You want to make sure your prized pieces don’t lose their shine, but avoid using chemicals to clean them. These can damage the gorgeous pieces that mean so much to you.
Here are eco friendly tips to make your bling beautiful:
Brush it up
Toothpaste is a great way to make silver shine. Just apply it to a toothbrush and gently scrub your items. Your best bet is to use a natural toothpaste, such as Nature Fresh Aloe Gum Therapy Toothpaste. Organic toothpaste is gentle on teeth, so it’s also good for your silver jewelry. Brush your silver gently as you don’t want to scratch it.
Kitchen confidential
This is a great ingredient for various types of cleaning around the house, so it’s an easy way to boost your valuables. Place some baking soda on a damp non-abrasive cloth and gently polish your silver. When it comes to cleaning your diamond rings, mix one cup of hot water with one or two teaspoons of baking soda and soak the rings for a few minutes before drying them with a damp cloth.
Let it boil
Stones such as rubies, diamonds and sapphire can be cleaned by being boiled. But you want to be gentle so that you don’t damage the delicate stones. Put some dishwashing liquid in a pot of water and place your jewelry in a strainer above the water. Bring the pot to a gentle boil for about ten to fifteen minutes, then remove the pot and let it cool before gently brushing, rinsing and drying the stones.
Pretty pearls
Pearls are really delicate so you don’t want to use any detergents on them – even eco-friendly products can be harsh. Your best bet is to dampen a cloth with water and a mild soap such as Lux before gently rubbing the pearls in a circular motion. Make sure to avoid commercial soaps with high acidity as these are too abrasive.
General Tips:
- Don’t expose your silver to household chemicals, chlorinated water or direct sunlight. Always put your jewelry on last when dressing up so that you don’t expose it to things such as hairspray or perfume.
- If you want to freshen up your diamonds, you can clean them with soapy water and an old toothbrush. But be gentle, especially with older settings. Skip the toothpaste that can be too harsh on some stones or settings.
- Wear pearls regularly to keep them polished by your skin’s natural oils. Whenever you take them off, wipe them with a dry cotton cloth and store them separately from other jewelry to prevent scratches.
