How to Clean Jewelry at Home: 7 Simple Steps to Preserve its Shine

Jewelry can often be cleaned at home with lukewarm water, a small amount of mild soap, and a soft, lint-free cloth. Start by checking the material, clean gently, rinse off soap residue, and dry the jewelry completely. Avoid toothpaste, harsh brushes, and strong cleaning agents, especially on plated jewelry, pearls, and delicate stones.

The most important thing is not to clean jewelry as vigorously as possible. It is to use the right method for the right material.

A piece of jewelry made of 316L stainless steel can withstand a different type of daily care than, for example, a pearl or a delicate surface-treated piece of jewelry. With a few simple habits, you can remove skin oil, soap residue, and dirt without subjecting the jewelry to unnecessary wear and tear.

In this article

• What do you need to clean jewelry at home?
• How to clean jewelry at home in 7 steps?
• How often should you clean your jewelry?
• How to clean 316L stainless steel?
• How to clean jewelry with PVD gold?
• How to clean sterling silver?
• How to clean jewelry with pearls and stones?
• What cleaning mistakes should you avoid?
• How to store jewelry after cleaning?
• Frequently asked questions

What do you need to clean jewelry at home?

For regular cleaning, you don't need a cupboard full of special products. On the contrary, a simple and mild method is often best.

• A small bowl
• Lukewarm water
• A small amount of mild soap
• A clean, soft, and lint-free cloth
• An extra soft brush only if the jewelry's material and details can withstand it
• A dry towel to place the jewelry on

Before you start, you should check what the jewelry is actually made of. If you don't know the material, or if the jewelry contains delicate or treated stones, it's better to choose a very gentle method or follow the manufacturer's care instructions.

How to clean jewelry at home in 7 easy steps?

Step 1: Check the jewelry's material

Always start here. Find out if the jewelry consists of stainless steel, PVD-treated steel, sterling silver, pearls, or other stones. Also, check if there are glued or delicate decorative details.

The same cleaning method does not suit all materials.

Step 2: Prepare lukewarm water and mild soap

Fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild soap.

Avoid very hot water. It is not necessary for common dirt and can be unsuitable for certain stones, glue, or delicate materials.

Step 3: Gently clean the jewelry

Use your fingers or a soft cloth to gently loosen skin oil, soap residue, and everyday dirt.

Pay extra attention to:

• The inside of rings
• Clasps and chains
• The back of earrings
• Areas around settings
• Small joints where skin cream and dirt can accumulate

Avoid hard scrubbing. More force does not automatically mean cleaner jewelry.

Step 4: Use a soft brush only when needed

A very soft brush can help around details that are difficult to reach with a cloth.

However, do not automatically use the brush on pearls, delicate stones, or fragile surface treatments. Soft materials can be scratched significantly more easily than metal.

Step 5: Rinse off all soap residue

Rinse the jewelry gently in clean, lukewarm water.

Preferably use a separate bowl instead of holding small jewelry over an open drain. This reduces the risk of a ring, an earring, or a loose detail disappearing down the sink.

Step 6: Dry the jewelry completely

Gently dry with a clean, soft, and lint-free cloth.

Then place the jewelry on a dry towel until all remaining moisture has disappeared, especially around clasps, chains, and other small spaces.

Step 7: Store the jewelry separately

Once the jewelry is completely dry, you can put it back in its case, box, or a soft storage bag.

Avoid throwing several pieces of jewelry loosely together. Metal, stones, and other hard surfaces can rub against each other and create scratches.

How often should you clean your jewelry?

There is no exact cleaning calendar that suits all jewelry.

How often you need to clean them depends on how often they are used and what they come into contact with. Everyday jewelry may need to be wiped down significantly more often than jewelry only worn on special occasions.

It's time to clean the jewelry when you notice:

• Fingerprints or skin oil
• Soap or hand cream residue
• Duller shine
• Dirt around clasps or settings
• Residue after exercise, swimming, or a hot day

A quick wipe with a soft cloth after use can reduce the need for more extensive cleaning.

How to clean 316L stainless steel?

316L stainless steel is corrosion-resistant and relatively easy to care for. For regular cleaning, lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth are sufficient in most cases.

1. Dampen the jewelry with lukewarm water.
2. Use a small amount of mild soap.
3. Gently clean with your fingers or a soft cloth.
4. Rinse thoroughly.
5. Dry the jewelry completely.

Avoid abrasive cleaning products even if the steel is durable. A shiny or polished surface can still get small scratches.

If you want to understand why 316L is used in everyday jewelry, you can read our guide on 316L stainless steel vs sterling silver.

How to clean jewelry with PVD gold?

PVD is a surface treatment, which means that cleaning should be effective enough to remove dirt but mild enough not to subject the surface to unnecessary wear.

For 316L jewelry with a PVD finish, we recommend a simple method:

1. Use lukewarm water.
2. Add a small amount of mild soap.
3. Gently clean with your fingers or a very soft cloth.
4. Rinse off soap and product residue.
5. Dry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.

Avoid metal polish, silver polish, toothpaste, and abrasive cleaning agents. They are not necessary for regular PVD care and can affect a surface finish.

If you want to know more about the surface treatment itself, you can read What is PVD gold? How it differs from regular gold plating.

How to clean sterling silver?

Sterling silver requires a slightly different strategy as silver can tarnish through a natural reaction with substances in the environment.

Common dirt can often be removed with lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth. For tarnishing, a polishing cloth designed for silver may be suitable.

However, be careful if the silver jewelry also has:

• A plated surface
• Pearls
• Porous stones
• Treated stones
• Antique or intentionally oxidized finish

A product suitable for untreated sterling silver may not be suitable for everything attached to the jewelry.

How to clean jewelry with pearls and stones?

Here you need to be more careful.

Pearls are soft and can be damaged by chemicals, acids, harsh friction, and certain cleaning methods. For daily care, a very soft cloth after use is a good first choice.

Do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaning on pearls.

Perfume, hairspray, and cosmetics should also be applied before pearl jewelry is put on.

For stones, the correct method depends on the type of stone and whether it has been treated. Some stones tolerate mild soap and water well, while others are sensitive to heat, chemicals, or temperature changes.

If you are unsure about a stone or its treatment, use a soft cloth and check material-specific care instructions before proceeding.

What 5 mistakes should you avoid when cleaning jewelry?

1. Using toothpaste

Toothpaste is made for teeth, not jewelry finishes. It can contain abrasive ingredients that create small scratches.

2. Using the same method on all jewelry

Steel, silver, pearls, and different stones have different properties. Always check the material first.

3. Scrubbing too hard

Aggressive scrubbing can scratch metal, affect a surface coating, or damage delicate details.

4. Using strong chemicals

Chlorine, bleach, and strong household chemicals do not belong in a regular jewelry cleaning routine.

5. Storing the jewelry while it is still damp

Dry the jewelry thoroughly before storage. Moisture can remain around clasps, chain links, and other small details.

Which cleaning method suits which material?

How to store jewelry after cleaning?

Good cleaning helps less if the jewelry then lies rubbing against other jewelry.

First, make sure the jewelry is completely dry. Then store it separately in a soft bag, box, or a jewelry box with separate compartments.

• Close chains before putting them away to reduce tangles.
• Store rings so they don't hit each other.
• Keep soft pearls away from harder stones and metal edges.
• Store jewelry in a dry place.
• Do not put away jewelry with skin cream, sweat, or perfume residue on the surface.

If you want to read more about daily care, you can also read our guide on jewelry you can shower with.

Frequently asked questions about cleaning jewelry at home

Can you clean jewelry with dish soap?

A very small amount of mild soap or mild dish soap can work for many durable pieces of jewelry, but not all materials and stones should be treated the same way. Always check the material first and use as little product as needed.

Can you clean jewelry with toothpaste?

It is not recommended as a general cleaning method. Toothpaste can be abrasive and risks scratching polished surfaces or affecting surface treatments.

Can you clean jewelry with baking soda?

Baking soda is used in many home remedies, but it is not a good standard recommendation for all jewelry. It can be too abrasive for some surfaces and is unsuitable if you do not know all the materials or treatments in the jewelry.

How do you clean gold-plated jewelry?

Be careful with gold-plated surfaces. Use a soft cloth and, when the product's care instructions allow it, lukewarm water with a small amount of mild soap. Avoid harsh scrubbing and abrasive polishes because the gold layer is on the surface of the jewelry.

How do you make jewelry shiny again?

Start with gentle cleaning. Skin oil, soap, and cosmetics can create a dull film that makes the jewelry look less shiny. If the shine does not return after cleaning, the problem may be scratches, oxidation, or wear on the surface treatment.

Can you use an ultrasonic cleaner at home?

Not as a universal solution. Ultrasound can be unsuitable for certain stones, treatments, and jewelry constructions. Pearls should not be cleaned with ultrasound. If you do not know all the materials and treatments in the jewelry, a mild manual method is safer.

A simple routine goes a long way

You rarely need strong chemicals to keep everyday jewelry clean. Start with the material, use a gentle method, and clean carefully and regularly rather than aggressively and infrequently.

For 316L stainless steel and PVD-coated everyday jewelry, lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth go a long way for regular cleaning. Pearls and some stones require more care.

If your goal is to keep jewelry looking good longer, cleaning is only part of the equation. How you wear, dry, and store them is just as important.

Sources and further reading

• Gemological Institute of America: tips for caring for jewelry
• Gemological Institute of America: cleaning and care of pearls