How I Clean Jewellery - DIY Home Guide

Updated 25 August 2026 to reflect our current jewellery-cleaning recommendations.

Have you opened your jewellery box and realised your favourite piece is not as sparkling as it once was? Everyone’s jewellery needs a good clean periodically. When you examine your collection, you’ll notice your prized jewellery may be tarnished, scratched, or marked up. The good news is that you don’t have to be a professional to give suitable jewellery a quick clean at home.

Exposure to dust, dirt, moisture and air, along with chemicals from lotions, creams and soaps and the effects of sweat, can rob your jewellery of its shine and sparkle. We’re here to guide you through cleaning suitable jewellery at home using mild dishwashing liquid and lukewarm water to help restore its bright finish. So, your jewellery needs some attention—where do you start?

Before you begin, it is worth knowing which common cleaning methods to avoid. Our guide to 5 Jewellery Care Myths Social Media Keeps Getting Wrong explains why toothpaste, boiling water, vinegar, lemon juice, home ultrasonic cleaners and hand sanitiser may do more harm than good.

Cleaning Your Jewellery by Hand

This is the easiest and probably the most rewarding way to clean your jewellery. Here is my personal guide.

Prior to beginning the cleaning process, I like to sit for a few minutes and inspect the jewellery, as this gives me a chance to notice where dirt or grime might be hidden and examine any scratches or scuff marks on individual pieces. Now you know which pieces need some extra attention.

If you notice a loose stone, worn claw, damaged catch or anything else that concerns you, stop and have the jewellery assessed before cleaning it.

• After my inspection, I like to prepare before I actually begin the cleaning. I fill two bowls approximately three-quarters full with lukewarm water (not boiling or hot water), and I place one bowl to my left and the other to the right on my work surface, usually the kitchen table.
  

• I then add a small amount of mild dishwashing liquid to the bowl on my left and give it a stir; this is my cleaning solution. I get a soft-bristle toothbrush, a soft, dry cloth, a hand towel and finally my polishing cloth.

You are now organised to begin cleaning, but before you do, wash your hands with soap and warm water to remove body oils, lotions, dirt and grime - most people forget this part.

Now we are about to begin the cleaning process, and whether this is your first time or you are an old hand at this, the trick is to take your time.

Steps

• The Soak – I take one or two suitable gold or silver pieces and place them into the bowl on my left. I leave them in the soapy solution for one to two minutes to help dislodge dirt, grease and other contaminants.

• The Scrub – Remove one piece from the bowl and gently clean it with a clean, soft-bristle toothbrush. Gentle pressure helps remove dirt without unnecessary abrasion, but do not use the brush directly on delicate stones such as pearls, opals or turquoise.

I then give my brush a bit of a wash in the soapy water bowl to remove any contaminants.

• The Dip – After gently brushing the piece, I dip it into the clean-water bowl on my right. This rinse removes the loosened grime and soapy residue.
  
  I then give it another quick visual inspection, looking for any areas I may have missed. After checking it, I return it to the bowl on my left for another one to two minutes while I work on the other piece.
  
  

• The Repeat – After the second one-to-two-minute soak, I remove the piece and gently brush any areas I noticed during my second inspection. I then dip it into the clean water again and give it a few gentle shakes to remove any remaining soapy residue.
  
  

• The Drying Process – I pat the piece dry with the soft, dry cloth to remove as much excess water as possible, then place it on the hand towel and allow it to air dry completely. This helps ensure that no water remains trapped within the piece.
  

• The Polish – Once all the jewellery is completely dry, I give each piece a gentle rub with the polishing cloth before putting it away. It is amazing how satisfying it is to see the jewellery looking beautiful again.

Cleaning Soft and Porous Stone Jewellery

While many suitable gold and silver pieces can be cleaned using the method above, there are exceptions because some gemstones have special care requirements. Opal and turquoise are beautiful stones, but they should not be soaked in water for any length of time.

Our jewellery-cleaning process needs to be modified slightly for stones such as opal and turquoise. Instead of soaking the jewellery, dip your toothbrush into the soapy water and use it to clean the metal, taking care not to scrub the stone. Then use a slightly damp cloth to wipe the stone and setting gently before drying the piece thoroughly.

Cleaning Pearls at Home

Pearls are known as the queen of the sea, so you might assume they can be soaked in water, but the opposite is true. Pearls should not be soaked, so how do you clean them? You still need a bowl of mild soapy water, a soft cloth and your hand towel.

If you are cleaning a necklace with one or more pearls, clean the metal first by dipping the toothbrush into the soapy water and gently cleaning only the metal. When you move to the pearls, whether it is a single pearl or an entire strand, lay the piece on a slightly damp cloth and gently wipe each pearl as you turn it with your hands.

Once cleaned, place the pearls on your hand towel and allow them to air dry completely before putting them away. After wearing pearls, I recommend giving them a gentle wipe with a soft cloth to remove body oils, perfume or lotions. (watch video)

How Often Should You Clean Jewellery?

How often you clean your jewellery depends on how frequently it is worn and how quickly oils, lotions and dirt build up. I usually give my most-worn pieces, such as rings, chains and earrings, a gentle clean about once every six weeks.

 

Jewellery worn only for special occasions does not need to be cleaned every month if it has not been worn. I give these pieces a gentle wipe after wearing them and clean them before storing them if needed. Once you establish a routine, it becomes second nature and does not take long.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are cleaning a diamond ring or your favourite earrings, suitable jewellery can be cleaned at home without harsh chemicals or specialist jewellery cleaners. Make it an enjoyable process: put on your favourite playlist, follow the instructions above and bring your jewellery back to life so it shines brightly again.