How to Clean Vintage Rhinestones

There's something timeless and special about vintage rhinestones. Many have been passed down from older generations who lovingly cared for these irreplaceable pieces of personal history. You can preserve the sparkle of these special remnants of days gone by with just a little bit of effort.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Protect your vintage rhinestones as much as possible. When not in use, store them in a protective container to prevent exposure to dust. The less you have to clean them, the better.

2. Spray a soft toothbrush, cotton swab or paper towel with window cleaner. Blot off the excess liquid and gently buff to add shine and remove light soil. If they need a deeper cleaning, proceed to the next steps.

3. Mix one to two drops of dish washing liquid in a large bowl of cold to lukewarm water. Only use a small amount of dish washing liquid.

4. Dip a soft brush in the mixture and shake it off thoroughly. The brush should be damp only. Lightly clean the rhinestone to remove dust, especially in the crevices.

5. Follow up with a cotton swap if a more thorough cleaning is necessary. Dry the rhinestones well with a soft towel. You can also use a blow dryer to ensure the rhinestones are completely dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply all lotions, perfumes and hair sprays before putting on vintage rhinestones as these can dull and possibly damage rhinestones.
• Keep vintage rhinestones as dry as possible. Never dip them in liquid of any kind as this will eventually ruin the foil backing.