When you wear jewelry as much as I do, you’re bound to build up hard water stains on your precious stones. (I’m talking to my fellow cat ladies). Unless you remove them on a regular basis, those hard water marks can give off a dingy and dirty appearance. But fear not, there are a few do’s and don’ts that will help you clean your jewelry like the pros!
Use a soft-bristle toothbrush.
The best way to prevent cavities and gum disease is to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day and visit your dentist regularly for professional cleaning and brushing.
The first thing your dentist will recommend is using a soft-bristle toothbrush. It’s important that you use the right brush to prevent damage to your teeth and gums.
When choosing a toothbrush, look for one with soft nylon bristles. Nylon bristles are more flexible than other materials such as plastic or hard nylon and are better at removing plaque from teeth.
You should replace your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles become frayed or worn out.
Always start with the mildest solution first.
When you’re trying to solve a problem, it’s tempting to go for the most obvious solution. But you can save yourself a lot of time and energy by always starting with the mildest solution first.
If you’re a busy person who doesn’t have time to waste on trial and error, this is a great way to get things done faster. It also helps you avoid making unnecessary mistakes — like spending hours trying to fix something that would have taken minutes if you’d just started with the right solution in the first place.
As an example, let’s say you need to make a copy of a file and email it to someone. You could send it as an attachment, but then they wouldn’t be able to edit it unless they had access to the same software as you do (which might not be possible if they’re using different hardware or operating systems). Instead, try sending them a copy of their own via Dropbox or Google Drive. It’ll be much easier for them than receiving an attachment from you, and will let them work on their own time without having to wait for your reply before getting started on their project.
Don’t use ammonia or chlorine bleach.
There are some things you can do to remove the smell of cigarette smoke from your home’s walls and furnishings.
Wash with water. A gentle scrubbing with a damp cloth and mild soap will remove most smudges and marks. Rinse well, then dry with a soft cloth.
Vacuum thoroughly. Vacuum all surfaces thoroughly to remove as much ash residue as possible. Don’t forget to clean upholstered furniture, carpets and drapes.
Air out. Open windows and doors for a few days after smoking has ended in order to allow fresh air in your home. Make sure smoking is prohibited in outside areas used by the entire family (such as decks, patios and porches).
Don’t boil or steam jewelry to clean it.
Clean your jewelry in the dishwasher.
Never boil or steam jewelry to clean it. This can cause warping and other damage to the metal.
Don’t use harsh chemicals on your jewelry. Many household products, such as bleach and ammonia, can damage your jewelry.
Use a soft brush or sponge to remove dirt and grime from your jewelry. If you have stubborn stains that won’t come away with a brush, try using a soft toothbrush or an old toothbrush with soft bristles (if you’re careful not to scratch the surface). You can also use an old toothpaste tube filled with water and use it like an eraser on the back of your earrings (or wherever else they may need attention).
Hand wash silver-plated pieces in warm soapy water, then rinse well and dry immediately on a towel lined with paper towels (paper towels will soak up moisture from your hands).
Never soak silver-plated pieces in water for long periods of time – this can cause discoloration over time as well as rusting if left too long in standing water.
Don’t use ultrasonic cleaners or steamers.
These cleaners can easily damage your watch. Most contain high-pressure water that can cause the crystal to crack, and the high heat of steamers can melt the rubber wristband or buckle. Ultrasonic cleaners are also a little noisy for our tastes, so we don’t recommend using them unless you really need to get in there and clean out all of the crevices and hard-to-reach places on your watch case.
Don’t use dish soap.
Dish soap contains chemicals that can dull the finish on your watch case and straps. We recommend using a mild liquid detergent instead.
Dry jewelry carefully.
If you’re not careful, your jewelry could be ruined by water. For example, the setting of a ring can become loose and fall off.
To keep your jewelry dry, make sure you don’t wear it when bathing or swimming. You should also avoid wearing it in the shower or taking a bath with it on. If you need to wash your hands while wearing your ring, do so quickly before removing the ring altogether.
In addition, you need to make sure that your jewelry is completely dry before storing it in its box or pouch. Otherwise, the moisture will seep into the metal and cause damage over time.
Don’t clean in direct sunlight or near hot surfaces.
When you’re cleaning, don’t clean in direct sunlight or near hot surfaces. This can cause the oils in your skin to evaporate and leave behind residue on your furniture.
If you do clean before bedtime, don’t sleep with your face in the pillowcase. The oils from your face will transfer onto the pillowcase, which can create a musty smell when it gets heated up again during the night.
Don’t use harsh chemicals or cleaning products on your pillows. It’s better to use natural cleaners like baking soda and water instead of chemical-based cleaners that might damage your pillow fabric or foam inside.
If you have any questions about how to clean pillows, talk with a professional who has experience cleaning pillows before attempting it yourself.
Cleaning jewelry can be accomplished safely if done correctly
Cleaning jewelry can be accomplished safely if done correctly. A water-based cleaning solution is best for most types of jewelry. Use a soft cloth or a jewelry polishing cloth to clean these items. Never use paper towels, which will scratch the surface of your jewelry.
For gold and platinum, wear rubber gloves and rinse the pieces with warm water before cleaning them with dish soap and water. Rinse again with warm water and dry thoroughly before wearing or storing your jewelry.
For silver, copper, brass and bronze, use baking soda mixed with warm water as a gentle abrasive cleaner for tarnished surfaces. Use a soft brush to remove excess dirt from the piece before rubbing in the baking soda mixture until shiny surfaces appear again. Rinse well with warm water and dry completely before wearing or storing your jewelry.
Leave a Reply