Is vinegar good for cleaning jewelry? Well, the short answer is yes. Vinegar is good for cleaning jewelry. It is a versatile multipurpose household item that can freshen up the look of your old and well-worn jewelry.
Whether you want to clean your gold, silver, diamonds, stainless steel, or vintage jewelry, this natural cleaning solution always comes in handy.
The acidic properties of vinegar can remove grime, dirt, and build-up on your jewelry, especially gold and diamonds. However, it’s critical to be cautious when cleaning jewelry with vinegar as it can damage particular types of gold and gemstones.
Find out how a simple, cheap solution like vinegar can bring back the eye-catching glitter of your favorite jewelry pieces.
Is Vinegar Good for Cleaning Jewelry Made of Gold?
Gold jewelry is everyone’s fashion statement because of its timelessness and ability to be paired with almost any outfit. After years of wearing them, they can become worn looking, but the good news is they can look new again with one common household item: vinegar.
So, if you were wondering whether vinegar will clean gold, you’ve finally got your answer. Due to the acid content of vinegar, the solution will clean and make gold shine. Vinegar is an efficient cleaning tool for gold because it can break down grime, oil, and dirt.
To clean gold with vinegar, follow these simple steps:
Things you’ll need:
- 1 cup vinegar
- Bowl
- Old, clean toothbrush
- Water
Instructions
1. Pour vinegar into a clean bowl.
2. Put the jewelry inside the bowl of vinegar and leave it for a few minutes.
3. Shake the jewelry while inside the bowl.
4. Scrub the jewelry using a soft, clean toothbrush.
5. Rinse the jewelry with cold water and dry it.
Click here to learn how to clean gold with baking soda.
Is Vinegar Good for Cleaning Jewelry Made of Silver?
Silver is a beautiful accessory to be part of one’s jewelry collection. However, like other jewelry, it can oxidize, tarnish, and get dirty. Once old and dirty looking, they may be stored and forgotten about.
But you can avoid doing this and use vinegar to clean your silver. Yes, vinegar cleans silver! Again, vinegar is an excellent solution for any type of jewelry due to its acid properties.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning jewelry silver with vinegar.
Things you’ll need:
- 1 cup vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- Water
Instructions:
1. Add vinegar to a clean bowl.
2. Soak your silver jewelry in the bowl.
3. For a deeper clean, you can add baking soda. Leave the jewelry with the mixture overnight.
4. Rinse with water and dry the jewelry.
Can Vinegar Clean Fake Jewelry?
Fake or costume jewelry is beautiful to wear, even if not made from luxurious materials. But keeping it clean and pretty can be daunting.
It tarnishes from air, water, and exposure to lotions and creams. Thankfully, vinegar can clean fake jewelry. In fact, vinegar cleans stainless-steel jewelry, too.
If you want to keep your fake jewelry clean, follow these instructions.
Things you’ll need:
- 1 cup vinegar
- Clean bowl
- Water
Instructions:
1. Add vinegar to a clean bowl.
2. Put the fake jewelry inside the bowl.
3. Use vinegar to clean it.
4. Rinse with water and dry the jewelry.
Can Vinegar Damage Diamonds?
Is vinegar good for cleaning jewelry? Generally, yes, but it is not recommendable to use on soft stones and plated jewelry. Vinegar is highly acidic; soaking jewelry in vinegar removes your accessories’ shine and finish.
However, if you ask whether vinegar damages diamonds, the answer is no. It is very safe to use vinegar to clean diamonds.
The solution will never etch nor damage diamonds. However, don’t soak it for long periods because it may dull the sparkle of your diamonds.
Some popular jewelry cleaners you should not use to clean diamonds include harsh chemicals like bleach, chlorine, toothpaste, and baking soda.
How to Clean Jewelry So It Sparkles Longer?
It’s normal for jewelry to lose its sparkle, especially when it gets old, is used regularly, or sits in the jewelry box too long. However, there’s a remedy to keep your jewelry shining, shimmering, and splendid – and, of course, it involves using vinegar.
Things you’ll need:
- 1 cup vinegar
- Clean bowl
- Soft bristled toothbrush
- Water
Instructions
1. Pour vinegar into a clean bowl.
2. Drop the jewelry in the bowl of vinegar and leave it for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Remove and scrub the jewelry using a clean, soft-bristled toothbrush.
4. Rinse the jewelry with water and dry it.
How to Clean Vintage Jewelry with Vinegar?
Vintage jewelry is expensive. It’s essential to keep it in good condition to retain its value and restore its history for generations to come.
Some vintage collectors go to professional jewelry cleaners to keep their jewelry clean. However, did you know that you can use vinegar as a vintage jewelry cleaner?
But how do you clean vintage jewelry? Well, it’s super easy with these steps:
Things you’ll need:
- 1 cup vinegar
- Warm water
- Clean toothbrush
- Bowl
- Mild dish soap (optional)
Instructions:
1. Rinse vintage jewelry with warm water.
2. Use a clean toothbrush to scrub and dislodge any dirt.
3. Soak it in a bowl of vinegar for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. For deep cleaning, use mild dish soap and wipe in on the jewelry. Leave it for a few minutes.
5. Rinse with water and dry.
Can Vinegar Make Your Gold Jewelry Gleam Like New?
Vinegar is so acidic that it can make your gold jewelry sparkle as if you recently bought it. Its level of acidity is strong enough to remove dirt and grime and even kill bacteria. Most importantly, vinegar is a colorless cleaning agent, making it safe to clean jewelry as it won’t stain them.
Vinegar likewise contains 5% acidity like the ingredients used in most commercial multipurpose cleaners. If you don’t want the pungent smell of vinegar, you can use apple cider vinegar instead. Apple cider vinegar is also effective as vinegar when it comes to cleaning and making gold gleaming like new.
Why Is It Important to Clean Jewelry At Home?
Jewelry is expensive. And when it comes to maintaining its beauty, it can be costly if you have it done at a jewelry shop. That’s why it is logical to clean your jewelry at home.
In this way, you can keep its beauty and value at a fraction of the cost at a jewelry store. Regularly cleaning your jewelry, whether real or fake, can prevent tarnish and discoloration.
Here are the other reasons why you should clean your jewelry at home.
Extend Your Jewelry’s Life
Jewelry is prone to wear and tear. But cleaning them regularly will extend the life of your jewelry. For regular cleaning, you can use a clean microfiber cloth to remove dirt and debris that may cause damage to your jewelry.
Restore Its Shine
Keep jewelry polished to help restore its original shine. It can also help prevent discoloration caused by sweat and body oil.
Peace of Mind
Cleaning them at home is cheap and easy and gives you peace of mind.
Conclusion
We hope we have answered your question, “Can you clean jewelry with vinegar.” Again, you can clean almost any type of jewelry with vinegar.
Vinegar is cheap, safe, and efficient. You probably already have some in your house now. But if you don’t, you can easily purchase some at an affordable price in a store near you.
Don’t let dirt, oil, and grime dull your jewelry; follow our guide to make them good and new.
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If you want to learn more about cleaning jewelry with vinegar, check out our article – Does White Vinegar Clean Jewelry?
