When you wear costume jewelry, it’s essential to keep it clean. Keeping it clean can help extend its lifespan and make it look good for longer.
Often, fake jewelry tarnishes quickly, but there are ways to remove stains without damaging the piece if you don’t have vinegar; mix lemon juice and water to soak your jewelry.
1. Vinegar
If you have a piece of costume jewelry that has begun to look tarnished and smell funny, white vinegar is one of the best options for cleaning it. Mix a quarter cup of the stuff with water, soak it for 20 minutes, then brush off the residue and rinse well.
Vinegar is made from a two-step fermentation process that transforms the natural yeasts and sugars of unpasteurized fruit juice and other produce into alcohol. The resulting liquid then goes through a second fermentation to turn the alcohol into acetic acid.
There are wide varieties of vinegar, including apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, distilled white vinegar, rice vinegar, sherry vinegar, malt vinegar, and more. Each type of vinegar has its flavor profile, influenced by the juice or liquid it’s made from and other ingredients used during the production process.
2. Lemon Juice
Using lemon juice to clean fake jewelry is an easy way to remove grime and dirt. Mix lemon juice with water and soak your jewelry for a few minutes.
Alternatively, you can use baking soda with your jewelry to clean it well. This method is also great for removing tarnishes.
It is essential to clean your jewelry regularly so it does not become covered in chemicals, such as perfumes, hair sprays, and body oils, which can damage your precious items. Taking the time to wipe your jewelry down daily is a small investment that will pay off in the long run.
3. Dish Soap
One of the easiest and most effective ways to clean fake jewelry is to use dish soap. It is an all-purpose cleaner that works well on many regular surfaces.
To clean your fake jewelry, mix a small amount of dish soap with water in a bowl and soak your piece for five minutes to soften the grime. Then, gently wipe it with a soft cloth and rinse.
This method can also be used to remove oxidation from the metal. You can also try mixing lemon juice with baking soda and using it to clean your jewelry.
4. Ammonia
One of the easiest and most effective ways to clean fake jewelry is by using ammonia. This can be a great way to make your jewelry sparkle without harming the gems inside it.
Mix a solution of ammonia and water and place your jewelry in the solution for 15 minutes. After this time, use a soft toothbrush to brush away the grime.
Don’t brush too harshly; it may loosen the diamond or scratch certain metals.
It’s also important to note that ammonia is highly toxic, so it should never be used around children. It can cause a high level of ammonia in the blood, which could lead to brain damage or death.
5. Baking Soda
If you have fake jewelry that’s tarnished, you can use baking soda to clean it. The salty-tasting powder can help remove tarnish and oxidation without damaging your jewelry.
Baking soda is a common household ingredient for baked goods like cookies. It also helps eliminate odors and clean laundry.
When combined with hydrogen peroxide, baking soda can clean fake jewelry and remove tarnishes. However, be careful when using it to clean gold or other gemstones. This cleaner is slightly abrasive and could scratch softer stones or metals.