Cleaning necklaces - the best home remedies
Why you should clean your necklace regularly
We are all familiar with the annoying black discoloration on silver chains. They occur when silver reacts with the hydrogen sulphide in the air. Gold chains are almost never made of 100 percent gold, as gold in its pure form is very soft, which would encourage scratches and deformation. For this reason, gold is mixed with other, more stable precious metals - 14k gold has a 58.5 percent gold content and 18k gold has a 75 percent gold content. However, the added metals can react chemically with substances in the air, causing the chain to tarnish and appear dirty. In addition, deposits from sweat, body lotion and dust can dull both genuine and costume jewelry. The good news is that discoloration and dirt can be removed as quickly as they appear. We'll show you how!The most important facts at a glance
Making gold chains shine again
All you need is a little washing-up liquid or baking soda.
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Cleaning gold-plated chain
The sensitive gold coating can be removed with a glasses cloth and a little water.
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Proper care for gemstone and pearl necklaces
You probably have mild soap or washing-up liquid at home!
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Easy to clean silver chain
The sulfide magnet aluminum foil
Aluminum foil attracts the silver sulfide produced by hydrogen sulfide on your chain like a magnet. After just a few minutes, your silver chain will look like new!
You will also need: salt, a small bowl, hot water, a soft cloth
You will also need: salt, a small bowl, hot water, a soft cloth
Step 1: Line the bowl
First, attach a suitably sized piece of aluminum foil to the edge of the bowl.
Step 2: Mix the water and salt
Now add hot water and mix in a teaspoon of salt until it has dissolved.
Step 3: Have silver jewelry drawn
Place your necklace in the bowl and leave it to soak for a few minutes.
Step 4: Polishing the chain
Now just dry and polish the silver chain with a soft cloth, for example a microfiber cloth. Done!
Our tip:
For the sake of the environment, you can keep the aluminum foil and reuse it the next time you clean your jewelry.Toothpaste not only cleans teeth...
... but can also remove discoloration from your silver. To go with the toothpaste, you will need a toothbrush with soft bristles (hard bristles could scratch the silver) and a soft cloth.
- Apply some toothpaste to the brush and scrub carefully over the necklace and any pendants.
- Leave the paste on for a short time and then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- Now it's time to dry and polish!
Making gold chains shine again
Success with washing-up liquid
Probably the easiest cleaning method involves a cleaning agent that everyone probably has at home. With washing-up liquid - or alternatively mild soap - you can easily remove deposits and light discoloration from your gold chain.Other tools: a small bowl, warm water, a soft toothbrush and a soft cloth
First, mix a few drops of washing-up liquid with warm water in the bowl. Then place the dirty necklace in the bowl and leave it to rest for a few minutes.
Now you can take the necklace out and scrub it gently with the brush. Then rinse off the soap residue under clear water and dry the necklace with the soft cloth. Et violà!
Miracle cure from the bag: baking powder
Baking soda has proven its worth when cleaning gold jewelry. This household remedy is guaranteed to give your necklaces a new shine. Keep scrolling!
Caution: Do not use this method on necklaces with enamel, gemstones or pearls!
Caution: Do not use this method on necklaces with enamel, gemstones or pearls!
Step 1: Make the paste
In a small bowl, mix approx. two tablespoons of baking soda with enough warm water to form a solid paste. For less soiled pieces, you can also add a little more water and leave the gold chain in the water bath for a few minutes.
Step 2: Rub in the gold chain
Now carefully rub the paste into the gold chain with the toothbrush. You will see how your jewelry starts to shine again!
Step 3: Rinse the necklace
Then rinse the baking soda under lukewarm water and dry the chain with a soft cloth.
Step 4: Dry and polish the necklace
Finally, all you have to do is dry the necklace. Done!
Cleaning gold-plated chain
Costume jewelry is often only coated with a thin layer of gold, which, unlike real jewelry, is sensitive to scratches and discoloration. For this reason, you should handle gold-plated chains with even more care. We'll tell you what to look out for not only when cleaning, but also when handling fashion necklaces to prolong the life of your jewelry.At Pukka, we attach great importance to sustainability. For this reason, we manufacture our Pret collection jewelry from high-quality 925 sterling silver, which is then vermeil gold-plated with 18k gold. The gold layer is three micrometers thick, which makes the jewelry less sensitive and therefore much more durable.
See for yourself!
Proper storage and care
As (air) moisture can damage the gold plating of your chain, you should take it off before showering or exercising. You should also make sure that they are always stored in a dry and dark place; storing them in the bathroom, for example, would be suboptimal. A jewelry box is ideal, as necklaces can often be stored separately and won't scratch each other.Also avoid contact between your necklace and perfume, body lotion and other chemicals, as these will also attack the coating of the necklace.
Cleaning with spectacle cloth
For more stubborn dirt, you can also dampen the cloth, but make sure you dry the necklace again at the end.
Tip:
If you notice that the gold plating is coming off in some places on your chain, it is best to go to a local jeweler or goldsmith. They often offer a re-gilding service.Proper care for gemstone and pearl necklaces
Jewelry adorned with pearls or gemstones looks particularly high-quality - but even here, deposits can form over time. In the case of diamonds in particular, this means that incident light reflects less well and robs the special stone of its sparkle. However, cleaning these special natural materials is very simple; you can find out how to do this below.Step 1: Mix a few drops of mild washing-up liquid or soap with warm water (not hot!) in a bowl.
Step 2: Place the diamond or pearl necklace in the soapy water. You can leave the diamonds in a little longer, the pearls should be taken out after a short time, rinsed and left to air dry.
Step 3: If you discover any dirt on the setting of the diamond, you can carefully remove it with a soft brush. Make sure you only treat the underside of the stone, as the brush can scratch the top of the diamond.
Step 4: All you have to do now is rinse and dry the necklace.
To see in this article
Conclusion
You often don't need to visit a jeweler to make your necklace shine. Little helpers such as baking soda, toothpaste and the like often work wonders.If you would still prefer to have your jewelry professionally cleaned, you are welcome to visit us in one of our stores in Berlin. We are located at Torstraße 159 and on the first floor of Bikini Berlin and will clean your necklace using an ultrasonic cleaning device. We will also be happy to advise you on all kinds of jewelry questions. We look forward to seeing you!
