How to Clean Earrings

By simply wearing your earrings, you expose them to body oils, haircare products, cosmetics and moisturizers.

Regardless of whether you wear the earrings often or not, they are also exposed to dust, air pollution and more. These various things coat the exterior of the earrings, giving them a dull and dirty look. They can also cover the earring posts and potentially lead to a health issue.

Cleaning your earrings is essential, but using the wrong cleaning products or techniques can ruin them. How should you clean earrings?

How Often Should Earrings Be Cleaned?

While you might be inclined to think that earrings should be cleaned after each use, this isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, cleaning them once per month is normally sufficient. Unless a pair of earrings is especially dirty, you can clean all of your pairs at one time as part of your regular cleaning routine.

DIY Jewelry Cleaner

You can buy expensive jewelry cleaners to remove the grime on your earrings, but this is not necessary. In fact, the simplest way to clean your earrings is with mild dish soap and warm water.

Simply combine a quart of warm water with two tablespoons of liquid dish soap. Place your earrings in a bowl with the soapy water, and let them sit undisturbed for up to 20 minutes. By soaking the earrings, the stubborn grime will be easier to clean off.

Then, use a soft-bristle brush to wipe down each earring. You can then rinse your earrings with clean water and dry them with a cloth. To avoid losing an earring, consider using a fine-mesh strainer. Otherwise, plug your sink drain.

How to Clean Earrings

Gemstone Earrings (Diamond & Pearl)

Some gemstones should be cleaned with additional care. For example, pearls can easily be damaged with abrasive and harsh chemical cleaning agents. Emeralds should never be cleaned in an ultrasonic device.

Whether you are cleaning fluorite, diamonds or other gemstones, wipe the earrings with a jewelry polishing cloth. If this does not get all of the grime off, dip a small portion of the cloth in the soapy water. Then, rub the earrings lightly again. Dry your earrings thoroughly before storing them.

Metal Earrings (Gold & Silver)

While some metals are strong and durable, precious metals are somewhat soft in comparison. Soft metals, like silver, gold and platinum, should be wiped down after each use. Use a polishing cloth for silver jewelry or a microfiber cloth for other precious metals. Wipe the posts with long strokes. Avoid rubbing the metal in a circular motion.

Generally, your body oils are helpful cleaning agents for precious metals. However, if you need more cleaning power, moisten your cloth with a small amount of liquid dish soap and water. Remember to rinse and dry the metal.

If the metal is tarnished, make a paste out of two tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Dab a soft brush in the paste, and gently clean the metal. Avoid applying the paste to gemstones. When rinsing the earrings, ensure that all of the residue is removed from the crevices.

Tips for Keeping Your Earrings Clean

• Don’t wear earrings in hot tubs or swimming pools.
• Store earrings in a jewelry box or vented cotton bag. Separate the earrings while they are being stored to prevent scratches.
• Don’t wear earrings when exercising or doing other activities that cause you to sweat.
• Only put your earrings on after you’ve done your hair and makeup.

FAQs

What Is the Best Way to Clean Earrings?

The best way to clean most types of earrings is with two tablespoons of liquid dish soap and a quart of warm water. Let the earrings soak in the solution for 10 or 20 minutes. You can then scrub the earrings gently with a soft brush before rinsing and drying them.

If you are cleaning emeralds and amethysts, do not let the earrings soak in the solution. To clean tiny crevices, use a fine brush or a toothpick.

Can I Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean Earrings?

Hydrogen peroxide can be used to sanitize your earrings. For a quick clean, moisten a cotton ball with hydrogen peroxide, and gently dab the earrings.

If your earrings need a deeper level of clean, soak them in hydrogen peroxide for up to 10 minutes. Rinse the earrings with water, and let them air dry. Before using this method, however, test a small area of the earring material to ensure that the hydrogen peroxide won’t cause damage.

In addition, do not use hydrogen peroxide on fine jewelry and gemstones.

Can You Soak Earrings in Rubbing Alcohol?

The earring cleaning instructions are the same for both hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol should not be used to clean earrings made out of plastic, resin and clay. To clean these materials, use liquid dish soap and water.

In addition to earrings, many other items that you use and touch regularly can be covered in germs and grime. Keeping your home and belongings clean is essential for the well-being of yourself and your loved ones. If you are struggling to keep up with all of your home’s cleaning needs, the TidyHere team can help. Schedule Boston cleaning service for your home today.