CLASSIC CLEANING METHOD FOR EARRINGS
1. Place your earrings into a small plastic container and fill it halfway with peroxide. 2. Let the earrings soak in the peroxide for ten to twenty minutes. Soak them overnight if they are especially dirty. 3. Take the earrings out of the container. Use a small jewelry brush or toothpicks to scour away remaining dirt and debris. 4. Set the cleaned earrings on a paper towel and let them air dry completely before wearing or storing them. This method works for most earrings. However, some types of earrings cannot be washed using the general method because the gemstones or the settings could be ruined. CLEANING EARRINGS WITH GEMSTONES The more expensive type of earrings with gold or silver settings and pricey gemstones such as diamonds should be cleaned using the following method: 1. Fill a medium-sized bowl with a cup of warm water. Pour 1/4 cup of ammonia into the water. Put the diamond earrings into the solution and let them sit for about twenty minutes. 2. Make sure to put on rubber gloves before removing the earrings from the ammonia solution. Put the earrings into a second bowl containing fresh warm water. Add about a teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Swish the earrings around in the bowl. 3. Scrub the diamond earrings gently with a soft toothbrush or a jewelry brush. Try to get into the crevices, where dirt and debris are most likely to accumulate. Scrub the earrings until they take on a shine. 4. Rinse the earrings in a third bowl of warm water. Soap residue can give the diamonds a cloudy appearance, so rinse them thoroughly! Lay the earrings on a soft cloth. Microfiber hand towels are soft and absorbent. When the earrings are dry, lightly polish them with the fabric. CLEANING SILVER EARRINGS Some metals, if not cleaned properly, lose their shine and begin to appear dull and old. Cleaning silver earrings using the standard cleaning method is not recommended. Use this method instead: 1. Line a small glass baking pan with tinfoil. Make sure the shiny side is up. 2. Put the earrings on the aluminum foil. You can clean several pairs at a time with this method. 3. Fill the pan with warm water. Make sure that the earrings are completely immersed in the water. 4. Sprinkle a handful of baking soda over the top of the hot water. Keep adding baking soda until a chemical reaction occurs on the earrings. 5. Keep the earrings in the baking soda/water mixture for a full hour. 6. Rinse the earrings in plain water and towel them dry with a soft cloth. ADDITIONAL CLEANING TIPS The following tips will help you prolong the life of your earrings: If your silver earrings have settings with jewels glued to them, do not use the silver cleaning method. Instead use jewelry cleaner and a soft cloth to shine the earrings up. E.g. Sparkle Bright All-Natural Jewelry Cleaner: Tarnish Remover & Polishing Cream Pearl jewelry should never be cleaned with harsh chemicals. A solution of mild soap and warm water should be enough to keep them clean. Allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away. Never wash your earrings over a sink. Using a bowl to clean your earrings will prevent them from getting lost down the drain. Avoid wearing earrings to bed, during a shower or while swimming. FROM: http://www.jewelrynotes.com/clean-care-earrings/
1 Comment
Wash silver with soap and water as the crevices accumulate dirt. With a soft worn toothbrush, apply dampened baking soda or a mixture of natural soap (Palmolive) with a bit of sudsy ammonia or borax. For flat surfaces a silver cloth can be used to rub. Over time oxidation can occur in silver jewelry, especially with sulfur and oxygen, causing the silver to tarnish. Wearing and handling slows the oxidation process and keeps your silver polished, shiny and beautiful. Eventually a patina develops. Avoid exposure to perfume, deodorants, hairspray, salt water, chemicals or abrasive substances. Minimize tarnish and scratches by storing your jewelry in individual small plastic bags and separate compartments in your jewelry box. Invest in a jewelry box lined with 'tarnish-free' material to keep silver bright and sparkling. Place anti-tarnish paper strips or silica gel packets inside your jewelry box. Cut the strips into small pieces and place one in each small plastic bag with your jewelry. You'll find these strips at a craft or hardware store.
A safe way to clean silver jewelry is with a polishing cloth treated with cleaning chemicals. Not only will it last a long time, but it creates an amazing shine every time. Polish jewelry after wearing, and before you place it in its plastic bag. This removes oils, fingerprints and dust keeping jewelry in pristine condition. Silver polishing cloths are available from Arte Fact Jewels ($5 each), at major supermarkets, at hardware and at jewelry stores. PLEASE DON'T:
If you take care of your silver jewelry now, it can last a lifetime and be passed along as heirloom jewelry for future generations. From: http://beautifulsilverjewelry.blogspot.com/2005/11/how-to-care-for-your-silver-jewelry.html |