Stainless steel jewellery is popular due to its durability and practicality. However, it can get tarnished over time due to the wear and tear of everyday use. There are several ways you can clean stainless steel jewellery at home, and we are going to dive into each method and which is the best for you.
Does stainless steel tarnish?
While stainless steel is more corrosion resistant than most other common metals used in jewellery manufacturing, it rusts and tarnishes. And, even though many people claim it doesn't rust, it is, like every other metal and object on the planet, destructible.
The jewellery will get dull with time and exposure to the weather; stainless steel jewellery is no exception. No piece of jewellery will remain as fresh as new for months or years.
However, stainless steel does not tarnish or rust as easily as other metals because it has a much higher amount of chromium.
The high levels of chromium make stainless steel more resistant to corrosion. Stainless steel is also a better conductor of heat than other metals, making it more desirable for cooking pots and utensils. Let's dive into how you are best to clean your stainless steel jewellery.
Best methods for cleaning stainless steel jewellery
Grab two bowls and fill them with water
Add three drops of dish soap to the 1st bowl
Dip the corner of a soft cloth into the water + soap mixture
Rub the jewellery with the dipped corner of the cloth
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, rub any excess grime away after using the cloth
Dip the stainless steel jewellery item into the 2nd bowl of just plain water to rinse it
Use a dry cloth to wipe away any excess water and leave it out to dry
Grab some plain white toothpaste
Dampen the corner of a soft cloth with warm water
Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto the cloth
Rub the fabric across the surface of the jewellery item
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, gently rub across the piece of jewellery
Plug the sink and rinse the jewellery off with warm water
Pat dry with a clean towel
In a bowl, add two parts baking soda to one part water to make a paste of baking soda and water
Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into the mixture
Gently scrub your stainless steel jewellery with a toothbrush + mixture
rinse the jewellery item with warm water
Pat the jewellery item dry with a towel
Ultrasonic cleaners are generally safe to use while cleaning stainless steel jewellery. An ultrasonic cleaner is ideal for intricate patterns or stainless steel jewellery with many nooks and crevices. What is the reason behind this? Ultrasonic cleaners use strong vibrations to go into places that a cloth can't reach. However, this may not be appropriate for all jewellery items. It can dislodge some gems and pendants, so do your research before using one.
With a bit of care, a stainless steel surface can be as shiny as when it first came out of the factory.
Polishing stainless steel is a tedious, time-consuming process.
Polish can be rubbed against the surface to remove any contaminants and rust that have been embedded in the metal. The particles then break off into smaller pieces of dirt or rust which can be easily wiped away.
If you want to keep it looking its best, here are some things that you can do:
- Don't use abrasive cleaners or rough cloths to clean the surface
- Don't use steel wool or other arbitrary abrasives to scrub stains off the surface
- If water spots are present, polish them off with a dry cloth.
If you have old silver or gold/silver plated stainless-steel jewelry, they’ve probably lost some of the original sheen that made them so beautiful. Don’t throw them out just yet! It’s easy to get them looking good as new. This is one of the great pros of stainless steel jewelry, you can bring back it's original sheen. Not only do you need to know how to revive this type of jewelry but it's also good to know about daily maintenance in order to not to reach this point. (Daily maintenance is super simple and it will apply when you’ve used the jewelry or every once in a while to maintain its sheen).
In this article, we’ll give you tried and tested tips on how to clean your jewelry so you can continue wearing it and enjoying its beauty for a long time.
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Sleek, lightweight, and glossy, stainless steel is a durable metal often used in wedding bands and fashion jewelry. It is sometimes plated with gold or silver to give it a different appearance.
Silver, on the other hand, is a delicate and versatile metal with a soft luster usually used in earrings and necklaces.
Although these metals are usually resistant to corrosion and rust, scratches and the accumulation of dust can make them dull and drab over time.
Let’s look at some easy ways to clean stainless steel jewelry, whether your cleaning your necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings or anklets.
Things you’ll need:
The best way to clean Stainless steel is with a microfiber cloth. It can be either dry or damp. Stainless steel can be prone to soap or water marks therefore try first to clean it with a dry microfiber cloth. Although stainless steel is difficult to scratch, we do recommend you pass the microfiber cloth in the direction of the grain.
What do do:
Grab a soft microfiber cloth
Gently pass the microfiber cloth in the direction of the grain to remove dust or debris.
If debris is not removed easily then you can dampen the cloth for more easability.
It is always advisable to clean your jewelry after every use. Store in a pouch or in a jewelry case. Prevent jewelry pieces of rubbing against each other to prevent scratching.
Things you’ll need:
Two large bowls
Warm water
A few drops of mild soap
A lint-free microfiber cloth
Soft-bristled toothbrush
A dry cloth or paper towel
What to do:
Fill two large bowls with warm water and add 2 to 3 drops of mild soap in the first bowl.
Dip the corner of a microfiber, lint-free cloth into the soapy water and gently scrub the jewelry with it.
Rub it along the grain and not across it to prevent scratches. You can also use a
SOFT-bristled toothbrush to rub the excess dirt and grime away.
Rinse off any soapy residue by dipping the stainless-steel jewelry into the second bowl. Wipe away any excess water using a soft dry cloth.
Do not use toothpaste, paper towel or polishing cloths as you may damage the jewelry.
If you want your stainless-steel jewelry to look good for as long as possible, keep the following tips in mind:
Keep your jewelry away from bleach and chlorine. They can stain and eventually corrode the steel’s surface.
Avoid using a commercial jewelry cleaner.
Store your stainless-steel pieces in soft cloth pouches, and ensure minimum contact with other jewelry pieces, especially metal ones and other sharp objects.
Do not use toothpaste, paper towel, ammonia cleaners, baking soda or polishing cloths as you may damage the jewelry. It is always best to try the methods described above in a small area of the piece before cleaning the whole set.
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Silver Jewelry can be cleaned the same way as stainless steel. Using a soft lint-free microfiber cloth is best. Silver is more prone to scratches than stainless steel so it is always advisable to rub against the grain and rub lightly.
There are various other methods such as the baking soda and water method, hand sanitizer method, baking soda and aluminum foil method, toothpaste method and lemon and salt and olive oil method, white distilled vinegar and baking soda method. We do not recommend any of these methods. Simple is better.
Keep your silver jewelry looking as beautiful as the day you bought them with these maintenance tips:
Limit exposing your silver jewelry to heat, humidity, and moisture.
Store your silver jewelry in a soft, microfiber pouch or bag and keep it in a cool dark place.
Place a piece of chalk or silica gel sachet in the bag to help remove moisture.
Never leave your jewelry in the bathroom.
Never wear your silver jewelry while showering or swimming in chlorinated pools.
Wear your jewelry only after your moisturizer, lotions, and perfumes have had time to sink into your skin.
Don’t let your jewelry touch each other as it can lead to scratches.
Clean your jewelry with hot, soapy water immediately after use. This can help maintain its shine for a long time.
As you can see, there are so many ways you can clean stainless steel and silver jewelry. You’ll have no excuse now for keeping your accessories lackluster and tarnished!
Although you can always have them professionally cleaned, these homemade solutions are far more rewarding and cost-effective.
For gorgeous pieces of silver and gold/silver plated stainless-steel jewelry, be inspired by the wide selection that Artizan Joyeria offers. Their jewelry is low maintenance, hypoallergenic, non-reactive to sensitive skin, and resistant to rust and corrosion.
To maintain their shine, all you need to do is store them in their original pouch and keep them away from harsh chemicals and heat. Always, rinse your stainless steel jewelry after expose to water.