Why Clean Earrings?

Earrings come in contact with many things that can make them dirty or dull over time. Earrings can pick dirt up very quickly, from particles in the air, oil from your hair, build up from makeup products, and so much more. This is why it is vital to clean your earrings frequently to support the longevity of your favourite pieces, as well as to reduce the buildup of bacteria.  In fact, if you're not already you should clean your jewellery regularly for the same reasons.

Considerations Before You Start

It's important to know what type of material was used to make your earrings. Most metal, plastic, and hard gemstones can be safely cleaned with a warm soapy solution. Excessively hot water can weaken glues that are often used to attach embellishments, so be sure to keep water temperature to lukewarm. On the other hand, soft gemstones, like pearls and opals, should never be soaked in water. Do not attempt to clean earrings with harsh cleaners like bleach, ammonia, or powdered cleaners, or use a stiff scrubbing brush or abrasive sponge.

How should You Clean Your Earrings

Cleaning your earrings is not a difficult or time-consuming task. You can do it at home using some common household items that are safe and effective for most types of earrings.  Here are the steps to follow:

Arrange Necessary Ingredients

To clean your earrings, you will need the following ingredients:

Baking soda: This is a natural and gentle abrasive that can remove dirt, grease, and stains from your earrings. It can also neutralize any acids or odors that can cause corrosion or tarnish.

White vinegar: This is a natural and mild acid that can dissolve any mineral deposits, rust, or oxidation from your earrings. It can also disinfect and deodorize your earrings.

Dish soap: This is a mild and biodegradable detergent that can remove any oil, wax, or residue from your earrings. It can also make your earrings more shiny and smooth.

Lemon juice: This is a natural and acidic substance that can brighten and polish your earrings.     It can also remove any tarnish or discoloration from your earrings.

Salt: This is a natural and coarse substance that can scrub and exfoliate your earrings. It can also enhance the cleaning and polishing effects of the other ingredients.

Prepare Necessary Tools

To clean your earrings, you will also need the following tools:

Toothbrush: This is a soft and flexible brush that can reach and clean the hard-to-reach areas of your earrings. It can also gently loosen and remove any dirt, grime, or debris from your earrings.

Container: This is a small and shallow bowl or cup that can hold enough liquid to soak your earrings. It should be made of glass, ceramic, or plastic, as metal containers can react with the cleaning ingredients and damage your earrings.

Soft cloth: This is a clean and lint-free cloth that can dry and polish your earrings. It should be made of cotton, microfiber, or silk, as synthetic or rough fabrics can scratch or snag your earrings.

Why Should You Clean Your Earrings Often?

Wearing earrings for an extended period without proper cleaning can cause infected ear piercings.

A piercing is an open wound on the body, and exposure to infected earrings will certainly lead to an infection.

When the ear piercing is infected, it can cause swollen ear lobes, ear redness, ear pus, or pain in the ears. It is important to ensure that your earrings are always cleaned to prevent this from occurring.

Here are a few reasons why cleaning your earrings is important:

To prevent dirt buildup: Earrings are constantly covered with natural oils, hair creams, makeup items, sweat, air particles, improperly rinsed-off shampoos and soaps, and many more.  Cleaning your jewelry pieces regularly will help prevent this dirt from accumulating.

To maintain the luster: When earrings are covered with dirt and grime, their appearance becomes dull. In fact, some changes color due to chemical reactions. Ensure that you constantly keep your earrings clean so they can remain as beautiful as when you got them.

To last longer: Another importance is to ensure that your earrings last for a long time. If you don’t want to part with your favorite earrings so soon or spend money to buy another pair, you have to clean your earrings often. This will prevent them from getting rusty or weak due to accumulated dirt, grime, or grease.

To prevent bacterial infections: This is the most important reason to keep your earrings clean.

Conclusion

By following the above steps, you can easily keep your earrings clean and shiny while extending their life. Regularly clean your earrings to maintain aesthetics, hygiene, and safety. Zuanfa Jewelry's moissanite earrings, crafted with precision using 14K gold, 925 sterling silver, and certified VVS diamonds, offer stylish and affordable options.

FAQs

Q: Can I use the silver cleaning method for my silver earrings with jewels glued to them?

​A: No.  Instead, utilise a specialised jewellery cleaner that will not dissolve the glue.  And dry with a soft cloth.

​Q: Can I clean pearls with the gemstone earring cleaning method?

​A: No.  Please avoid using any harsh chemicals when it comes to cleaning pearls.  All they need is a good wipe with a damp cloth that has been soaked in a solution of warm water and mild soap.  Allow them to air dry.

​Q: Can I not just wash my earrings over the sink?

​A: No!  It’ll be an absolute tragedy if your soapy hands cause your earrings to slip out of your hands and down the drain.  Keep your precious jewellery items safe in a closed container instead.

​Q: In what circumstances should I remove my earrings?

​A: Remove your silver, gold, or gemstone earrings before you hop into bed at the end of the day.  Also, avoid wearing them when you go for a swim or in the shower.

​Q: How frequently should I clean my earrings?

​A: The ideal earring cleaning frequency is about once a week to maintain their beauty.  It sounds like a lot, but our recommended cleaning methods don’t take much time or energy at all.

​Q: Why do I need to clean my earrings so often?

​A: Cleaning your jewellery increases its longevity and reduces the chance of your piercings becoming infected.

​Q: Why have my earrings turned green?

​A: Additional metals such as zinc or copper are often a component of your sterling silver jewellery pieces.  And these metals tend to react to oxygen, oils, and sweat, which causes corrosion and that unappealing green colour.

​Q: How do I clean earrings that have turned green?

​A: Vinegar will do the trick!  Soak your earrings in vinegar for 20 minutes, give them a scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinse and dry, just like that.

​Final Thoughts

​Now you’re well and truly an expert in cleaning all things silver, gold, and gemstone.  We think it’s time for you to look at a beautiful collection of earrings you can smother with your tender, loving care.