An Expert Guide on How to Clean Earrings

Earrings are more than just accessories - they are a way for you to show personality and style in a fashionable way. Whether you like to dress up a look with some statement earrings, you love a pair of classic hoops or drop earrings, or you're more for some simple diamond earring studs, earrings can be the perfect way to complement your personal style. However, there is one thing all earrings have in common - that they all need regular cleaning. This expert guide by Miltons Diamonds will talk you through the steps of cleaning your earrings properly and some things you should be careful of to keep your earrings looking their best.

The Importance of Keeping Your Earrings Clean

Not only is it important that your jewellery is clean to maintain a shiny and high-quality appearance, but it is also important for hygiene reasons. If the earrings you wear regularly have a build-up of oil and dirt, it can lead to skin irritation or infections. Earrings that you wear regularly should be cleaned every 3-4 weeks. This will make sure dirt is regularly being cleaned from your earrings. Earrings that you wear on special occasions don’t need to be cleaned regularly. However, you should consider cleaning them after every wear - especially if you are going to store them away for a while until your next occasion. If you have a large earring collection, cleaning after every wear will help you keep on top of cleaning and ensure that your earring collection remains sparkling and shiny in your jewellery box.

What to Be Mindful Of

Before you start gently scrubbing your earrings, make sure you are aware of the type of metal your earrings are made of. Some cleaning products can affect and damage the material. For example, you shouldn’t put silver polish on a pair of gold earrings. If your earrings have diamonds and gemstones, pay particular attention when cleaning, as dirt can get trapped in small spaces. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners as this can dull and damage the diamonds.

Step 1 - Supplies and Prep

Before you start you will need to prepare the supplies, including:

• Silver polish or cleaner (if you are cleaning silver earrings)
• Mild soap
• Warm water
• 2 microfibre cloths
• Silver polishing cloth (for silver earrings)
• Soft-bristled brush

If you have heavily tarnished silver earrings, consider using the baking soda and aluminium foil method. This is a method that includes a chemical reaction to remove tarnish.

Step 2 - Soak

Start by lining a bowl with a microfibre cloth and adding warm water. Ensure the bowl is covered - this will help protect your earrings from any scratches from the bowl. Add some jewellery cleaner or mild soap to the water and allow your earrings to soak for 15-20 minutes. This will allow time for any oils, dirt and grime that could be attached to the earrings to lift. If your earrings have a very intricate design, consider leaving them to soak for a little longer to make sure that the water is getting into the smaller spaces.

Step 3 - Scrub

Now that your earrings have soaked in the liquid solution, gently begin to scrub and buff away any visible dirt. Don't be afraid to get into the corners - you will be surprised how much invisible dirt can be on your earrings! Pay extra care to the more delicate parts of your earrings and don't scrub too vigorously - this can cause small scratches and damage to the earrings. Once you are happy with your results and feel you have cleaned your earrings thoroughly, begin to rinse in pure water removing any soap or cleaner residue off the earrings.

Step 4 - Dry

Now, gently pat your earrings dry with your clean cloth, making sure your earrings are completely dry before you return them to your jewellery box or wear them. You could also choose to air-dry your earrings. You can also gently polish your jewellery with a polishing cloth to give it some added shine. You should avoid drying with a paper towel or tissue as this can scratch the earrings.

Consider Professional Cleaning

Although at-home cleaning is an effective method of cleaning your jewellery, more delicate pieces may benefit from being cleaned by a professional jeweller. A professional can clean all the hard-to-reach places of your earrings and restore the shine for you. They will also be able to identify if there are any problems with your earrings such as scratches, tarnishing or breakages - and will be able to repair them. Here at Miltons Diamonds, we have a bespoke service where you bring your jewellery in for a cleaning and polish. Our experienced goldsmiths will clean and polish your jewellery and also identify if there are any problems that need repairing.

Looking for a New Pair of Earrings to Add to Your Collection?

Here at Miltons Diamonds we have a large range of platinum, yellow, white and rose gold earrings for you to browse on our website and in-store. Our dedicated jewellers will help you to find the perfect pair of earrings to enhance your look, whether that be an everyday piece or an occasion piece. We buy and sell jewellery so we also have a collection of pre-loved earrings that have been professionally cleaned and polished to restore their original shine. If you have any questions don't hesitate to get in touch we will be happy to help.