Accessorizing any outfit with the right piece of jewelry can elevate your look to the next level. Jewelry items that you wear on a regular basis can lose their appeal as they become dirty or tarnished over time. Cleaning these items will restore their original luster and appeal.

Here are two simple hacks you can use to make cleaning your jewelry a lot easier in the future.

1. Rely on a chemical reaction to get rid of tarnish.

If you enjoy wearing jewelry items made from silver, you know that these items can begin to tarnish over time. While many people think that removing tarnish from the surface of silver jewelry it nearly impossible, you can easily create a chemical reaction in your own kitchen to reverse the signs of tarnish and restore the aesthetic appeal of your jewelry items.

Start by crinkling a piece of aluminum foil and using it to line the bottom of a glass dish. Place your tarnished items in the bowl, ensuring that the silver portions of the jewelry items are in contact with the aluminum foil. Sprinkle the jewelry items with one cup of baking soda, one cup of salt, and two tablespoons of liquid dish soap.

Bring some water to a boil on the stove, and pour the boiling water into the bowl with your jewelry. You will see some bubbling and begin to smell a sulfuric odor reminiscent of rotten eggs. This indicates the chemical reaction is taking place, and you should see the tarnish begin to disappear. You can scrub your jewelry items with a toothbrush if more thorough cleaning is needed to fully remove all visible signs of tarnish.

2. Boil the grime off your gold jewelry.

Jewelry items with intricate detailing and small clasps can easily attract dirt. When dirt and grime get into the small crevices of your gold jewelry items, it can seem impossible to clean out. Fortunately, you can rely on a pot of boiling water to make restoring your gold jewelry items to their former glory simple.

Be sure that you check to see that your jewelry items are made entirely from gold. Pieces with stones that are glued in or feature delicate gemstones (like opals or moonstones) could become damaged when exposed to boiling water. Lay your solid gold items in the bottom of a large glass bowl, and bring some water to a boil on the stove. Once the water has been heated, pour enough into the bowl to completely submerge your jewelry items.

Leave the jewelry in the water until it has completely cooled. You will see the water becoming murky as dirt and grime are removed from every nook and cranny of your jewelry items during their soak.

Finding simple ways to clean your silver and gold jewelry items will help you enjoy your accessories well into the future. For more jewelry care tips, contact a company like House of Harlow.

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