If you’ve owned a piece of jewelry for a while, you know that they tend to get tarnished, and cleaning the tarnish can be a real hassle, as well as really expensive. Did you know, however, that there's a quick, free way to clean your jewels at home, with very little effort, if any? By combining a few common household items and very little elbow grease, your jewelry collection will sparkle like new.
What you’ll need:
• Aluminum Foil
• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of dish detergent
• 1 tablespoon of salt
• A bowl
• An old toothbrush
Instructions:
1. Line a bowl with aluminum foil, shiny side up. The aluminum foil serves to create a mild electrochemical reaction, which helps to clean the tarnish off of silver.
2. In the aluminum foil-lined bowl, add salt and baking soda. These ingredients work together as gentle yet effective abrasives to help scrub off the tarnish.
3. Add the dish detergent to the mixture. Dish detergent is excellent for removing oils and dirt that have built up on your jewelry over time.
4. Pour in hot water, but not boiling. The hot water will help dissolve the salt and baking soda, but be careful not to use boiling water, especially with jewelry containing gemstones, as it could damage them.
5. Once the mixture starts to fizz, carefully place your jewelry into the bowl. Make sure each piece is touching the aluminum foil and is covered by water. Let the jewelry sit in this mixture for about 10–15 minutes.
6. After soaking, use an old toothbrush to gently scrub each piece of jewelry. This will help remove any remaining tarnish or dirt. For delicate or intricate pieces, you can also use a soft cloth or a cotton swab to reach tiny crevices.
7. Rinse each piece under warm water. Make sure to remove all the cleaning mixture to avoid leaving any residue, which can cause more tarnish.
8. Pat dry using a microfiber cloth or paper towel. For best results, let the jewelry air dry completely before storing or wearing.
7. Admire your rejuvenated, sparkling jewelry!
A few bonus tips:
• Always check whether your jewelry has specific cleaning instructions. Some materials may not react well to this cleaning method. • Avoid using this method with pearls, opals, or other soft or porous stones as it could damage them.
• If your jewelry contains glued-in gemstones, be aware that soaking could potentially loosen the glue.
• To prevent future tarnishing, store your jewelry in a cool, dry place and avoid exposure to humidity as much as possible.
• Regularly clean your jewelry to avoid heavy buildup of tarnish. The frequency will depend on how often you wear the pieces.
H/T: popsugar.com
Do You Know All 22 Unique Ways to Use Baking Soda?
Baking soda is amazing - Baking soda can help clean grease off floors, freshen your breath, and even relieve insect bites!
How to Remember Everything the Doctor Says
The doctor gives you prescription pills and an entire lecture on how to use them. How can you remember all that valuable info?
8 Surprising Ways Vinegar Can Help With Pet Care
From being a natural flea remedy to cleaning the aquarium, vinegar proves to be an excellent option for taking care of your pets.
Who Needs a Professional Cleaner With These Tips?
These stubborn stains can easily be removed with a little guidance.
Overwhelmed by Your iPhone Update? Here's Our Guide
New iPhone update isn't your cup of tea? Here's how to make your iPhone feel more familiar.
4 Common Gas Stove Top Issues and How to FIX Them
The stovetop can often cause a variety of problems. But here’s the good news – you can fix it at home!
12 Fabulous Uses for Socks That Have Lost Their Mate
Here is a terrifically useful list of 12 handy ways that your odd sock or stocking can regain her purpose, get ‘out there’ and reinvent herself.
Ease Your Neck Pain with This Secret Pressure Point
Looking down at our devices all day can cause pain in your neck. This pressure point can help alleviate it.
This Memory Technique Could Help You Remember Everything
If you have trouble remembering things, this mnemonic strategy could be just what you're after.
Cream Of Tartar Will Do Wonders For Your Health and Home!
If you've never heard of cream of tartar, you should find out how many different health benefits and uses this wonderful powder has!
Learn to Replace a Bathroom Faucet: Step by Step Tutorial
after watching this step by step video tutorial, you’ll know how to replace a bathroom faucet like a real pro...
You Wouldn't Believe All That You Can Do with a Bobby Pin
You'll be surprised at how much you can truly do with a simple bobby pin! Take a look:
The Secret to REALLY Cleaning Your Microwave in 3 Minutes
There is a simple trick to cleaning your microwave in just a couple of minutes, and all it requires is a bowl of water and two slices of lemon.
Darken Graying Hair Using Potato Peels!
Do you spend a lot of time fighting gray hair? The following simple idea will allow you to darken hair graying quickly using something we all have: potato peels!
A Comprehensive Guide to Growing Your Own Veggies!
There's nothing like starting the day with a fresh vegetable garden, and now you can do so every day with this ultimate veggie growing guide.
Step by Step – Learn 36 Interesting Facts About Walking!
What are the benefits of speed walking and how long would it take to walk around the planet? Learn this and much more now!
Shocking! How Thieves Steal Card Details at the ATM
Take note of some of the most common ways thieves will try to steal your credit card details.
This Common Item is More Helpful Than You Ever Guessed
Binder clips are a very common item at every office and in most houses. But did you know how many functions this simple-looking tool is capable of?
Never Struggle to Get Out of Bed Again with These Tips
Do you have difficulty getting out of bed in the morning? If so, you can add some much needed energy to your mornings by taking heed of these simple tips.
Mouthwash Can Do So Much More Than Freshen Your Breath
Did you know mouthwash is the number 1 household product you should keep at hand? Discover its fantastic multiple uses to see why.
The Egg Secret Tips You Never Knew...
This video shows you some of the best egg life hacks you never knew you needed, but now you'll see them - use all the time!
Spruce Up Your Dinner Table With These Napkin Techniques
Holidays are always a time of cheer. Spruce up your dining table with these 8 easy-to-try napkin techniques.
20 Unexpected Things You Can Plant in February
You’d be surprised at just how many plants you can get planted in February!
Four Ways to Tie Your Shoes for Foot Pain Relief
This helpful guide will teach you how to tie your laces based on the specific issue you're experiencing.
6 Simple and Practical Tips To Organize Your Kitchen
A well organized kitchen is the first step to a gratifying cooking experience
Christmas Tree Hacks: 9 Game-Changing Tips
Use these Christmas tree tips to make your holiday festivities easier.
10 Clever Ways to Eat Less While Staying Healthy
How to eat less and still enjoy yourselves? Here are 10 easy ways to do just that!
You Don’t Need a Garden to Grow Fruits & Vegetables!
Why not grow your own produce in your own home?
This is How You Keep Your Marriage Strong & Life-Long!
Here are 12 ways you can keep your marriage long-lasting, strong, full of love and support.
7 Common Bank Scams and How to Avoid Them
Banking scams continue to evolve with time, but with proper knowledge you can learn to avoid them.
WATCH: 10 Amazing Life-Hacks You Wish You Knew Years Ago
If there were only 10 life-hacks you needed to learn, these would be them.
This Tip Collection is Amazingly Helpful!
You’ll be pleased to hear there are old wives' tales that are grounded in fact. This list of 9 true tales will help you get your house spic and span!
Say Goodbye to Shrunken Clothes with This Neat Laundry Trick
Recently I accidentally shrunk my favorite pair of pants. I was preparing to bid them farewell until my friend suggested a laundry trick that would revert them back to their former length. I didn’t even know this was possible. See how it's done!
Ever Notice How All of Women's Problems Begin with MEN?
Ever Notice How All of Women's Problems Begin with Men?
Driving in Bad Weather Needn't Be Dangerous with These Tips
Drive safely in bad weather by bearing in mind these six essential tips.
What is Your MBTI Personality? Discover Now!
A great way to find out what kind of personality you have, using a scientific personality test.
Clean Your Washing Machine With This Easy DIY Cleaner
This natural DIY formula will keep your washing machine safe and clean.
12 Things Veterinarians Want Pet Owners to Know
To be in the know, you better read the 12 things that veterinarians want to tell you - the pet owners.
10 of the Fastest-Growing Vegetables
There is a variety of fast-growing vegetables, including legumes, leafy greens, and root vegetables. We feature 10 of the fastest-growing veggies in this article.
10 Poisonous Flowers Every Gardener Should Know About
Flowers add an array of color to your garden, but some of these are actually quite toxic. Here are 10 of that you should be aware of.
19 Household Items You Need to Change Now
It's high time you change these household items.
15 Cleaning Tips to Keep Your Home Spotless With Ease
Tips and tricks that'll help you keep your home clean with speed and ease.
DIY: Make Your Own Wall Stencil in 8 Easy Steps
Get a designer look for half the price. This easy DIY guide will show you how to make a beautiful wall stencil in 8 easy steps.
13 Mistakes You’re Making in the Shower!
Do you take a shower every day? If so, you're already making one of the 13 shower mistakes most people aren't aware of. Discover them all in the next article.
How to Deal With a Narcissist in Your Life
This article will provide essential information on how to identify these subtypes and offer effective strategies for dealing with different situations in life.
These Life-Changing Tricks Will Make Your Scalp Less Oily
We will show you how to make your hair produce less oil and give handy tips and DIY tricks that can help reduce the appearance of oily hair
Where is YOUR Dog From? The Full Dog Breed Compendium
The complete guide to dog races by country!