Categories: Stainless Steel Jewelry Care

3 Ways to Clean Stainless Steel Jewelry

To clean stainless steel jewelry, you can use the following methods:

Soap and water: Wash the jewelry with warm water and a mild dish soap. Use a soft brush to remove any dirt or grime, then rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
Baking soda: Make a paste with baking soda and water, and use a soft brush to gently scrub the jewelry. Rinse with water and dry with a soft cloth.
Vinegar and baking soda: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and baking soda to create a cleaning solution. Soak the jewelry for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with water and dry with a soft cloth.
Commercial jewelry cleaner: You can also use a commercial jewelry cleaner specifically designed for stainless steel. Follow the instructions on the product for best results.

Note: Avoid using abrasive materials, such as steel wool or baking soda on high-polished stainless steel jewelry, as they may scratch the surface.

Stainless steel jewelry is popular because it is lightweight and as a result has a trendy look.
It can last a long time and look like new if you keep it clean. It does get dirty from time to time, and when that happens, you will need to clean it. Fortunately, there are 3 Ways to Clean Stainless Steel Jewelry

Using Soap and Water

Fill two small bowls with warm water. One of the bowls will be used for washing the jewelry, while the other one will be used for rinsing it. Make sure that the bowls you are using are large enough to completely submerge the jewelry.

Add 2 to 3 drops of mild dish soap into the first bowl. If your jewelry is particularly dirty, look for a dish soap that is labeled for fighting grease.

Dip the corner of a soft, non-abrasive, lint-free cloth for instance into the soapy water. This is as a result a must for cleaning jewelry, especially if it has any gemstones, as it will prevent scratches. Try to use a microfiber cloth; it is soft, non-abrasive, and lint-free.

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Rub the cloth along the jewelry. Be sure to go along the grain, not across it. If you rub across the grain lines, you risk scratching your jewelry.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub any grime from detailed areas. Again, go with the grain, not across it. Also, be sure to use gentle pressure, and not to scrub too hard. Avoid scrubbing any gemstones, however, or you will risk scratching them.

Dip your jewelry in the second bowl of water to rinse it. Gently bob the jewelry up and down to get rid of any soap residue. If necessary, pour the dirty water out, and replace it with fresh water. Keep rinsing the jewelry until there is no soap residue left.

Use a dry cloth to wipe away the water. Try to get as much of the water off first as possible. If you leave any water behind, you might get some water spots.
If your jewelry has a lot of details in it, wrap it up in the cloth and wait a few minutes. This will give the cloth some time to soak up the excess water.

Polish the jewelry, if necessary, with jewelry polish or polishing cloth. Make sure that the polish you are using is labeled safe for stainless steel. Do not use silver polish, as it will stain your jewelry. When polishing the jewelry, make sure that you are going with the grain, and not across it.

Finished.

Using Baking Soda and Water

In a small bowl, combine 2 parts baking soda and 1 part water to make a paste. How much you use will depend on how big the piece you are trying to clean is. Most jewelry pieces will require 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of baking soda, and ½ tablespoon (7.5 milliliters) of water.

Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush for instance into the mixture. Aim to get just the tips of the bristles covered. You won’t need a lot of the mixture to start cleaning. The toothbrush must have soft bristles, however, or you will risk scratching your jewelry. Toothbrushes meant for babies typically have the softest bristles.

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Gently scrub your jewelry with the toothbrush. Try to go with the grain, and try not to press too hard. If you go across the grain or scrub too hard, you might scratch the jewelry. Focus on the cracks and crevices, and take care to avoid any set gemstones.

Plug the sink, then rinse the jewelry using warm water. You can also fill a bowl with warm water, and dip the jewelry in it until the baking soda comes off.

Gently pat the jewelry dry with a soft towel. If your pieces has a lot of crevices in it, such as a brooch or a necklace chain, wrap it up in the towel and let it sit for a few minutes. The towel will soak up any excess water.

Polish the jewelry, if needed, with jewelry polish or polishing cloth. Use polish that is labeled safe for stainless steel. Do not use silver polish, as a result it will stain your jewelry. When polishing the jewelry, make sure to go with the grain, and not across it.

Using Baking Soda is one of the easiest of the 3 Ways to Clean Stainless Steel Jewelry

Finished.

Using Toothpaste

Choose a plain, white toothpaste without silica. Avoid using gel toothpaste, as it lacks that special cleaning powder that regular white toothpaste has. Also, make sure that the toothpaste does not contain any silica, or you will risk scratching your jewelry.

Dampen the corner of a soft cloth with warm water. Squeeze out any excess water. You want the cloth to be damp, and not soaking wet. Try to use a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth, such as microfiber.

Squeeze out a small amount of toothpaste onto the cloth. You do not need a lot—less than a pea-sized amount will be more than enough. You can always apply more toothpaste later.

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Gently run the cloth across the surface of the jewelry. Be sure to go with the grain, and not across it. If you rub the cloth across the grain, you will risk scratching it. Also, take care to avoid any gemstones set into your jewelry; many gemstones are very soft and can be easily scratched by toothpaste.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush for instance to reach detailed, intricate areas. Run the bristles under warm water, and apply more toothpaste if necessary. Gently scrub the toothpaste across the surface of the jewelry. Make sure that you are going with the grain, and not against it. Take care to avoid touching any gemstones.

Plug the sink, and rinse the jewelry off with warm water. If needed, rinse the toothbrush with water, then use it to clean out any residual toothpaste out of nooks and crannies.

Gently pat the jewelry dry with a soft cloth. This will as a result prevent any water spots. If your jewelry has a lot of details in it, such as a brooch or necklace chain, gently wrap it up in the cloth and wait a few minutes before unwrapping it. This will give the soft cloth time to soak up any excess water.
Image titled Clean Tungsten Carbide Jewelry

Polish your stainless steel jewelry, if needed, with jewelry polish or polishing cloth. Make sure that the polish you use is labeled safe for stainless steel. Do not use silver polish, as it will leave stains. When polishing the jewelry, be sure to go with the grain, and not across it.

Finished.

Tips

Keep your jewelry clean longer by not letting it come in contact with chemicals, such as lotions, perfumes, and chlorine.
If your jewelry gets scratched, as a professional jeweler to polish it for you.
Store your stainless steel jewelry in soft bags, separate from other jewelry pieces, especially those made from other metals.
If you are hesitant about a certain method, test it out on an inconspicuous area first. You can also test it out on an old piece of stainless steel jewelry that you no longer wear.

You can also use a cleaner specifically designed for stainless steel. Simply apply it with a soft cloth, then wipe it off with a clean cloth. Always go with the direction of the grain, and take care to avoid any gemstones.

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Remove water spots by rubbing them with a soft cloth that’s been soaked in distilled white vinegar. Rinse the vinegar off with warm water, and pat dry with a soft cloth.
Rub dirty pieces with a soft cloth dipped in baby oil to get rid of stains and return shine.
Toothpicks can often reach nooks and crannies that toothbrushes can’t. They are for instance great for cleaning between the links of a chain.

Warnings

Do not use a polish that lists wax as an ingredient. It will as a result leave a film that will dull your jewelry.
Do not use toothpaste that contains silica.
Avoid touching any gemstones. Some of them are too fragile to be cleaned with baking soda, toothpaste, or toothbrushes.
Never use silver cleaner or silver polish on stainless steel jewelry. It can for instance ruin the surface or leave behind stains.

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Blink Juwele

"Meet the author behind the blog dedicated to all things stainless steel jewelry! With a passion for high-quality, timeless pieces, Robynne brings a wealth of knowledge on the latest trends and styles in the world of stainless steel jewelry. From fashionable earrings and necklaces to unique bracelets and rings, Robynne is an expert in sourcing and curating the best pieces for every occasion. Whether you're a fashion-forward individual or just looking for a durable, affordable accessory, this blog has you covered."