Jewellery Care & Cleaning Guide

Taking care of your jewellery keeps it looking beautiful for years to come. This guide shows you how to clean silver, gold, and gemstone jewellery at home, plus tips for chains, rings, and earrings.

Everyday Jewellery Care Tips

Our jewellery is designed to be worn and loved, whether that’s on outdoor adventures or day to day. With precious metals like sterling silver and gold, your pieces may naturally tarnish or dull over time. With a little care, you can keep them looking beautiful for years to come.

  • Avoid direct contact with perfumes, lotions, and hairsprays.

  • Remove jewellery before swimming, sports, or sleeping.

  • Store in a dry place, ideally in a soft pouch or jewellery box.

  • Avoid solvents, bleaches, and household cleaning products.

  • Try not to run charms along chains, as this can wear the silver.

Some skin types may naturally darken silver. This isn’t harmful, it just means your piece may need polishing more often.

How To Clean Your Jewellery At Home
How to Clean Silver Jewellery

Silver naturally tarnishes when exposed to air and moisture, but it’s easy to bring back its shine:

  • Mild soap & water: Mix a few drops of washing-up liquid (Fairy is perfect) in warm water. Soak for 15–20 minutes.
  • Soft brush: Use a clean, soft toothbrush to gently clean into the nooks.
  • Rinse & dry: Rinse in clean water, then dry thoroughly and buff with a soft cloth.
  • Polishing cloth: For heavy tarnish, use a specialist silver polishing cloth.

Avoid baking soda, vinegar, or toothpaste, while often recommended online, they can scratch handmade jewellery.
How to Clean Gold Jewellery

Gold doesn’t tarnish, but it can lose its shine with oils and everyday wear.

  • Soak in warm soapy water.
  • Gently clean with a soft cloth or brush.
  • Buff dry to restore the shine.
  • Avoid chlorine and bleach, as they can damage gold.
How to Clean Gemstone Jewellery

Different stones need different care:

  • Hard stones (sapphire, ruby, diamond): Safe to soak in warm soapy water and clean with a soft brush.
  • Soft/porous stones (emerald, opal, turquoise, moonstone): Avoid soaking. Instead, gently wipe with a damp cloth.
  • General rule: Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on delicate or handmade gemstone jewellery.
How to Clean Necklace Chains

Chains can trap dirt and oils more quickly than other pieces:

  • Soak in warm soapy water.
  • Gently brush between links with a soft brush.
  • Rinse thoroughly and dry before storing.
How to Clean Rings

Rings pick up residue from daily wear:

  • For plain silver or gold rings: clean as above with soapy water and a soft cloth.
  • For gemstone rings: follow gemstone-specific care.
  • Always clean rings over a soft surface, not an open sink!
How to Clean Earrings

Because earrings sit close to skin, they should be cleaned regularly. To keep them at their best, remove before swimming, sleeping, or applying products like hairspray or perfume.:

  • Wipe posts and backs with warm soapy water.
  • Gently scrub around the setting and posts with a soft toothbrush
  • For gemstone or decorative earrings, use a damp cloth.
  • Always dry thoroughly before wearing.
A Note on Fragility

Sterling silver is strong but not indestructible. Repeated bending will weaken it and may cause breakage, so try to keep adjustments to a minimum.
Need Extra Help?

If your jewellery needs more TLC, you can return it to our studio for professional cleaning and restoration. We’ll bring it back to its original shine and send it home to you ready to wear again.

For any questions, email us at hi@ebbandfloliving.co.uk, we’re always happy to help.

Jewellery Care FAQs

Does fairy liquid clean silver jewellery?

Yes. A few drops of washing-up liquid in warm water is a safe way to clean lightly tarnished silver. Soak, then gently polish with a soft cloth.

Is baking soda safe for cleaning jewellery?

Baking soda can work, but it’s abrasive and not recommended for handmade or gemstone jewellery. A mild soap solution or a polishing cloth is safer.

Can you wear jewellery while swimming or showering?

It’s best to avoid it. Chlorine, saltwater, and soaps can damage metals and gemstones, and water exposure can speed up tarnish on silver.

How do you clean heavily tarnished silver?

For heavy tarnish, use a silver polishing cloth or specialist silver cleaner. Avoid abrasive methods like baking soda or toothpaste on handmade jewellery, as they can scratch.

What’s the best way to clean gold jewellery at home?

Soak in warm soapy water, gently clean with a soft cloth or brush, and buff dry. Avoid chlorine and bleach, as they can damage gold.

How do you care for gemstone jewellery?

Hard stones like diamonds and sapphires can handle gentle soapy water, but softer stones such as opals, emeralds, and turquoise should only be wiped with a damp cloth.
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