Jewelry adds a special touch to any outfit, but certain pieces are worn more often than others, creating smudges and other unappealing marks. After carefully collecting jewelry over the years, you might be more than a little hesitant to clean it on your own. However, with the right supplies and a gentle finesse, you can make your jewelry sparkle again.

Here are three jewelry cleaning tips to keep your favorite pieces beautiful:

Try Denture Cleaning Tablets

Denture cleaning tablets, like Alka-Seltzer®, contain sodium hydrogen carbonate, a small amount of citric acid, and a little aspirin. To clean jewelry easily, consider dropping a few denture cleaning tablets into a bowl of warm water and then soaking your dirty jewelry for about twenty minutes. The citric acid and carbonation gently dissolve dirt and grime, and the aspirin won’t harm your pieces. This method can be used for most jewelry, but avoid using it to clean pieces with opals or pearls.

Use Polish

Tarnish can form on most jewelry pieces because of exposure to perfumes, dyes, moisture, and even soap residue. To remove tarnish, polish your jewelry gently with a soft cloth. Many jewelry stores sell soft buffing cloths designed to remove tarnish without harming precious metals.

Invest in an Ultrasonic Cleaner

If denture cleaner and soft buffing cloths don’t do the trick, consider investing in a personal ultrasonic jewelry cleaning device. These devices range in price based on their features. These systems work by running ultrasonic waves through jewelry cleaner, creating a mild amount of friction, removing caked on grime and tarnish from your piece.  

If you aren’t having any luck cleaning and polishing your jewelry, consider working with the professionals to get the job done. Schwartz Jewelers in Cincinnati, OH, have over 70 years of experience creating, cleaning, and repairing jewelry, so they can help you restore your favorite necklaces, earrings, watches, and bracelets. To learn more about the products and services offered, check out the website or call (513) 541-5627.