To prevent costume jewelry from oxidizing, it’s essential to maintain and clean it regularly. Even if this jewelry naturally oxidizes over time, it can go a long way if you adopt the right tips. These accessories can easily regain their lustre with the help of products and accessories that are part of our daily lives. Here are a few tips from Planetys jewellers on how to effectively clean your costume jewelry.
Proper care for your costume jewelry
Whatever the metal used to manufacture your costume jewelry, it’s essential to adopt the right habits to maintain it on a daily basis. Once you’ve bought your costume jewelry in a boutique, it’s best to cover it with a clear varnish. This keeps them shiny and prevents them from leaving green stains on your skin.
Remember to use neutral varnish on both sides of the jewel. Spray varnish is also an excellent way to protect costume jewelry, especially if you have a large quantity. This practical solution preserves the jewels’ mother-of-pearl and enhances their beauty.
To keep your jewels in good condition for a long time, it’s also important to store them properly. Ideally, they should be stored in a drawer or jewelry box with several compartments. This prevents them from rubbing against each other and tarnishing. Then store the closed box in a cool, dry place.
To keep your costume jewelry looking its best, clean it regularly or after each wear. This can be done using a soft, clean cloth to polish them. You can opt for a microfiber cloth or chamois leather. The purpose of this maneuver is to remove any dirt, dust, traces of make-up, sweat or cream that the costume jewelry has accumulated over the course of the day.
Don’t make mistakes when cleaning your jewelry
Unintentionally, certain habits we adopt can shorten the life of costume jewelry. Here are a few mistakes to avoid:
- –avoid prolonged exposure to humidity (swimming pool, sea water…),
- –do not store them in the bathroom, to limit contact with water,
- –avoid contact with perfume or make-up,
- –avoid wearing your costume jewelry when handling gardening chemicals,
- –don ‘t wear your rings, necklaces or other metal jewelry to sleep.
To keep your costume jewelry looking good for years to come, remove it before going to the gym. Sweat is a factor that causes oxidation.
How to clean your costume jewelry?
To care for costume jewelry, it’s essential to have the right tools and the right cleaning products. Our online boutique offers high-quality jewelry for men, women and children at affordable prices. They are carefully selected to ensure that consumers will be able to use them for a very long time.
Water and Marseille soap
One of the best ways to clean costume jewelry is with soap and water. First, add liquid soap or baby shampoo to plain water. Using a soft cloth or toothbrush, clean the surface of the jewelry.
You can use a toothpick or cotton bud to clean hard-to-reach areas. Rinse with clean water and dry.
Water and methylated spirits
Thanks to its strong cleaning power, household spirit can be used to care for any piece of jewelry. Here, you’ll need to dilute it in water before use. Then soak your costume jewelry in the solution. On the other hand, avoid using alcohol only on gemstones that are not crystals. Only gems such as rubies and diamonds can be cleaned with alcohol alone.
Baking soda
Baking soda is the miracle product that needs no introduction. It is highly effective for cleaning silver and costume jewelry. Simply use aluminum foil to cover the surface of a bowl or soup plate. Then mix a tablespoon of baking soda and salt in hot water. Place the jewelry on the aluminum foil, then pour the mixture over it.
Contact between the aluminum foil and the mixture will trigger a chemical reaction that produces bubbles. It is this reaction that thoroughly cleans the costume jewelry. Rinse with cold water and dry with a clean cloth.
Coca Cola
Some types of costume jewelry can be cleaned with Coca-Cola, but this depends on the material. Coca-Cola contains phosphoric acid, which can help dissolve stains and dirt on certain metals such as silver, copper and stainless steel. However, it’s important to note that the acid can also damage certain types of costume jewelry, especially those that are gold-plated or contain precious or semi-precious stones. If you decide to use Coca-Cola to clean your costume jewelry, here are the steps to follow:
- Pour Coca-Cola into a shallow container and leave the jewelry to soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Use a soft brush to gently scrub the jewelry, especially stained areas.
- Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.
- If the jewelry is not completely clean, repeat the process or consider using a different cleaning method.
In summary, Coca-Cola can be used to clean certain types of costume jewelry, but it’s important to be careful with materials and gemstones that could be damaged by the phosphoric acid contained in the drink.
Lemon and white vinegar
Lemon juice is a popular method for effectively cleaning jewelry. First, dilute lemon juice with a reasonable amount of water. Immerse the jewels in the solution and leave for 15 minutes. If your jewelry is not quite clean after this time, rinse it and immerse it in the mixture for a few more minutes.
White vinegar is also an excellent way to restore the shine of your costume jewelry. To do this, pour a reasonable quantity of the product into a container and immerse your accessories in it. Leave them for about two hours, especially if their oxidation level is high. Then remove and rinse. Bear in mind that this method is only valid for silver costume jewelry.
Toothpaste
For this grandmotherly trick, spread toothpaste on your bracelet, necklace, ring or earrings. Using an old toothbrush, clean the surface of the jewelry, taking care to scrub all the nooks and crannies.
Rinse with cold water and dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Clay stone and salt
This method involves mixing a pinch of salt and a drop of washing-up liquid with clay stone. Rub the mixture into the jewelry in your hand.
You can use a toothbrush to reach inaccessible areas. Finally, rinse with water and dry.
Vinegar, salt and flour
The combination of salt, flour and vinegar will restore your jewelry to its original shine. If they’re set with stones, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to reach corners and crevices. For this tip, mix the three ingredients to obtain a homogeneous paste. Soak your ornaments in the mixture for a few minutes. Take them out, then clean them in cold water.
