DIY Homemade Jewelry Cleaner

Why buy store made jewelry cleaners when you can make it yourself? Here are 3 types of easy homemade jewelry cleaner to make with supplies you already have!

A brass bracelet and platinum wedding rings on white paper with the words \"Homemade Jewelry Cleaner (3 ways)\"

Homemade jewelry cleaner

I have to admit, I’m not very consistent with cleaning my jewelry anymore. I really only wear my wedding and engagement rings along with a diamond necklace all the time so I barely take them off to clean them.

I remember in those carefree days as a newlywed before all these kids took over the house and all my time, I’d dunk my newly acquired wedding rings in a jewelry cleaning solution every morning as I got ready for work-and then spend the day admiring my sparkling clean rings (I do like some bling!)

Nowadays I’m lucky to clean my face let alone my jewelry and when I do think of it more than likely I have no dedicated jewelry cleaner in the house, so I recently tested a few of the internet’s millions of recipes for Homemade Jewelry Cleaner to share with you the best of the best.

DIY jewelry cleaners

*I’ve done a lot of research and tested these methods myself-however use at your own risk. Do not use any of these methods on pearls, opals, turquoise or other opaque stones or jewelry held together by glue.*

How to clean jewelry with alka-seltzer

I think this is my favorite DIY jewelry cleaner because it’s so easy, simply drop the alka-seltzer tablets in about a cup of water, let sit for 5 minutes, rinse and shine!

Remove silver tarnish on jewelry with tin foil

The old chemistry geek in me loves a good chemical reaction so this is a favorite for cleaning tarnished silver jewelry at home (or silverware.)

  1. Line a dish bowl with a 4″ square of tin foil.
  2. Fill it to one inch with very hot water.
  3. Add one tablespoon of salt OR you can use baking soda (NOT BOTH-choose one) and stir to dissolve.
  4. Submerge silver in the solution for up to five minutes, rinse and buff dry. May be repeated if silver is very tarnished.

How to clean gold jewelry with beer

I know, right? Who’d have thought? To clean and polish solid gold jewelry simply dunk a clean cloth in a bit of light beer (lager or pilsner) and polish. Use a clean cloth to wipe dry.

How to clean diamond and silver jewelry with toothpaste

Diamonds and silver jewelry can be polished by using an old toothbrush to gently buff with a gentle toothpaste. Rinse and buff dry for incredible shine!

So what do you do for those pearls and other precious stones that can’t be cleaned with any of these homemade jewelry cleaners? Simply buff with a lint-free cloth and call it a day. Those stones are too delicate to be submerged in cleaners. If you can, try to gently wipe after each wearing before you put them away.

How often do you clean your jewelry? Any other DIY jewelry cleaner ideas I should try and test out?

Here are some other fast and easy tips you might like:

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20 Comments

  1. As you said. then it can be an effective way to clean ornaments. Though I always take professional service, But I will try this, if it is effective then it can be a money-saving article for me. Thanks.

  2. i work in precious metals so i have used rubbing alcohol, just put gold or silver in a jar, with the rubbing alcohol and wait overnight. there should be a drastic difference in shine and clarity. it does work for all types of jewelry and precious metals except for pearls and rhodium. definitely do not use this stuff on rhodium. it may cause an explosion, just maybe with rhodium.

  3. Cool. I think this is the way to save lots of time and money, but what do you think about cleaner machine? Please suggest.

  4. I can’t believe how well toothpaste worked on my tarnished silver. Barely any scrubbing required – so easy!

  5. To the Jeffrey Cohen of Bulova. Ex editor from More magazine Brette Polin recently got involved in dangerous corraption business with crazy CBS anchor Otis Livingston to steal money from Bulova company employees banks accounts never trust Brette Polin and Otis Livingston theya are nothin but crime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  6. Thanks for the amazing post! it really would help all readers use simple things to clean their jewelry.
    …however may take a couple of tries. I put in a solid gold band and it came out clean but I wanted more shine.
    there is this Jewelry cleaner I bought couple weeks ago, I use a few drops of dawn dish washing solution. this is one thing I love about it, because you need no special solutions that cost extra money and you get a sparling shine.
    I’m sure this will provide tremendous value to anyone that sees this, you can check it out here: https://amzn.to/2EiSihp

  7. Lipstick! Put a little on a soft tissue and wipe around your bands.I wouldn’t use it on your gems, but watch the grim come off. Buff and shine with a clean tissue!

  8. I used the aluminum foil method many times for years. The first time that I tried it, I was SO amazed with the results, as I had some silver jewelry that I’d neglected for quite some time. It didn’t even appear to be “silver”. For the reason that I usually clean numerous pieces at one time, I tear the aluminum foil up into little pieces so each piece of jewelry will be in contact with the foil. I add very hot water, baking soda, and a few drops of dish detergent). I place in a bowl with a well sealing lid and shake gently for about 30 seconds, then let soak for 10-15 minutes. Using a soft bristle brush and the liquid, I gently scrub the jewelry. Last, I rinse and buff dry.

  9. Cleaning diamond rings or any ring with a stone in it with toothpaste is a bad idea. Toothpaste is gritty and is not a good substance to be bringing against your precious gen stones. Always use a soft toothbrush as well.

  10. I’ve tried this with tin foil and baking soda,but I’m not quite sure about the results. It was very efficient for the silverware of my mother, but my jewelry didn’t lookgood enough. The other ideas you’ve provided seem interesting, so I’ll try some. Thank you for these tips 🙂

  11. Thanks for the nice ideas! The only thing I’ve ever used is toothpaste, I had no idea beer was also a good jewelry cleaner. I will definitely test those next time!

  12. Polishing silver with toothpaste is good idea. I love my jewellery to sparkle! I hope that really works and I will give it a try tonight.

      1. Melissa, don’t swallow the ring! Lol! I couldn’t resist commenting. Actually, that would be something that I would do. Lol! j/k!

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