Keeping your jewelry clean and sparkling can be a challenge. While professional jewelers offer cleaning services, these can be expensive and inconvenient for frequent cleanings. Luckily, you can easily make your own homemade jewelry cleaner with just a few inexpensive ingredients and materials. Making your own DIY jewelry cleaner allows you to clean your jewelry safely and efficiently at home.
Why Make Your Own Jewelry Cleaner
There are several benefits to creating your own homemade DIY jewelry cleaner rather than using commercial cleaners or professional cleaning services:
- Cost savings – Making your own cleaning solution is very affordable compared to buying commercial jewelry cleaner. The ingredients usually only cost a few dollars.
- Convenience – You can clean your jewelry at home whenever needed without having to make a trip to the jeweler. This allows you to clean pieces regularly.
- Custom formula – You can tweak the homemade cleaner recipe to suit your particular jewelry cleaning needs.
- Safety – With homemade cleaner you know exactly what ingredients you are using on your precious jewelry without harsh chemicals.
- Effectiveness – The right homemade cleaner can clean jewelry just as effectively as store-bought brands.
How DIY Jewelry Cleaner Works
Homemade DIY jewelry cleaner works by combining mild cleaning agents and water. This cleaning solution is ideal for dissolving dirt, oil, and grime that builds up on jewelry over time. Here is a breakdown of how the ingredients work to clean jewelry:
- Mild dish soap – Cuts through oil and grease without being harsh.
- Baking soda – A gentle abrasive that lifts dirt and grime when mixed into a paste.
- Salt – Also serves as a gentle abrasive for scrubbing away buildup.
- Vinegar – Helps dissolve tarnish and residue.
- Ammonia – An effective yet mild alkaline cleaner that dissolves grime.
- Hydrogen peroxide – Foams and bubbles away dirt and grime from intricate jewelry crevices.
- Water – The base that allows cleaning action and rinses jewelry after cleaning.
When these ingredients are combined into a jewelry cleaning solution, they work together to gently lift away dirt, oil, grease, and tarnish from jewelry without damage.
Gather the Needed DIY Jewelry Cleaner Supplies
Making homemade jewelry cleaner only requires a few inexpensive, easy-to-find ingredients and materials:
Cleaner Ingredients
- Dish soap
- Baking soda
- Salt
- White vinegar
- Ammonia
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Water
Equipment
- Small bowls or containers for mixing cleaner
- Soft-bristled toothbrush for scrubbing
- Clean cloth for buffing
- Small jar or container with lid for storing cleaner
- Foil or towel
- Eye dropper or pipette for rinsing cracks
For best results, use distilled water for mixing cleaner rather than tap water, which could leave mineral deposits. You will also need something to clean – dirty jewelry!
How to Make Basic Homemade Jewelry Cleaner
The basic homemade jewelry cleaner recipe includes just a few ingredients that can be customized based on your cleaning needs.
Basic Jewelry Cleaner Recipe:
- 1 cup warm distilled water
- 1 tsp liquid dish soap
- 1 tsp baking soda
To make:
- Add the dish soap and baking soda to the warm water. Mix well until combined.
- Store cleaner in a labeled jar with lid for easy access.
- To use, soak jewelry for 10-30 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft brush and rinse.
This simple cleaner works well for many jewelry types when made fresh. For best results, make a new batch each time you clean your jewelry rather than storing for extended periods.
Customizing Your Jewelry Cleaner
You can customize and strengthen your basic homemade jewelry cleaner in several ways:
- For more cleaning power, use hot water rather than warm
- Add 1⁄4 cup ammonia for extra grease-cutting ability
- Add 1 tsp salt if you need more polishing and scrubbing grit
- For silver, add 1⁄4 cup white vinegar to help remove tarnish
- For diamonds or gems, stir in 1⁄4 cup hydrogen peroxide for extra shine
Test any new additions on inconspicuous areas first to ensure compatibility with your jewelry type before fully cleaning an item.
Specialty Homemade Jewelry Cleaner Recipes
In addition to the basic all-purpose jewelry cleaner, you can whip up specialty cleaner recipes targeted to specific metals and jewelry types when needed.
Homemade Gold Jewelry Cleaner
Gold is vulnerable to scratches so needs a gentle cleaner. Mix together in a labeled jar:
- 1 cup warm water
- 1⁄4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tsp liquid dish soap
- 1 tsp baking soda
Soak gold jewelry for 15-30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
Homemade Silver Jewelry Cleaner
Remove tarnish from silver with this recipe:
- 1 cup warm water
- 1⁄4 cup white vinegar
- 1⁄2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
Soak silver for 5-10 minutes, rinse with water, then buff dry with a clean cloth.
Homemade Diamond Jewelry Cleaner
Diamonds and other gemstones need a cleaner that adds extra shine. Mix:
- 1 cup warm water
- 1⁄4 cup ammonia
- 1 tsp dish soap
- 1⁄4 cup hydrogen peroxide
Soak diamonds for 20-30 minutes, scrub behind settings with a soft brush, and rinse thoroughly.
Homemade Pearl Jewelry Cleaner
Sensitive pearls require a mild cleaning solution. Never soak pearls. Instead, mix:
- 1⁄2 cup warm water
- 1 tsp dish soap
Use a soft cloth dampened in the solution to gently wipe pearls clean. Rinse with clean water and pat dry.
How to Use Your Homemade Jewelry Cleaner
Using your DIY jewelry cleaner to clean your pieces is a simple process:
- Fill a small bowl or container with your homemade jewelry cleaning solution. For best results, use glass, ceramic, plastic, or stainless steel – not aluminum.
- For rings, bracelets, and other removable jewelry, submerge the piece completely in the solution. For necklaces and strands, drape long pieces into the bowl ensuring all surfaces contact the cleaner.
- Allow jewelry to soak for 5-30 minutes depending on the solution and how dirty the item is. Periodically move jewelry around to lift and dissolve more dirt.
- After soaking, remove jewelry and scrub away any remaining dirt and buildup with a soft bristled toothbrush. Get into crevices and under stones. Take care not to scratch delicate materials.
- Rinse thoroughly under warm running water. Use an eye-dropper to get into small cracks and crevices. Make sure all cleaner residue is removed.
- Pat dry with a soft lint-free cloth or microfiber towel. Air dry or buff gently with a clean cloth. Your jewelry is sparkling clean!
For best maintenance, aim to clean jewelry regularly every few months rather than just occasionally. Be very gentle when cleaning heirloom or vintage pieces.
Tips for Cleaning Different Jewelry Types
Certain jewelry materials and styles require special care when cleaning:
- Pearls/Opals – Never soak, only wipe gently with a damp soft cloth using minimal cleaner
- Turquoise – Avoid soaking more than 5 minutes, wipe mostly
- Emeralds – No soaking, clean by wiping only
- Sea Glass Jewelry – Extremely gentle cleaning by wiping one small area at a time
- Vintage/Antique – Test cleaner first on inconspicuous spot, soak briefly, extra gentle scrubbing
If you are ever unsure how a homemade cleaner will react with a particular gemstone or metal, start by testing on a small discreet area first.
Storing and Maintaining Your Homemade Jewelry Cleaner
To keep your DIY jewelry cleaner effective for multiple uses, follow these storage tips:
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
- Label bottle with ingredients and date mixed.
- Remake cleaner every 2-3 months for best results.
- Discard if you notice any change in color or smell.
- Keep away from heat, sun, and children.
A well-stored homemade cleaner can be effective for several months when made fresh using the right recipe for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is homemade jewelry cleaner safe?
Homemade cleaner is safe for most jewelry when you use the proper gentle ingredients in appropriate ratios. Avoid harsh chemicals. Test on an inconspicuous area first if concerned.
What is the best homemade jewelry cleaner recipe?
The basic cleaner with dish soap, baking soda, and water works well for most needs. Tailor recipes to specific metals and gemstones using ingredients like vinegar, ammonia, or peroxide.
How long should I soak jewelry in homemade cleaner?
Most jewelry only needs 5-30 minutes soaking time. More delicate materials like pearls should just be wiped clean. Monitor jewelry while soaking and remove once grime is dissolved.
Can I clean all jewelry types with homemade cleaner?
Homemade cleaner works well for most jewelry except more sensitive pearls, opals, emeralds, etc. which are best wiped clean. Test cleaner first on heirloom and antique pieces. Avoid soaking these for long.
What ratio of ingredients should I use?
A good standard is 1 cup warm water, 1 teaspoon dish soap, 1 teaspoon baking soda. Adjust recipes from there based on your needs, adding 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup ammonia, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or salt.
How often should I clean my jewelry with homemade cleaner?
Aim to deep clean jewelry with homemade cleaner every 2-3 months. For rings and pieces worn daily or that get grimy fast, clean every 4-6 weeks for best results and to prevent buildup.
Will homemade cleaner damage or dissolve pearls?
No, it will not damage pearls if used properly by wiping gently to clean. Avoid soaking pearls. The small amount of dish soap in recipes is mild enough for pearls.
Is homemade silver cleaner safe for diamonds?
No, the vinegar in homemade silver cleaner can be damaging to diamonds or other gemstones. Use separate specialized cleaners tailored for silver and diamonds for safety.
Conclusion
Cleaning your treasured jewelry at home using an effective homemade DIY jewelry cleaner helps keep your pieces sparkling and extends their life at a fraction of the cost of professional cleanings.
With just a few inexpensive ingredients – dish soap, baking soda, vinegar, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and water – you can mix up customized cleaners that rival store-bought brands.
Soak diamonds, gold, and silver jewelry for a deep clean. More delicate pearls and opals are best gently wiped. Test cleaner on inconspicuous spots first for safety.
Keeping your collection clean takes just minutes with a homemade cleaner readily on hand so you can clean jewelry thoroughly and conveniently at home whenever needed.