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Creams, soaps and everyday grime are just a fraction of the influences that can soil your jewelry and make it dull. If you want your jewelry to be like new again, you need to know the tips of Caroline Forte, head of the Institute of Good Household Care, whose advice will help you clean your jewelry collection and restore their lost beauty without damaging them.
How to make silver perfect?
To clean and prevent tarnishing of your silver jewelry, you can use these two simple, inexpensive and safe methods.
- For jewelry that is tarnished or even begins to change color, simply mix a few drops of mild soap with warm water. Then dip a cloth in the prepared mixture. With the damp cloth, rub your jewelry back to its original appearance. Then rinse with cold water and thoroughly polish with a dry cloth.
- If your jewelry is very dirty, mix baking soda with water in a 3:1 ratio. Wipe the dirty jewelry with a soft cloth and apply this mixture to the jewelry. Take care that the mixture is worked into all areas. When you think the mixture has reached everywhere, wash the jewelry and dry them thoroughly. Avoid excessive rubbing, because they can simply wear out.
How to care for gold jewelry?
Create an herbal bath. Pour a few drops of mild soap into a small bowl of non-carbonated water (carbonation releases and removes all dirt). Then place the jewelry into a small sieve which you put into the bowl for five minutes. After that remove each piece and clean it separately, for example using a toothbrush with soft bristles to get into all the creases. Then place each piece back into the sieve and rinse it under running water. Be sure to dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
How to care for pearls?
Because pearls are porous, they easily lose their luster. Whether real or artificial, you should always clean them very carefully. First place the pearls on a soft cloth. Then dip a clean brush into a mixture of warm water and shampoo. Gently clean each pearl. Finally rinse the pearls with clean water and wipe with a soft cloth. Then let the pearl dry. This non-soaking method is also suitable for turquoise jewelry and other porous stones.
How to care for costume jewelry?
With jewelry, especially if the stones are glued rather than set, you must act very carefully. Use a cloth soaked in a mixture of detergent and water to gently wipe away any stains or dirt from worn jewelry. Then “rinse” with a cloth dipped in clean water. Dry thoroughly and place the jewelry face down so that moisture does not get trapped in the glued joints. Because the stones are often glued together and not set, never clean such jewelry in water, as the glue can simply loosen and the stones may fall out.
How to keep your jewelry beautiful for a long time?
Always remove rings when you wash your hands or apply moisturizer. After taking off pearls, wipe them with a soft cloth. As for silver, it maintains its shine by the way you wear it through friction, so don’t forget to wear it.
