How to Clean Silver or Costume Jewelry Quickly Without Harsh Chemicals

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By AuntieAndrea
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I once bought a jewelry cleaning kit where you dip your jewelry in a jar filled with liquid cleaner. The cleaning kit wasn't cheap. In less than a year the liquid had gone moldy and I threw it out. What a waste of money! With this simple how to, you'll never need to buy harsh chemicals to clean your silver or costume jewelry again.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

toothpaste (tartar control and/or baking soda toothpaste work best)
an old clean rag
your tarnished or dirty silver or costume jewelry

Step 1

Close the drain in your sink, you don't want to drop your jewelry down there. Apply a dime size amount of toothpaste to the old washcloth.
Step 2

In one hand hold the washcloth, the other hand hold your jewelry. Gently rub the toothpaste onto the jewelry.
Step 3

Using a clean part of the washcloth rub the toothpaste off the jewelry. You'll see a bunch of tarnish come off the jewelry.
Step 4

Wet a clean part of the washcloth and wipe off any remaining toothpaste; buff to a shine. Your jewelry should be clean now. If it's not repeat.

Tips & Warnings

I clean gold and jems by just lathering them up in my hands with some mild hand soap like dial, rinsing, then carefully and gently buffing with a cloth for shine (be careful not to snag a prong!)Keep in mind most jewelry stores will clean your gold pieces for free if you bought them there, especially rings.
You may want to spotcheck with the toothpaste on your jewelry first before rubbing it all over, especially if it is a delicate piece or antique. I have heard that this method may possibly leave small scratches on your items. I've NEVER had this happen to me though and I clean my silver and costume jewelry like this all the time. I mean, you use toothpaste on your teeth, it's not that abrasive.
Don't use toothpaste on gold or jems. Gold doesn't tarnish it just gets dirty.

Comments

rdeedy said

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on 7/23/2009 thanks, it's always a good thing to save money ;^)

almommabear said

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on 12/31/2008 What a great idea!!! Thank you!

staysik said

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on 12/19/2008 This is really cool, thanks for the tips. My silver polish dried up, and I have some seriously tarnished necklaces and bracelets that I need for the holidays!!