean stubborn areas or crevices during the soak.
- Rinse the silver necklace using lukewarm or cold water and buff dry with a clean towel.
- Lastly, use the silver polishing cloth for a mirror finish on your silver chain or necklace.
Tip: Any soft toothbrush will be suitable. You can use an old one as long as it’s clean and free from harsh chemicals.
Cleaning a Pearls Necklace
As gentle as pearls are, they need a gentle cleaning method. Here’s what you need to do to clean pearls:
- First, get your cleaning solution ready. Mix a cup of lukewarm water with a few drops of mild detergent. The optimal temperature for water is crucial for this step. It shouldn’t be too hot or too cold to preserve your gemstones.
- Second, dip a soft cloth in the solution and wipe off any visible stains.
- Lastly, dampen a clean cloth and gently wipe any excess soap.
Tip: Avoid immersing the whole pearl necklace into the water. You might weaken the thread and let your pearls loose if you do so.
Cleaning Costume Necklaces
For costume jewelry, there are various ways to clean it efficiently. Unlike gold and silver, this type tends to develop a tarnish faster as it’s manufactured using less costly materials, such as copper, plastic, aluminum, and simulated stones. So here are the best ways to clean and remove tarnish from costume jewelry.
Lemon Juice Soak
Mix equal lemon juice and water parts to soak your jewelry piece. Place the item in the bowl for 10 to 15 minutes. You can repeat the immersion process several times, but make sure to rinse off the jewelry piece with cool water after each round before you dip it again.
Aluminum foil, Baking Soda, and Salt
First, prepare the baking soda and salt mixture by mixing one tablespoon from each ingredient. Next, add it to a cup of lukewarm water. Line a dishpan with an aluminum sheet, then place your jewelry. Pour the mixture over your items and leave them for some time. Lastly, give your pieces a good rinse.
Toothpaste
Use your hand to smudge a thin toothpaste on your grimy piece, and use a soft brush to scrub it gently. The soft bristles will help clean the grooves and tiny cracks.
How Often Should You Clean Your Necklace?
Naturally, it’s recommended to obtain a professional clean every six months. However, if you wear the same necklace every day, it’s likely to get dirty more often. Therefore, you’ll have to go for a thorough clean at least once a month to sustain its shine and glamor (see also ‘How to Clean Earrings‘).
Final Words
Cleaning your necklace regularly to maintain a neat jewelry set is essential, even for men (see men’s top necklace here). However, it would help if you were careful in doing so. Before starting your cleaning procedure, make sure you use the right ingredients and that they’re thoroughly mixed. On a separate note, as much as cleaning is important, so is choosing the right size necklace for you. The industry-standard lengths are set so you can determine the correct chain and which necklace fits you best (see chain necklace reviews). For a more thorough guide see:
14 vs. 16 Inch Necklace here
16 vs. 18 Inch Necklace here
18 vs. 20 Inch Necklace here
In addition, it’s important to identify the material used to manufacture your necklace before cleaning it, as different materials may need different approaches. This way, you won’t risk ruining your piece.