Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary.
Part 1. Collect the jewelry that needs to be cleaned. Generally, the rule of thumb is the more you wear it, the more frequently you need to clean it. Clean it about once every few months or when it starts to look dull. Remember that fake jewelry is not genuine gold or sterling silver and does not have precious gemstones.
Even though sterling silver does tarnish, it should not be cleaned the way you would clean fake jewelry or costume jewelry. If you are having trouble deciding what is classified as fake jewelry and what is real, keep in mind that plated jewelry is considered "authentic. So, you can use regular jewelry cleaner to clean gold- and silver-plated jewelry instead of the methods provided.
Inspect the jewelry. Notice if it has any gemstones on it. If it does, then you need to be careful how much liquid you apply around that area. The liquid might get underneath the gemstones and loosen the glue under the gemstones, which might make them fall off later.
Also, too much water could ruin the foil backing that makes fake gemstones appear sparkly. Try using a Q-tip or toothbrush to clean the jewelry. These common products most people have in their homes work well to get at tough-to-clean crevices or around gemstones. You could also try a magic eraser. Your Q-Tip should start to show signs of dirt and grime removal.
The end of it should start to get dirty. Make sure the toothbrush is new, and that it hasn't been used before. You don't want to transfer material on an old toothbrush onto the jewelry.
Obviously, don't use the toothbrush again after you use it to clean jewelry. Verdigris is the green gunk that builds up on some costume jewelry. Part 2. Try using lemon on the fake jewelry.
Lemon has been used for a long time to rid jewelry of the oxide layer that forms on metals with the passage of time. You might want to add a little baking soda to the lemon. Lemon is a natural acid and rubbing a half cut lemon on jewelry can hasten the process of cleaning.
You can put the silver jewelry in a cup of lemonade with some salt for a night. Lemon works especially well on silver. Try using a white vinegar and water solution. Soak the jewelry in the solution, and then use soft toothbrush to get into corners and holes.
The soft bristle toothbrush can help if the jewelry contains gems by getting in cracks. You can simply apply the vinegar to a sponge, and use it to clean the jewelry.
Another natural product that can be used to clean jewelry is olive oil. Olive oil will make it shine, but make sure to wash it off. You could also use a dental tablet and dissolve it in water. Then, let the jewelry soak for a bit and scrub gently with a toothbrush. Try using hand soap and warm water. This not only increases the chances of making the jewelry look pretty, but it also makes it smell good. Put as little water on the jewelry as possible, though, and limit your jewelry's exposure to the water.
Water can tarnish and rust costume jewelry if it sits for too long. Use a washcloth to gently clean the jewelry. This approach can work well on gold jewelry with gemstones. Or, pour hot water into a bowl.
Place salt, soda, and dish-washing liquid into a bowl. Place the jewelry on top of foil, and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse the jewelry in cool water, and dry the jewelry completely with soft cloth.
If rust does develop on necklaces , bracelets, rings, or other pieces of costume jewelry, you'll need to take additional steps to remove it as soon as possible to limit the damage. Use baby shampoo to clean the jewelry. Baby shampoo is a milder shampoo, so it can be a good cleaning agent for fake jewelry. Shampoo can be a good approach to cleaning pearls, especially. Use a soft toothbrush or Q-Tip to clean hard-to-reach spots.
Mix it until it is about the consistency of a thick soup. If the mixture is too thick, add a few additional drops of water. Use lens cleaner or toothpaste. There are many different cleaning products around the house that people often use to clean fake jewelry. Lens cleaner and toothpaste can be effective on some costume jewelry. But be very careful! Read the instructions and cautions labels.
Don't use lens cleaner on precious metals, and be aware that paint or finish may come off. Also, don't use if you have sensitive skin or on earrings. Rinse off quickly in cool water and dry with a clean, soft hand towel or microfiber cloth. Use a hairdryer on the cool setting to be sure each piece is totally dry. This will keep them from rusting.
Use a warmer setting and the piece may warp, or the glue holding any gemstones in place could melt. Because this type of jewelry is so fragile, using something harsh or with a lot of acid could ruin it rather than make it look like new again. To get of verdigris the fancy name for that green gunk that loves to invade costume jewelry I suggest using a toothpick, Q-Tip or dry, soft toothbrush to remove it.
These are good ways to get rid of that gross stuff without taking a chance on ruining the piece itself. Take off your jewelry at the end of each day and give each piece a quick wipe down once will do with a clean microfiber cloth.
Keep them in zippered plastic bags — one piece per bag — with all the air removed. I would also invest in a good, velvet-lined jewelry box with a lid. Clean My Space. Ask Melissa Cleaning. Last updated: April 12, Costume jewelry, so pretty and usually cheaper than the real thing.
So … why DOES costume jewelry change color? Can this be prevented? Now, there are simple things you can do to keep costume pieces looking better and for longer.
Can they be cleaned, then? You likely have everything you need in your bathroom already: Mix together one drop each of baby shampoo and water regular jewelry cleaners, usually meant for the real deal, are too harsh to use on costume pieces. Soak your costume jewelry in the mixture for at least 10 minutes. The acid in lemon juice will eat away the tarnish without damaging the finish. After ten minutes, remove your pieces from the lemon mixture and rinse them with clean water. If you still find traces of tarnish, place the pieces back in the mixture for a few more minutes.
Then buff-dry them with a clean piece of cloth. Start by lining a found pan or bowl with a sheet of aluminum foil and make sure the shiny side is facing up. Then put all your tarnished jewelry in the bowl and add a mixture of one cup of warm water, one tablespoon of salt, and one tablespoon of baking soda. As this mixture reacts with the foil, the tarnish on your jewelry is eaten away. Once you are satisfied with the results, rinse and buff dry your jewelry with a piece of cloth.
Smudge a small amount of regular toothpaste on your tarnished costume jewelry with your finger and brush the thin coating clean with an old toothbrush. The gritty texture of the toothpaste is known to remove even the toughest dirt. Then rinse the pieces with cool water and buff dry them with a piece of cloth. This mixture leaves costume jewelry looking glossy and clean.
You just need to add equal amounts of white vinegar and water in a bowl. Then soak an old toothbrush in the mixture and brush the tarnish off gently. Make sure the toothbrush reaches into all the corners and gaps to get rid of the dirt. Just pour 6 parts of warm water in a bowl and add o1 part of ammonia. Soak your tarnished jewelry in the solution for at least 10 minutes. Then use an old toothbrush to brush the jewelry gently. After brushing each piece, soak them again in the solution for an extra ten minutes and brush them for the second time.
Make another mixture of warm water and ammonia, and add several drops of mild dish soap. Soak your jewelry in the solution for ten minutes and then polish them with a lint-free piece of cloth. Then rinse the pieces with cool water and allow them to dry completely before storing them away.
Fill a glass with club soda and soak your tarnished custom jewelry in it. Let them soak in the soda overnight for a bright sheen. This cleaning method is perfect for pieces made with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. Beer has been found to be able to remove tarnish from solid gold.
However, do not use it on any jewel with gemstones. Just pour a small amount of beer onto a soft piece of cloth and rub it gently over the jewelry.
Then dry the pieces with a clean piece of cloth. This method gives solid gold back its perfect shine. No matter the quality of your jewelry, these tips will help you to store your pieces properly so that they do not get tarnished.
0コメント