Cleaning jewelry with home remedies: What really works

Cleaning jewelry with home remedies: The honest truth

The internet is full of tips for cleaning jewelry with home remedies – some really help, others do more harm than good. We'll sort them out.

What really works

• Soapy water (gold jewelry): Mild dish soap + lukewarm water + soft brush = best all-purpose method for gold
• Aluminum foil and baking soda bath (silver): Hot water + baking soda + salt + aluminum foil – chemically draws sulfides onto the foil. Works impressively well.
• Silver polishing cloth: Not a home remedy but inexpensive and effective for light tarnishing

What doesn't work (or causes damage)

• Ketchup for silver: Acid removes light tarnish, but damages stone surfaces and settings
• Toothpaste: Too abrasive for soft gold – leaves micro-scratches. Only use with caution for silver.
• Vinegar: Irreversibly damages pearls, opals, and stones of organic origin
• Chlorine or bleach: Destroys gold alloys – never use
• Table salt directly: Too abrasive, also dissolves stone adhesive

Which method for which jewelry

• Gold: Soapy water
• Silver: Aluminum foil bath or silver polishing cloth
• Pearls: Only a slightly damp cloth – never immerse
• Opals: Only a dry or slightly damp cloth

Buy jewelry with complete care instructions at corelunejewellery.de.