How To Clean Stainless Steel Jewellery: The Ultimate Guide

Stainless steel jewellery offers great durability, and resistance to rust and tarnishing and has become a popular choice for many. However, like with all jewellery, it requires a level of care to maintain its shine and prevent damage.

In this blog, we answer the common question “how to clean stainless steel jewellery?”. We’ll cover what supplies you’ll need for each method as well as how to clean your jewellery using all of the materials required.

Soap & water

Supplies you’ll need:

• 2x bowls
• Mild dishwashing liquid
• Warm water
• Soft-bristled brush or toothbrush
• Microfiber cloth

1. Combine warm water with dishwashing liquid
Fill one of your bowls with warm water and add two to three drops of mild dishwashing soap. Then mix gently to form a soapy solution. Then fill another bowl with lukewarm water.

2. Dip your jewellery in the dishwashing liquid
Submerge your jewellery and let it soak in the warm soapy water mixture for 5 minutes. This gives the dishwashing liquid time to break down any dirt or oils. You can use a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush to scrub gently to get a more thorough clean.

3. Rinse in water then dry
Once you have cleaned your jewellery, dip it in the second bowl with lukewarm water to wash away any dirt, oil and leftover soap. Then using a soft microfiber cloth, dry the jewellery.

 

Toothpaste & water

Supplies you’ll need

• 2x bowls
• Toothpaste
• Warm water
• Soft-bristled brush or toothbrush
• Microfiber cloth

1. Apply toothpaste to a soft-bristled brush
Be sure to dampen the brush first, before applying the toothpaste onto the brush to make it easier to spread. Alternatively, you can just apply the toothpaste on a soft cloth with a bit of water. Then gently clean the surface of the stainless steel jewellery.

2. Rinse, dry and buff
After cleaning, either wash off the toothpaste and dirt in a bowl of lukewarm water or under running water. Then dry the jewellery off with a microfiber cloth.

 

Baking soda & water

Supplies you’ll need:

• 2x bowls
• Baking soda
• Warm water
• Soft-bristled brush or toothbrush
• Microfiber cloth

1. Mix baking soda with warm water in a bowl
In the bowl, mix baking soda with warm water in a 2:1 ratio to make a thick paste.

2. Scrub gently
Then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to apply the past to the stainless steel jewellery. Scrub gently to make sure that you clean every nook and cranny.

3. Rinse and dry off
Once cleaning is finished, submerge your jewellery in a bowl of lukewarm water to wash off any residual dirt or oils as well as leftover soaps. Then use a microfiber cloth to dry the jewellery carefully.

 

Ultrasonic cleaners

An ultrasonic cleaner is straightforward when it comes to using it. Just place your jewellery in the cleaner and turn it on. This is a great cleaning tool for intricate stainless steel jewellery.

You should avoid using the ultrasonic cleaner if your stainless steel is gold-plated and features embellishments or gemstones. This is because the ultrasonic waves can damage these parts of the jewellery.

 

Polishing stainless steel

If your stainless steel jewellery is still looking dull, it may be that your jewellery needs a polish. Polishing stainless steel jewellery is simple, just use a soft cloth or jewellery polishing cloth designed for stainless steel. Then gently rub the jewellery surface in a circular motion to restore its shine. Keep in mind that when cleaning, you’ll want to avoid using any abrasive cleaners or materials to clean the surface of your jewellery.

Conclusion

After reading this blog post, you should now be more aware of how to clean stainless steel jewellery. Maintaining the shine and integrity of your stainless steel jewellery is simple when you use the right cleaning procedures.

Some of the methods include various materials that you can find in the household including toothpaste, water and baking soda. Other methods require more specialist equipment like ultrasonic cleaners.

The key to preserving the lustre of your stainless steel jewellery is regular care, proper cleaning and appropriate storage.

Looking for more information around stainless steel jewellery? Read our blog which answer the question "what is stainless steel jewellery?"

 

FAQ’s about cleaning stainless steel jewellery Does stainless steel jewellery tarnish? No, Stainless steel jewellery is highly resistant to tarnishing due to its unique composition, which includes chromium. This chromium reacts with oxygen to form a protective chromium oxide layer over the metal, that shields the deeper layers of metal from oxygen and moisture which causes tarnishing. How often should I clean my stainless steel jewellery? For stainless steel jewellery, you should only need to clean it every few months. Stainless steel is a low-maintenance material, which makes it perfect for everyday wear jewellery. How long should I leave my jewellery in an ultrasonic cleaner? The time you leave it in the ultrasonic cleaner depends on how dirty the jewellery is. This can vary between 1-20 minutes. As per your instruction manual, you should ensure that your ultrasonic cleaner has been degassed to clear any air bubbles before you clean your jewellery.