5 Tips to Clean Men’s Jewelry

Men’s jewelry has become more popular over the years, especially as different styles allow for men’s jewelry to not only be seen more prominently, but to be a foundational piece of a man’s wardrobe. Because of this, keeping men’s jewelry clean is becoming more and more important. To keep jewelry clean, regardless of what type, whether it be something understated, the more and more popular cuban link chain, or even a nice watch, is an important part of a man’s perception. Here are some tips for cleaning men’s jewelry. 

1. The best way to clean your jewelry, is to keep your jewelry clean

Before we delve into the many ways to clean your jewelry, we need to examine the importance of keeping your jewelry clean. While there are a number of materials that your jewelry may be made of that affect its durability, there are some general day-to-day treatment tips that can help keep your jewelry clean.

First and foremost, one of the best things that you can do to keep your jewelry clean is to avoid heavily sweating on your jewelry. Working out heavily while wearing your jewelry can cause heavy sweating which may erode the metal on your jewelry, or even further coat your jewelry with sweat and grime from your skin. If you are regularly working out or engaging in heavy physical activity while wearing your jewelry, you may find it begins to lose its luster more quickly. 

Another piece of keeping jewelry clean is to avoid wearing your jewelry in outdoor activities that may get them dirty. Activities like hiking, swimming, and other outdoor sports may risk creating more spaces where you need to clean up your jewelry more heavily. 

2. Don’t Corrode!

So, we’ve looked at how to keep your jewelry clean, and the importance of doing so. Now we need to talk about what you use to clean your jewelry. The most important thing to remember is that certain acids are corrosive to different metals. Because of this, you need to make sure you are aware of a few things.

First, make sure you know what your jewelry is made of. Materials like copper are affected differently than materials like gold or silver. However, all of this can be corroded by the right acids. Do the research to find out what might risk corroding your jewelry, and make sure that you avoid its use during the cleaning process.

3. Clean Based on Necessity

Different levels of dirt will require different cleaning practices. If your jewelry has just been a little bit muddled by sweat, regular wearing and day to day life, a little bit of soap and water will do just fine. Take some time to gently wash your jewelry with a diluted soap and water mixture, using a soft brush or toothbrush, microfiber cloth, or your hands. Once it appears clean, carefully and thoroughly dry your piece. Leaving your jewelry wet can cause it to rust or corrode. 

If you are dealing with a much more dirty, or rusted piece of jewelry, your cleaning process may need to be more intensive. Once again, utilizing a toothbrush is a great way to clean trapped dirt, and layered grime. One effective acid that will not corrode your jewelry during the cleaning process is lemon juice. Mix a little bit of lemon juice with water and soaking your jewelry for a short time can help to break down any rust layers on the outside of your jewelry.

Follow this with gently cleaning your jewelry with soap and water, and once again, carefully, and fully dry your jewelry after the fact.

4. Clean Regularly

It is much more difficult to clean jewelry after it has become significantly dirty, or even rusted. Keeping a regular cleaning routine for your jewelry is a great way to ensure that you don’t have to do deeper cleaning, or even try to repair damage to the metals on your jewelry. 

Try to do a basic cleaning of jewelry (a little bit of soap and water) every few weeks, and then to dry it off, especially if you are regularly wearing your jewelry in a sweaty climate. Keeping this type of regiment that ensures no further dirt collection or damage can significantly help your care routine.

5. Don’t Overdo It

Lastly, don’t overdo cleaning your jewelry. It can be easy to over wash, scrub too hard, or—as we mentioned earlier—use corrosive cleaners on your jewelry. If your jewelry is not dirty, do not try to clean it. You may risk damaging the metal, or even scratching it. Keep a routine that matches your needs, and examine your jewelry before you clean it. In some cases, you may just need to wipe it down with a cloth to clean the oils off. If you follow these tips, your jewelry will be kept clean, shiny, and of good quality.