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
The Easiest Way to Clean and Freshen Your Mattress
There are thousands of small reasons to clean your mattress, and one simple way to do so!
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.
Guide: How to Get Rid of 18 Bad Odors in the House
Familiarize yourself with the 18 items that can help eliminate, neutralize, prevent, and mask any unpleasant smells in every area of your home.
How to Tell Your Children You Have Cancer
What's the right way to tell your children you have cancer, and are there situations where you shouldn't?
Sanitize and Diminish Odors in Any Space in 1 Minute
This tip will deodorize and sanitize the air in any fridge, cabinet, or any other small space.
Guide: How You Can Clean Your Jewels at Home for Free
Enjoying clean jewels used to be a tedious chore, or an expensive visit to the jeweler's, but this way you can do it at home, for free!
Can One Determine Personality Traits Off Fingerprint Types?
Dermatoglyphics, the study of fingerprints, is so precise that someone's personality type can be determined simply by looking at their fingerprint patterns!
An Easy Guide to Preventing and Treating Wrinkles
A simple guide to understanding, preventing and treating wrinkles, plus 2 recipes for anti-aging face masks. Take a look!
A Word from Warren Buffett: Investing for Beginners
Unpack the genius of Buffet's philosophy and get a chance to understand the financial world through his eyes. Tune in, absorb, and let your financial journey flourish.
Guide: How to Reduce the Risk of Accidents at Home
As you age you will find yourself spending more time at home. This guide gives you tips and ideas for making your home safe, comfortable and easy to navigate.
17 Original and Neat Ways to Tie Your Shoelaces
A minor alteration in the way we tie our shoelaces can have a great impact on comfort and visual appeal. Learn 17 different ways of tying your shoelaces.
14 Genius Cooking Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner!
Try these awesome cooking hacks today to make your life easier.
7 Mistakes You Should Avoid When Maintaining Your Car
Seven mistakes we make with the car that cost us money.
This Is How You Can Quickly Get out of a Sinking Car
If you ever find yourself in a sinking car, this is how you can escape. This video could one day save your life.
Stunning! The Evolution of Beauty From 1952 to Today
Our definition of beauty may change as years go by but these pictures prove that true beauty is timeless.
How to Increase Water Pressure in Your Shower: 9 Tips
Is the water pressure really slow in your shower? Here’s what you should do to improve it.
Make Your Daily Life Easier with These Great Home Tips!
Here are 22 easy to apply tricks will make your life hassle free. Some of them are so simple you’ll wonder why you didn't think of them first.
These Natural Cleaning Solutions Will Remove Anything!
Who would have thought that countless chores around your home can be tackled with these easy, natural cleaning solutions?
10 Essential Tips to Revamp Your Home on a Budget
Looking to renovate your home? Here's how to do so on a budget.
Banish Your Wrinkles With These Natural Face Masks
Keep your wrinkles at bay with these natural, easy to make face mask recipes.
9 Tips to Ensure You Drink Enough Healthy Water Every Day!
Water is so important for our health it's hard to overstate. But most people find it rather dull. So, here are some tips to make sure you get enough.
How to Build a Heron's Fountain That Runs Forever
Make your home a soothing sanctuary with this DIY non-stop water fountain.
WOW! Genius Foot Care Hacks That’ll Change Your Life
Take care of your feet with these simple and effective tips and hacks.
The Ultimate Makeup Guide You Need in Your Life!
Learn how to prepare makeup for day-to-day as well as special occasions the right way thanks to the nifty tricks given by this life-saving infographic!
How Can I Make Christmas More Affordable? - 12 Smart Tips
Save money this Christmas with these useful tips and hacks.
33 Things You Never Knew Your Toothpaste Could Do
Your toothpaste is more versatile than you thought.
Watch This and Become a Knot Expert!
Become a knotting expert with this educational guide. Some of these knots can be life-saving...
10 Great Money Tips from the World's Most Successful People
People rarely find success by accident. So why don’t you set yourself up for financial success by listening to the following pieces of advice.
What 1939 Thought of Fashion Today!
hilarious short video from 1939 that dares to dream about the year of 2000 AD....
Give Your Shoes a New Life with These Clever Hacks
Everyone should know these life-changing shoe hacks.
Keep Your Jewelry Sparkling Clean With This Perfect Guide
Jewelry is quick to tarnish and lose its beauty. But don't despair - use these cheap and easy methods to clean it at home!
Clean Your Washing Machine With This Easy DIY Cleaner
This natural DIY formula will keep your washing machine safe and clean.
13 Daily Objects We Could Be Using Better
You probably think you know how to use most of these objects already. Don't worry, all of us thought the same...
Stay Clear of These 9 RISKY Google Searches
You can search anything on Google, but it’s advisable not to do so for these risky things.
What is Your MBTI Personality? Discover Now!
A great way to find out what kind of personality you have, using a scientific personality test.
How to Make Hand Sanitizer at Home With Just 2 Ingredients
None of these 3 DIY hand sanitizer recipes use more than 3 ingredients, some of which you likely already have in the medicine cabinet
Make Your Life Easier With 20 Brilliant Tips!
A collection of brilliant tips that you can find use for every single day.
7 Ways to Trap Pesky Fruit Flies
Fruit flies can be incredibly gross and annoying, but you're about to learn 7 novel ways of trapping the little critters.
39 Smart Cleaning Tips You Just Have to Try
You can never know enough about cleaning. In This Video you can finds 39 great cleaning tips to make your life much simpler.
Solve 18 Cooking and Food Storage Problems With These Tips
These 18 food tips will teach you how to prevent food from spoiling and will show you how to save time and effort in preparing certain foods
Catch an Attacker Off-Guard with These Self Defense Moves
Learn a few simple moves and catch your attacker off guard with this simple guide.
A Guide to Identifying and Treating 8 Common Lawn Problems
Discover 8 common problems in gardens and lawns and how they can be treated
Is Your Garden Healthy? Test It with These Soil Tips
How healthy is your garden? Test it out with these helpful tips.
5 Incredible Secrets 5-Star Hotels Use to Do the Laundry
Achieve outstanding results with these incredible laundry tips
15 Golden Tips to Start Living a Better, Happier Life...
These 15 little tips sound like small things, but they can make your life that much better.
Transform Your Room with These DIY Painting Tips
Painting your own room may seem like a daunting task. But here are some useful tips that will make the job easier.
Have You Been Making These Toilet Paper Mistakes Too?
The next time you use toilet paper, avoid these mistakes.