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
6 Common Mistakes You're Likely Making When Cracking Eggs
These are the biggest mistakes people make when cracking eggs.
How to Remember Everything the Doctor Says
The doctor gives you prescription pills and an entire lecture on how to use them. How can you remember all that valuable info?
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.
Who Needs a Professional Cleaner With These Tips?
These stubborn stains can easily be removed with a little guidance.
Do You Know All 22 Unique Ways to Use Baking Soda?
Baking soda is amazing - Baking soda can help clean grease off floors, freshen your breath, and even relieve insect bites!
12 Ways to Remove Odors from a Microwave
If your microwave has lingering smells despite regular cleaning, here are 12 DIY solutions to neutralize those odors effectively.
16 Survival Gadgets for Any Emergency Situation
These cool gadgets can be extremely useful in any emergency situation.
6 Home Remedies that'll Stop Your Dog from Scratching
To help alleviate your dog's discomfort, we have gathered six effective home remedies that you can whip up and use today.
15 Awesome Tips Just For Women!
At home, at work or in the middle of the street, there are situations that only women can understand. The following 15 tips are for women only!
Here's What You Do With Your Leftover Plastic Spoons!
I never thought there was so much to do with this simple single-use utensil.
5 Natural Solutions to Keep Unwanted Insects Away
These illustrations will show you how to reduce your pest problems in your garden.
Is Perfectionism Running Your Life? Here's What to Do
Are you a perfectionist, and do you feel like it is ruining your life? Here's what to do about it.
10 Amazing Beauty Uses for Banana Peels
Everyone knows that bananas are great for your health, but not many people know that the peel can be beneficial too and should be added to your beauty regime.
8 Crucial Car Tips Everyone Should Know About
Learn 8 great car tips that are useful even after years of sitting behind a steering wheel!
9 Ultimate Methods for Stain Removal around the House
Things we;ve had for a long time tend to lose their fresh-out-the-box look but this can be remedied! These methods will help you remove those stubborn stains!
Imitation Foods Aren’t All Bad – Here Are 6 Safe Options
Imitation foods aren’t always bad. Some of them are actually good, while some are avoidable.
Here Are 10 Foods You Should Never Keep in the Pantry!
Are you the type of person who stores most of your food in the pantry? If so, you really must read this as there are foods that should never be stowed there!
26 Handy Tips That'll Fit Any Kitchen
These tips will make you a master of the kitchen, full of little secrets and shortcuts...
We All Have Aspirin - And Here Are 9 Things to Use It For
Aspirin is about as pedestrian a pill as you can think of - or so you might think! In reality it has loads of surprising uses. Here are 9 of the best.
Say Goodbye to Neck and Back Pain with These Super Tips
These top tips from chiropractors will enable you to put back and neck pain firmly in the rearview mirror.
12 Things Your Dog Can Do...
Here are 12 surprising things that your furry companion knows about you better than anyone else, maybe even more than you do.
Baby Oil Can Do Things You Never Even Considered!
Baby oil is usually used to keep your baby's skin soft, but in the next article, you'll get ideas for six more effective and surprising ways to use it.
10 Simple Solutions to Removing Paint Stains From Clothes
Got paint stains on your clothes but not sure how to remove them? Here's what to do.
Do You Know All 22 Unique Ways to Use Baking Soda?
Baking soda is amazing - Baking soda can help clean grease off floors, freshen your breath, and even relieve insect bites!
Guide: 10 Stunning Hairdos You Can Do Yourself at Home
These simple yet impressive hairstyles will leave you feeling confident and stylish for any occasion.
Everything You Need to Know About Hearing Aid Fitting
So how does one choose the best hearing aid for them? This video will explain.
10 Tips to Washing Your Car the Right Way
Here are a few tips on how to effectively wash your car without damaging the paint or leaving marks.
Video Guide: Peel a Potato in Less Than a Minute
In this video guide, you will learn how to peel potatoes as quickly as possible.
6 Handy Ways to Open a Bottle WITHOUT a Bottle Opener
Want to enjoy your bottle of beer but can't find the bottle opener? Don't worry. Try these clever hacks.
One Hundred Fascinating Facts About the Amazing Human Body
The human body is the most amazing thing in the universe. Here are 100 reasons why!
Collection: 12 Full Guides to Pet Care!
What can't we feed them? How do we know they're sick? What does their behavior mean? All this and more you'll find in these guides.
Ten Things You Can Do With Sugar You Never Knew About
Sugar can do a whole lot more than just make things sweet.
Shoe Discomfort? 10 Ways to Tie Your Shoes that Offer Relief
By lacing your shoes correctly, you can reduce pressure on certain areas of your feet and enjoy a more comfortable run in any pair of shoes
29 Psychological Tricks that Make You Spend More Money!
What are the psychological tactics used by salespeople, marketers, and retailers that make us buy more?
Wow, I Never Knew it Was This Easy to Check a Battery!
Did you know you can actually find out if your battery is empty or not? This little tip only takes 2 seconds to do.
5 Home Remedies to Banish Mosquitoes From Your Life
Yo won't need to spend another cent on mosquito repellents once you have become acquainted with these natural ones!
Boost Your Happiness in These 22 Small, Easy Ways
Do these little things every day, to make you feel happy.
4 Stylish Haircuts that Take Years Off Your Face
Sometimes, all it takes to look years younger is a change in your hair style and color.
If You Love Dogs, Then Avoid Doing These Things With Them
Even though you love your dog, you might be annoying it with some of your habits. Watch to find out more...
9 Genius Ideas For Keeping Your Food Fresh For Longer
These great and simple storage tips will help you keep your food fresher for longer, and save you some extra trips to the grocery store!
These Powerful Questions Can Lead You to a Happy Life
Harness the power of questions to transform your life for the better!
Learn the Self-Massage That Treats Back And Neck Pain
Many muscle aches, including back and neck pain, result from muscle bonds called "trigger points" - today you'll learn how to identify and treat these points.
Guide: 11 Ways to Defend Yourself in an Emergency
The basic self defence tips all women should know.
This Short Grilling Tip Will Make Your Food Taste Better
Learn the best type of smoke for your grill and how to create it at home.
This DIY Food Dispenser Will Transform Your Pet's Life!
A great way to ensure your pet is getting the right amount of food.
6 Stress-Relieving Cuddly Companions for Your Home
You must have these stress-relieving companions for your home.
Why Your Consumer Brand Loyalty Can Backfire
It happens to all the consumer goods you can imagine...