Chains, rings, bracelets, earrings: accessories should round off the outfit and provide extra eye-catchers. However, if the jewelry has tarnished, is black or green, this plan does not work. Time to get active. Because with simple steps and usual household means, the old shine can be restored in no time.
Clean gold jewelry with detergent
The gold has lost its radiance, is it dull and unsightly? The solution is a commercial detergent. Simply rub a few drops of it on your jewelry with your fingers and rinse with lukewarm water. If this is not enough, a soft toothbrush helps to remove stubborn deposits. Then dry the jewelry with a cotton cloth and polish with a suitable polishing cloth or some deerskin.
Warning: Never tackle the dirt with toothpaste or other cleaning solutions other than detergent. The abrasive particles often contained therein can lead to unsightly scratches on the surface.
Place silver jewelry in a sodium bicarbonate bath
There are several ways to give silver jewelry an old shine. In the case of slight discoloration, it is usually sufficient to polish the piece of jewelry with a silver cleaning cloth. Otherwise you can put it on a piece of aluminum foil in a glass bowl and sprinkle with four teaspoons of salt and soda. Then pour boiled water over it, let it rest for five minutes and then remove it, rinse with clear water and dry.
Treat costume jewelry with baking soda
Cleaning jewelry can be tricky. Since it is not always clear what materials it is made of, it is advisable to first only clean a small part of it in order to avoid potential damage. Discoloration, usually green or black, can be treated with a packet of baking soda and lukewarm water. Add the jewelry to the mixture and leave it there for several hours. Then rinse with clear water and dry.
Attention: jewelery and gemstones as well as pearls should best not come into contact with cleaning or household means. These are only cleaned with water and, if necessary, a soft toothpaste. Anyone who has a lot of jewelry to clean, whether made of gold, silver or other materials, is also well advised to use an ultrasonic cleaning device.