Whether caked with sunscreen and lotion from daily wear or oxidized from sitting in a drawer for too long, our jewelry needs to be cleaned. Here's how to do it.
It's easy to not notice the pieces we wear often building up gunk in the crevices, but once they are clean they will sparkle and shine like new. I wear my braided band ring daily and it accumulates lotion and buildup that is frankly gross. The solution is as simple as using a soft toothbrush and soapy water to give it a good scrub. This will make a huge difference in the appearance of your jewelry. Finish with a polishing cloth to dry and remove and lingering oxidation.
I love the warm glow of copper, but it tarnishes easily. When I wear my copper byzantine necklace all of the time, it stays nice and shiny as it rubs against my skin and clothing. But if it has been sitting in my jewelry box for a while, it looks dark and dull. The solution is a dip in something acidic like vinegar or lemon juice. I soaked half of the necklace in the photos below to show the difference. It took about an hour, but this will depend on what acid you choose and the temperature so just keep an eye on it.
The moon phase earrings got both treatments, first a soapy scrub and then a dip in the vinegar. I finished with a polishing cloth to restore some of the shine and they're as good as new!
I hope you are inspired to give your jewelry a bath. You will be glad you did!