How to Clean Celluloid Jewelry

During the 1920s, colorful bead strands were often made of celluloid.

First developed in England in the 1850s, celluloid became a popular material for jewelry making in the early 1900s. While celluloid is thought of as an early form of plastic, it is in fact derived from natural plant fibers. However, it is far more fragile than its predecessors, Bakelite and plastic, both synthetic-based, hardier materials that replaced celluloid in jewelry making after the 1940s. Because of its brittle nature, celluloid is easily damaged and broken. It's also vulnerable to moisture, so owners of celluloid jewelry must take particular care in cleaning and wearing it.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton-tipped swabs
• 2 soft cloths
• Water
• Mild liquid soap

Instructions

1. 

   Cellulloid was once a popular material for bangle and cuff bracelets.

   Dampen a soft cleaning cloth with water, then wring it out thoroughly so that all the excess moisture is removed. Hang the cloth up to air out for several minutes, until it is damp, rather than soaking wet.

2. Apply the damp cloth to the piece of celluloid jewelry, rubbing sparingly and gently over the entire piece. For areas of greater soiling, apply very small amounts of mild liquid soap, then completely remove the soap with the damp cloth.

3. Apply a lightly moistened cotton-tipped swab to small areas that the cloth can't reach, such as design carvings and edges. Use a small amount of mild liquid soap for soiled areas, applying it with the tip of the swab.

4. Dry the entire piece thoroughly using another soft cloth. Use a dry cotton swab to get into small areas, and make sure that fasteners, cords and any non-celluloid parts of the piece are also dry. Leave the piece out in a safe place to further air-dry before wearing it.

Tips & Warnings

• When purchasing vintage celluloid jewelry, look for pieces that are clean and undamaged, as cleaning and repairing celluloid is particularly difficult because of its fragility.

• Store celluloid jewelry in a dry place away from direct sunlight when you're not wearing it.

• Never use chemical solutions, such as nail polish remover or other polishing liquids, on celluloid, as these will cause it to disintegrate.

• Celluloid is highly flammable, so don't expose it to high heat or open flames; this may cause it to ignite.

• Celluloid jewelry shouldn't be worn every day, as this will cause too much wear to the material, so enjoy it occasionally.

References

• LeiGifts Vintage Jewelry For Romantics: Bakelite, Lucite, Celluloid and Catalin Information, History, Identification
• Michelle's Vintage Jewelry: How to Clean Costume Jewelry
• eBay: Vintage Jewelry Buying Guide