We’ve all been there: you go to put on your favourite silver earrings only to realise they've lost it's sparkle or developed a dark patina in the tray on your dressing table. Over time, lotions, air fresheners and even our own natural oils can leave our jewellery looking a little dull. But before you rush out to buy expensive, chemical-heavy cleaners, I have a secret for you: the best tools for the job are probably already in your kitchen!
In this post, I’m breaking down three simple, eco-friendly, and incredibly effective ways to clean your jewellery at home using everyday items like dish soap, bicarb, and even an old toothbrush.
- The dish soap and toothbrush method.
Let’s start with the absolute easiest: you want a soft toothbrush (I’m using an eco toothbrush that my 4 year old has used for 3 months, it’s been sterilised!) and some eco dish soap (Don’t use the popular not eco brand beginning with F - I’ll explain my reasons later).
SUPER simple - pop a bit of dish soap on the tooth brush, run it under some warm tap water and gently brush. Get into all the crevices. Rinse under the warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
This is great for:
✅ Cleaning Sterling Silver and 9ct Gold
✅ Cleaning precious and semi precious stones like diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies.
DO NOT use on:
❌ Costume jewellery
❌ Anything where you’re not absolutely sure what it’s made of.
2. The Bicarbonate of soda method
Yes the stuff you make cakes with, and clean the sink with. You can clean jewellery with it too.
Line a bowl with aluminium foil. Place your silver jewellery on top of the foil, making sure each piece is in contact with the foil - it must be in contact otherwise the chemical reaction won’t work. Sprinkle with bicarbonate of soda. Make sure there is a dusting over each piece. Then pour freshly boiled water over the top. You’ll know the reaction has worked because it will smell like eggs. Let the water cool a little, just so your don’t burn your fingers, then remove your jewellery. Rinse under clean water and dry with a soft cloth.
This is great for:
✅ Cleaning Sterling Silver and 9ct Gold
✅ Cleaning precious and semi precious stones like diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies.
DO NOT use on:
❌ Costume jewellery
❌ Soft stones like Opal
❌ Plated jewellery
3. The dish soap and a jam jar method.
Have you ever removed your stuff earrings and found a load of disgusting gunk lurking in the scroll backs and the earring posts? Well this little trick will sort this right out.
Take a clean glass jar with a screw on lid. Place in the jar a drop of gentle dish soap, a generous pinch of salt and some recently boiled water (not to warm but not cold) - pop in your sterling silver jewellery and swirl - its not a shake, its a swirl. Pop the jar on the counter top and draw circles or figures of 8 with it. You’ll see the bits of gunk fall off into the water. Remove your jewellery and rinse under clean water, dry with a soft cloth.
This is great for:
✅ Cleaning Sterling Silver and 9ct Gold
DO NOT use on:
❌ Costume jewellery
❌ Anything with stones in
❌ Anything where you’re not absolutely sure what it’s made of.
