Pieces of jewelry made of stainless steel are worn by people from all walks of life across the globe. They are attractive to both young and old people.
Why buy stainless steel jewelry?
Wondering why stainless steel jewelry is quite popular? If you have one, you must be already aware of some of the reasons. If not, here are some of the top benefits of stainless steel jewelry:
Strong and durable:
Stainless steel as a material is known for being strong and can last for long. These attributes are transferred directly to the jewelry.
Your stainless steel jewelry will retain its design for a long without warping or breaking easily like other metals.
Still, when it comes to the looks, the stainless steel jewelry is likely to retain its luster for a long. This is due to the ability of this jewelry to resist corrosion and even abrasion.
Good looks: A polished stainless steel jewelry is attractive to the eyes. You can easily confuse it with silver jewelry. Since you want a piece of jewelry that will accentuate your appearance, stainless steel will pass the bill.
Easy to clean and maintain: Being strong and resistant to corrosion means that you will have very little to worry about when it comes to the issue of stainless steel jewelry maintenance.
Resistant to rust and discoloration: Stainless steel jewelry is resistant to many factors that can affect its outlook such as rust.
Does stainless steel stain or tarnish?
When it comes to cleaning stainless steel jewelry, the first thing that will come into your mind is whether this type of metal stains or gets discolored.
The fact is your precious stainless jewelry will tarnish, get stained, and even rust as long as it is exposed to unfavorable conditions. This is why cleaning is an important aspect of maintaining the silvery look of stainless steel jewelry.
Since there are different grades of stainless steel that are used for making jewelry, you should not expect them to tarnish or even corrode at the same level. Some corrode faster than others.
Now that you know stainless steel jewelry tarnish, cleaning should be part of the mandatory activity that you must partake to maintain the luster of your stainless steel jewelry.
Stainless steel jewelry cleaning tips
You can never be proud of wearing a stained, or discolored jewelry. Is your stainless steel dirty and you would want it to make it look clean and attractive again? Whether it is dirt, dust, or even stains, here are some of the proven techniques and tips for cleaning stainless steel jewelry.
1. Using soap and water to clean stainless steel jewelry
This technique of cleaning stainless steel jewelry involves using simple solutions that are easily available.
The procedures of cleaning are:
-Heat some water until it becomes warm then fill in two bowls
-Add 3 drops of mild dish soap into the first bow of water
-Dip a section of a soft cloth into the bowl containing s soapy water
-Gently rub the cloth along the jewelry
-Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to rub any excess dirt and stain
-Once you are sure that the jewelry is clean to the required standards, dip it into the second bow that contains clean soft water so that you can rinse it.
-Wipe off the excess water using a piece of dry cloth
-Polish the jewelry item using a jewelry polishing cloth
Do not soak the jewelry item in the soapy water as this can have a negative impact on the stainless steel coating.
So, why go for expensive and sophisticated cleaning solutions when you can embrace this DIY using readily available items?
2.Clean stainless steel jewelry using baking soda and water
This is another DIY home solution that you can use to clean water. The procedures for cleaning are as follows:
-Combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1/2 tables spoon of water and mix them until it forms a thick paste.
-Deep the toothbrush into the paste. Ensure that the toothbrush has soft bristles. The toothbrush will be able to remove gunks. You can use a toothpick to remove that hidden dirt.
-Scrub the jewelry gently using the toothbrush which has the scooped paste.
-Rinse the jewelry using clean warm water
-Wipe the jewelry gently using a soft towel until it drys up.
-Polish the item using the jewelry polishing cloth
3.Using toothpaste to clean stainless steel jewelry
If it leaves your teeth sparkling clean, then it can do the same to your stainless steel jewelry. It is advisable to use a white toothpaste that does not have silica.
A toothpaste that contains a whitening agent can have a corrosive effect on the stainless steel jewelry hence defacing it.
On the other hand, a gel toothpaste is not strong enough to clean the stainless steel material.
Follow these steps to clean the jewelry:
-Deep a corner of a soft cloth in warm water so that it becomes damp
-Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste on that damp section of the cloth
-Rub the paste on your jewelry
-Squeeze the toothpaste of a soft bristle toothbrush then rub it on the jewelry
-Rinse the item using warm water and dry it gently using a towel
-Polish the jewelry using the jewelry polishing cloth
4.Use vinegar to clean stainless steel jewelry
Here is another home-based solution that can easily leave your stainless jewelry shining and glittering.
The thing about white vinegar is versatility. It is capable of cleaning all types of metals effortlessly and stainless steel is not an exception.
Vinegar is also a natural disinfectant. It can kill the bacteria that may be existing on your piece of jewelry.
To create a vinegar solution, you will need 1 cup of warm water and 1 cup of white vinegar. Mix them thoroughly then pour in a spray bottle. You will also need a soft cloth.
Spray the mixture on the piece of cloth then wipe the jewelry gently until it is clean to your satisfaction. This way, you will be able to disinfect your jewelry.
Alternatively, you can mix the ingredients in a bowl then let the jewelry item settle in the bowl for a few minutes before you wipe it using the cloth.
5.Use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean stainless steel
The importance of ultrasonic cleaner comes in when you want to do deep jewelry cleaning. This is because the technique is capable of not only removing the toughest stains but also reach all those hidden areas or nooks of the jewelry.
An ultrasonic cleaner is an ideal method for cleaning plain stainless steel jewelry-the one that does not have gemstone settings. This is due to the fact that the method is quite intense.
However, the method is safe when used for cleaning stainless steel jewelry that has diamond settings.
An ultrasonic cleaner comes with an easy-to-use manual that you will follow when cleaning your jewelry.
Normally, the cleaner will generate bubbles and waves around the piece of jewelry that you are cleaning. These bubbles will clean the item and even reach the deepest crevices where other methods were not able to reach.
With this method, you will not have to look for an expensive cleaning solution.
How to store stainless steel jewelry
No matter how good you are at cleaning stainless steel jewelry or how effective the cleaning method that you have used, all will account for nothing if you are not careful with how you store the jewelry.
A piece of well-stored stainless steel jewelry will preserve its elegant looks for as long as you want. The reverse is true if the jewelry is not stored properly.
You should store your stainless jewelry in an enclosed jewelry box where it will be protected from dust, moisture, and other destructive elements. The interior of the box should be made of a soft fabric.
Ensure that your stainless steel jewelry does not come into direct contact with other metals or even minerals such as gemstones as they can corrode it.
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Conclusion
Why should you go to a jeweler to have your stainless steel jewelry cleaned when you have these easy DIY solutions? As you can see, you don’t have to be an expert in jewelry cleaning to execute any of these solutions.
It is also common knowledge that there are commercial stainless jewelry cleaning solutions that you can use. However, you should confirm to find out whether they are safe when applied to stainless steel.
One safety tip is to check the ingredients that have been used for making the cleaning solution. You should also consider seeking advice from stainless steel jewelry experts and they will tell you whether the cleaner is safe for use.
In case your stainless steel jewelry gets scratched or corrodes, you can have it cleaned by an experienced jewelry cleaner near you.