How to Clean Fake Jewelry

Fake jewelry can be stunning, even though it’s not made from precious stones. However, keeping it looking attractive is no easy task. These items tend to wear down more easily than genuine jewelry. Fake jewelry can tarnish due to water, air, and even cosmetics. Therefore, learning how to maintain fake jewelry at its best is essential, especially if you want to wear it for an extended period.

Prepare the jewelry that needs cleaning. There are no specific rules on how often jewelry should be cleaned. Generally, the more frequently you wear it, the more often it needs cleaning. You should clean your jewelry every few months or when you notice it starting to tarnish.

• Remember, fake jewelry is not real gold or silver and does not contain precious stones. While even high-quality silver can tarnish, you shouldn’t clean it the same way as fake jewelry. Real "gold" doesn’t tarnish at all.
• If you're unsure whether your jewelry is real or fake, note that gold-plated or silver-plated items are still considered "real". They are made with a thin layer of real gold or silver, so they can be cleaned using regular jewelry cleaning products, unlike the methods discussed in this article.
• If you’re uncertain whether your jewelry is real or fake, ask the jeweler to check the metal and stones for you.

Inspect the jewelry. Check to see if the jewelry has stones. If so, be mindful of the amount of liquid that gets around the stones.

• Liquid can seep underneath the stones and loosen the adhesive, causing the stones to fall out. Additionally, using too much water can damage the silver base layer, which is often used to make fake stones shine.
• Be careful not to let water pool around the stones to keep the adhesive intact.

Try using a cotton swab or toothbrush to clean the jewelry. These common household items are excellent for cleaning tight spaces or around stones. You can also try using a Magic Eraser sponge.

• Your cotton swab will collect dirt as you clean, so it will get quite dirty after use.
• Ensure that your toothbrush is new and hasn’t been used before. You don’t want any leftover debris from a used toothbrush to get onto your jewelry. Of course, you’ll also want to dispose of the toothbrush afterward.
• Use a dry toothbrush with soft bristles or a cotton swab to scrub away copper tarnish. Copper tarnish is a greenish layer that forms on some fake jewelry. A dry cotton swab or toothbrush can be very effective at removing this tarnish. If it still doesn’t come off, you might want to try a toothpick.

Try using lemon juice to clean fake jewelry. Lemon has long been used to remove the oxidation layer that forms on metals over time. You can also add a little baking soda to the lemon juice.

• Lemon is a natural acid, and rubbing half a lemon on your jewelry can help speed up the cleaning process. You can soak silver jewelry in a cup of lemon juice with a little baking soda overnight. Lemon is especially effective when used to clean silver jewelry.
• You can squeeze lemon juice onto a small dish, then dip a cloth into the juice to rub it onto the jewelry, followed by scrubbing with a rough cloth (or green scouring pad).

Try using a vinegar and water solution. Soak the jewelry in the solution, then use a soft toothbrush to clean the corners and crevices.

• Cleaning fake jewelry with vinegar can help it shine. A soft toothbrush is effective if the jewelry has stones, as it can clean the gaps. You can also dip a sponge in vinegar to clean the jewelry.
• Another natural product you can use to clean jewelry is olive oil. Olive oil will add shine, but make sure to wash off the oil from the jewelry. You can also dissolve a cleaning tablet in water, then soak the jewelry for a while and gently scrub it with a toothbrush.

Try using hand soap and warm water. This method not only improves the appearance of the jewelry but also leaves a pleasant fragrance. However, use as little water as possible and avoid soaking the jewelry too long. Water can cause jewelry to tarnish or rust if soaked for too long.

• Gently wipe the jewelry with a cloth. Typically, you should not soak fake jewelry in water for long periods, as this can damage its beauty or even ruin it. This method can be effective for gold jewelry with stones.
• You can also mix a drop of dishwashing liquid with warm water and use a children's toothbrush to clean the jewelry. Be sure to dry it thoroughly, ensuring no liquid or water remains on the surface.
• If there’s rust on chains, bracelets, rings, or other fashion jewelry, you'll need to take additional steps to clean the rust as soon as possible to minimize damage.

Use baby shampoo to clean jewelry. Baby shampoo is usually gentler and perfect for cleaning fake jewelry. It is also effective for cleaning pearls.

• Mix a drop of baby shampoo with a drop of water. Use a soft toothbrush or cotton swab to clean hard-to-reach spots. Stir the mixture until it reaches a thick, soup-like consistency. Add a few drops of water if the mixture is too thick.
• Rinse the jewelry quickly with cold water and dry it with a soft, clean hand towel or microfiber cloth.

Use lens cleaning solution or toothpaste. There are many different cleaning products at home that can be used to clean fake jewelry. Lens cleaning solutions and toothpaste can be effective in cleaning some fake jewelry.

• However, you need to be very careful! Read the instructions and warnings on the packaging. Don’t use lens cleaning solutions on precious metals, and note that coatings or polishes can be removed. Also, don’t use them if you have sensitive skin or for cleaning earrings.
• Toothpaste typically doesn’t cause many issues when used for cleaning jewelry. Just apply a small amount of toothpaste onto a toothbrush and scrub the jewelry. This method can be used on many types of fake jewelry, such as bracelets.

Buy a polish product specifically for jewelry. Fake metals or metals with impurities will quickly lose their appeal if not treated with the proper polish.

• You can purchase gold or silver polish products at jewelry stores or shopping centers. Keep in mind that some common jewelry cleaning products, mainly intended for real materials, can be too harsh for fake jewelry.
• Simply soak the jewelry in the polish for no more than 30 seconds, then remove and gently wipe it to avoid scratching or distorting the piece. You can also use a toothbrush to clean the jewelry after soaking it in the solution.

Buy a bottle of rubbing alcohol from a pharmacy or supermarket. Pour the alcohol into a small bowl and soak the jewelry in it for about half an hour.

• Once soaking is complete, remove the jewelry and wipe off the alcohol. Allow the jewelry to air dry for about 15 minutes.
• If there are still any spots left, you can use a wet alcohol wipe to clean the areas or repeat the process. You can also soak earrings in hydrogen peroxide for at least 2 to 3 minutes. If you see bubbles or fizzing, it means the earrings are quite dirty, and you may need to soak them longer.
• If it seems like the surface coating is wearing off more than the green rust, stop immediately. You might be scrubbing too aggressively. Be gentle to avoid damaging the surface coating.

Rinse the jewelry with water. After applying the mixture and cleaning the jewelry, rinse it immediately with cold water. Just rinse to ensure no soap mixture remains on the jewelry.

• Use a blow dryer to dry the jewelry. Right after rinsing the jewelry, place it on a towel to absorb the excess water. Then, blot dry the remaining water. Afterward, set the blow dryer on a cool setting and quickly dry the jewelry.
• Move the blow dryer around the jewelry to ensure the air circulates evenly. Jewelry tends to rust less and leaves fewer water stains if it dries quickly. Continue drying with the blow dryer until completely dry.
• Avoid placing the blow dryer directly over the stones for long periods, especially when using a warmer setting. The heat from the dryer could melt the adhesive holding the stones.

Spray perfume, hair styling products, and apply skincare products before wearing jewelry. Water-based products can tarnish jewelry, and perfume and skincare products are no exception.

• If you apply perfume and skincare before putting on jewelry, these products will be less likely to stick to your jewelry. Wait for the products to dry on your skin before wearing costume jewelry.
• This will prevent buildup on the jewelry that can cause it to lose its shine and require more frequent cleaning.

Clean your jewelry daily. Wiping your jewelry with a clean microfiber cloth after each use will reduce the need for frequent cleaning.

• Your jewelry will continue to look brand new for a longer period of time.
• Cleaning daily also limits exposure to water and helps remove any dirt or oils that might accumulate while wearing it.

Store jewelry properly. Consider keeping your jewelry in zippered plastic bags. Store each type of jewelry in a separate bag. After placing the jewelry inside, press out all the air before sealing the bag.

• With the air removed, the metal won't oxidize or turn green from exposure to air. This way, your jewelry will stay looking cleaner and newer for a longer time.
• Storing jewelry in a box with a velvet lining can also minimize exposure to air and prevent scratches.