How to Make Your Jewelry Shine Again: A Simple Cleaning Method

You can safely refresh many types of jewelry at home with a few gentle supplies.

What you’ll need

A bowl of lukewarm water
A few drops of mild dish soap
A soft-bristled toothbrush or very soft brush
A microfiber or soft cotton cloth
A clean towel

Simple cleaning method

Prepare the solution: Mix lukewarm water with a few drops of mild dish soap.
Soak briefly: Place suitable jewelry in the solution for about 5–10 minutes.
Gently brush: Use a soft brush to loosen dirt, especially around settings and underneath stones. Don’t scrub aggressively.
Rinse: Rinse thoroughly with clean water. For very small pieces, use a bowl rather than rinsing over an open drain.
Dry completely: Pat the jewelry dry with a soft cloth, then allow it to air-dry fully.
Polish: Gently buff the surface with a jewelry-polishing or microfiber cloth to restore its shine.

Important precautions

Not all jewelry should be soaked. Pearls, opals, turquoise, emeralds, and some porous or treated gemstones can be damaged by water, chemicals, or prolonged exposure. Gold- or silver-plated pieces can also lose their finish with aggressive cleaning.

For valuable, antique, heavily tarnished, or delicate jewelry, check the manufacturer’s care instructions or have it professionally cleaned.

Avoid household bleach, abrasive toothpaste, harsh chemicals, and rough brushes—they can scratch metal or damage stones.