It's inevitable for plated jewelry to get dirty—or at least lose its coveted luster and shine. After days of exposure to dirt and oils from our lotions or perfumes, both silver- and gold-plated pieces start to look, in a word, dull. That's why giving them a proper clean every now and then is necessary. While it may sound like an additional task that'll take up a lot of time, cleaning plated jewelry is actually very simple and doesn't require any special, expensive materials. In fact, you likely already own everything you need to get back your piece's luster and shine. Ahead, how to clean both silver- and gold-plated jewelry in just a few no-fuss steps.
GOLD-PLATED JEWELRY
1. Wipe after every wear
Just as you should with your pearls, wipe down your gold-plated jewelry after every wear. Use either a cotton ball of a lint-free cloth to remove excess oil it collects from everyday use.
2. Restore shine with a jewelry cloth
If your gold-plated jewelry is starting to look a bit dull, restore its shine by simply rubbing the surface with a soft jewelry cloth.
3. If it's really dirty, make a water-soap solution
If you notice that a simple wipe down or polish doesn't get rid of the dirt, then it's time to really clean it. The first step? Make a water-soap solution using lukewarm water and a gentle soap (Note: Stay away from harsh jewelery cleaners or antibacterial soap).
4. Soak it in the solution, then clean with a soft brush
This step is fairly simple. Soak the jewelry in the solution, using a soft brush and gentle scrubbing motion to polish away a dirt and restore shine.
SILVER-PLATED JEWELRY
1. Make a water solution
Mix lukewarm water and a mild dish soap to create a foamy solution.
2. Soak the silver-plated jewelry
Once you've mixed your solution, soak the piece for a few minutes to soften the dirt.
3. Use a lint-free cloth to polish
After the piece has been submerged, lightly rub it to remove all the dirt, making sure to get to all the groves, too.
4. Rinse and dry
Rinse off the jewelry under warm water and dry with a fresh, lint-free cloth.
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This story was published at an earlier date and has been recently updated.