added this 17 years ago
Non-Aggressive Jewelry Cleaner
What you need:
1 soft cotton cloth
Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
water
What you do:
Dampen the cloth and add a small amount of baking soda (less than 1 tablespoon should do).
Place the article to be cleaned on the cloth and wrap the article in it. Rub gently, moving the article around in the cloth to remove the tarnish.
When the article is clean, rinse well in running water and dry.
Preparation Time:
Cooking Time:
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Recipe Category:
SO HOW'D IT GO?
I have been trying different cleaning methods for my jewelry but this one is definitely the best!
Thank you.
;)b
Melanie,
fabrication bijoux
Don't use baking soda on gold, you can scratch it! I work in the fine jewelry biz and the best thing for gold is some hot water and a drop ( just one or two) of a gentle liquid soap, which will cut the dirt. Soak the jewelry, the heat loosens the dirt and use a soft, old toothbrush to scrub out any dirt. Check your stones before you start to clean, and work over a bowl rather than a sink so if you loose a stone you can retrieve it! Even retailers like me clean our jewelry like this, and I use the same tech at the store.
I've noticed a lot of people say this works really well on silver and stainless steel, but what do you suggest for white and yellow gold? I have a few rings that I'd like to clean up, but I'm not sure if baking soda alone is gunna cut it. Any suggestions?
This looks interesting, I'll have to try this. I usually scrub my silver with Tom's of Maine baking soda toothpaste when I'm in a hurry. Also another great silver cleaner is ashes, I use wood ashes from the fireplace (my in-laws use cigarette ashes, since they smoke and have lots of that around) all you have to do is mix with a little water to form a thick paste and rub onto silver and let set for a few minutes, wipe clean and rinse with water. I have only used it on silver but have heard that it works on other metals like copper. I love the ash technique because it utilizes something that is normally just a waste product.
One thing that works well for non-plated jewelry and silver is a quick dip in simple white vinegar with a piece of aluminum foil on the bottom. If you try it with plated jewelry, however, it will disintegrate the plating. Yuck.
You can also try first rubbing on baking soda, then spritzing with vinegar and wiping it off. I find that very useful with jewelry and for sanitizing counters and removing stains on Formica.
Thanks for the smile, Ashley!! Good pic. You are so creative.
To those who found this ineffective, I will say that it isn't instantaneous. It doesn't take for ever, but it isn't "rub on wipe off".
I use this with a toothbrush on my jewelry and it works really well. But, that's not really my point. What I really want to say is, Ashley, that photo kicks ass!!! I love it!
Ashley, that is officially the best photo I've seen on this site so far. ;D
On-topic, I've used this technique before on the bathroom sink and it does work well. Thanks for the jewelry tip!
This works SOOO well on silver/stainless steal stuff. I now clean everything with it: counters, sinks, gross stuff. You don't even need water! Just sprinkle on some baking soda and rub it in.
You can use an old toothbrush to good effect.
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