How to Clean Costume Jewelry With Baking Soda and Salt

Istead of buying jewelry cleaning products, read this short and instructive article to learn How to Clean Costume Jewelry with Baking Soda and Salt!

Does your imitation ornament is tarnished? Instead of using store-bought cleaners, check out How to Clean Costume Jewelry with Baking Soda and Salt below!

Learn how to clean copper jewelry here

What Is Costume Jewelry?

Costume jewelry, also known as fake, faux, false, or imitation jewelry, is made up of semi-precious or cheaper metals and ordinary stones that give the look & feel of real ornaments. This kind of jewelry is perfect for everyday use. Unlike the original ones, costume ornament does not last forever. However, by taking extra care, you can increase its life a bit.

Why Costume Jewelry Gets Tarnished?

Costume jewelry is quite beautiful and cheaper than real ones. However, over time, it gets exposed to moisture, dirt, oil, hair, and makeup residuals that react with the metal, causing a tarnished or rusted appearance. Instead of tossing them out, make them brand new again by using the below method.

How to Clean Costume Jewelry With Baking Soda and Salt?

With the combination of baking soda and salt, you can clean your soiled or rusted costume jewelry in a flash. When mixed with water, this solution starts to fizz and gives you the desired result. It works perfectly, no matter what type of imitation ornament you have.

Supplies

• 1/2 Cup of Hot Water
• 1 Tbsp of Table Salt
• A Bowl or Dish
• 1 Tbsp of Baking Soda
• A Toothbrush

Directions

1. Put the ornaments in a bowl and pour 1 tbsp of each table salt and baking soda all over them.
2. Now gradually add 1/2 cup of hot water and let it sit for 2-3 minutes.
3. Once it’s done, scrub them gently with a toothbrush to clean their nooks and crannies.
4. After that, rinse the jewelry with lots of water and dry them with a soft cloth.

Why Are Baking Soda and Salt Effective?

When baking soda and salt are mixed with water, their fusion starts a chemical reaction (fizzing), which is the sole reason behind their ability to clean tarnished and dirty costume jewelry.

Other Best Ways To Clean Costume Jewelry

If the baking soda and salt hack is not fruitful, below are some other best ways to clean costume jewelry that’ll do the trick.

• Try Lemon – Being a natural acid, lemon is an excellent tool to remove grime and tarnish from your costume jewelry. , pour lemonade into a cup and place the desired ornament into it. Leave it for 3-5 minutes, and then rub a toothbrush on the jewelry for a few seconds. Once you’re done, rinse it with water & dry it properly.
• Use White Vinegar & Water Solution – Mix 1 tbsp of each water and white vinegar in a bowl. Then, soak the costume jewelry in it for two minutes and scrub gently with a toothbrush before washing it with water. This method will clean the ornament while giving it the original shine it had!
• Dish Soap, Baking Soda, & Salt – Pour 2 tbsp of each baking soda, dawn dish soap, and salt into a bowl with 1/2 cup of water. Then, place all the dirty costume jewelry into it for 3-5 minutes. Once it’s done, rinse them with water and dry them with a soft cloth.
• Use Baby Shampoo – Restore the beauty and charm of your costume jewelry using baby shampoo. Combine one drop of each water and shampoo into a bowl. Then, apply the mixture all over the jewelry using a cotton swab and wash it with water.

Precautions

While trying the above remedies, it’s vital to take some precautions to avoid any damage.

• If the costume jewelry has gems and stones, don’t use liquid agents.
• Don’t use the above hacks on gold or silver-plated costume jewelry, as they can damage the plating.
• When you clean the costume jewelry with baking soda and salt or other hacks, dry them to avoid rusting.

How to Clean Fake Gold & Silver Jewelry?

As the above hacks are not safe for cleaning tarnished fake gold and silver-plated jewelry, you can try these methods.

1. Toothpaste

One of the best cost-effective ways to clean your gold and silver costume jewelry is toothpaste. Apply enough toothpaste on a brush and rub it gently on the ornament for a minute. Wait for a minute or two and wash with water. You can use a toothbrush to clean the nooks.

2. Mild Liquid Soap

Combine 3-5 drops of mild liquid soap in a cup of tepid water. Put the ornaments in the sudsy solution for 5-10 minutes. After that, scrub the jewelry with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Once it’s done, rinse and dry them as usual.

How to Keep Costume (Fake) Jewelry From Tarnishing?

Prevent your favorite costume jewelry from tarnishing by taking the below measures.

1. Store Properly

Storing costume jewelry in airtight ziplock bags is the best way to protect them from becoming blackened and discolored. Small silk or velvet pouches are also an excellent storage option. Proper storage is a must, as the moisture in the air can cause significant damage to your costume jewelry.

2. Keep Away From Moisture

When costume jewelry comes into contact with moisture and liquid, it tarnishes quickly. This includes body lotions, moisturizers, skin’s natural oil, moist hands, perfumes, and sweating. If you accidentally get your costume jewelry wet, wipe it off with a dry cloth immediately.

Find out how to clean gold with toothpaste here