Cleaning a necklace will ensure that it’s got that extra shine to it all the time. Too much dirt and dust on the chain can cause it to break. If there are any gemstones on the necklace, they will sparkle brighter once they have been cleaned as well. Special instructions will need to be followed depending on the material of the necklace.
Cleaning a Gold Necklace
Gold necklace with a pearl
A gold necklace that doesn’t have any stones on it can be washed very easily by hand.
It can be placed into warm water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid.
The chain should be rubbed lightly with fingers. A soft brush can also be used if the chain has a heavy braid to get into some of the other areas.
Ensure the brush has soft bristles to avoid scratching the chain. Toothpaste or baking soda should be avoided due to their abrasive nature.
The chain should then be thoroughly rinsed. This will remove any remaining soap off the chain. It should then be laid on a dry cloth to dry.
Avoid using a towel that has a lot of lint as the particles can be caught inside the chain.
The gold necklace can also be polished. There are polishes that you can purchase from any jewelry store. You should follow the instructions of the product and use a clean cloth to give the necklace that extra shine.
Click here to see a popular jewelry cleaning kit that includes polishing cream and cleaner.
Cleaning a Silver Necklace
Silver necklaces will tarnish as they are exposed to the air. This means they will need a little extra care than some other jewelry that you may have.
There are many different products that can be purchased to help give them some extra shine. One of these is a silver polishing cloth, which can be rubbed on the necklace with a little effort. Here’s a silver polishing cloth brand that is popular.
Silver tarnish can be removed with tarnish remover — here is one brand that works on silver and can be used to polish it.
Silver necklaces with a thick or heavily braided chain will need a little extra effort. Using a toothbrush and white toothpaste, you can scrub the entire chain.
Then rinse in warm water and dry it with a cloth. Be sure the cloth doesn’t have any lint.
Keep in mind that some toothpaste brands are more abrasive than others, and depending on the silver alloy used to make your jewelry, the paste can leave some scratches on it. If you are unwilling to risk, then use a silver polish instead.
Another option is to prepare a cleaning dip by mixing hot water with a couple of tablespoons of salt and baking soda.
Put your necklace in the dip and leave it there for several minutes until the tarnish dissolves, and then rinse the piece with water and dry it with a soft cloth.
More: Check out this rich selection of beautiful necklaces.
Cleaning a Pearl Necklace
Pearl necklaces can get scratched very easily.
Dip a soft cloth in warm water. Do not use any soap as even the mildest soap can damage an older pearl.
Use the cloth to wipe down the entire length of pearls. Avoid pressure – instead, use small dabs.
Turn the pearls over and do the same thing for the other side.
Some Other Necklace Cleaning Tips
When there are any gemstones on the necklace, use additional care. Wipe them with a damp cloth. Avoid using too much pressure to avoid loosening them from the setting.
If there is hair caught in the clasp, it can be removed in one of two ways.
The first is to use a lighter to burn away some of the knots. This will free up the strands to make it easier to remove.
You can also purchase some hair removal cream and put it on the necklace for a few minutes. Then immerse the chain in water to clean it all off.
Cleaning necklaces can also be done in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaning machine. This will use sound waves to help get a lot of the dirt off the necklace.
When these machines are used, instructions will need to be followed in detail to ensure that the wrong method isn’t used for a specific type of necklace.
Keep your necklaces lying flat or hanging straight when they’re not being worn. This will prevent the chains from getting knotted and from any unnecessary dirt settling into the chain.
