How to Clean Dirty Jewelry
Safely remove built-up grime, oils, and tarnish from metal and gemstone jewelry using gentle soaking, soft brushing, and streak-free drying.
- Read the tools, materials, safety notes, and steps below for free.
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🧰 Required Tools & Equipment
- ✓ Small glass or ceramic bowl
- ✓ Soft-bristled baby toothbrush
- ✓ Lint-free microfiber cloth
- ✓ Fine-mesh metal strainer
- ✓ Wooden toothpick
📦 Materials & Supplies
- ✓ Mild dish soap (phosphate-free)
- ✓ Warm distilled water
- ✓ Polishing cloth for precious metals
⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings
- • Ensure sink drain is fully plugged or covered with a strainer before handling jewelry near running water.
- • Do not use hot water or mechanical agitation on soft or porous stones like pearls, opals, or turquoise.
- • Verify gemstones are firmly seated in their prongs prior to scrubbing.
📋 Step-by-Step Guide (6 Steps)
Prepare the Work Area and Plug Drains
Lay down a dry microfiber towel on a flat, well-lit surface next to the sink. Place a drain stopper or fine-mesh strainer directly over the sink drain to eliminate the risk of dropping small pieces down the plumbing.
- • Sink drain is completely covered by a mesh strainer or rubber stopper.
- • A flat towel workstation is laid out flat on the counter.
- • Working directly over an open sink drain without a protective guard.
Mix the Soaking Solution
Fill a small glass bowl with warm (not boiling) water. Add 2 to 3 drops of mild liquid dish soap and stir gently with a finger until light suds form without excessive foam.
- • Clear to faintly cloudy warm water in the bowl with a light surface film of bubbles.
- • Using boiling water which can crack heat-sensitive gemstones like emeralds.
Submerge and Soak the Jewelry
Carefully submerge the jewelry pieces into the soapy solution, ensuring they rest on the bottom without overlapping heavily. Let solid gold, platinum, silver, and hard stones (diamonds, sapphires, rubies) soak for 10 to 15 minutes to soften oils and grime.
- • All metal and stone surfaces are fully submerged beneath the liquid line.
- • Soaking porous gems like pearls, coral, or glued fashion jewelry, which loosens adhesives.
Gently Brush Grime and Crevices
Hold one piece securely over the bowl. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to lightly buff the underside of gem settings, around prongs, and inside chain links. Use a wooden toothpick to gently dislodge stubborn compacted paste from tiny crevices without scratching the metal.
- • Brush bristles flexing gently against metal surfaces without flattening.
- • Underside of gemstone facets visible and clear of dark residue.
- • Scrubbing vigorously with stiff bristles, which scratches soft precious metals like 18k gold or silver.
Rinse in Strainer
Place the jewelry into the fine-mesh metal strainer. Hold the strainer under a low-pressure stream of lukewarm tap water to rinse away all remaining soap residue and loosened dirt.
- • Jewelry held securely inside strainer under a gentle water stream with no remaining soap foam.
- • Holding small rings directly in slippery, soapy hands under running water.
Dry and Final Buff
Pat the jewelry completely dry using a lint-free microfiber cloth. For silver or gold, use a dedicated jewelry polishing cloth with gentle back-and-forth strokes to restore high-luster shine.
- • No water droplets or fogging visible on metal surfaces or gemstone facets.
- • High reflective mirror finish across metal surfaces.
- • Using paper towels or facial tissue, which contain wood fibers that cause micro-scratches.
Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by Real Simple — watch the original on YouTube.
Don’t have everything?
- No Fine-mesh metal strainer? Small plastic colander or a tight bowl cover
- No Soft-bristled baby toothbrush? Soft makeup brush or watercolor paintbrush