When you scroll through TikTok or Instagram, you may come across a range of fascinating jewellery cleaning hacks using common household items like dish soap, toothpaste, and even tomato sauce! You may wonder which hacks actually work, and which ones could end up causing more harm than good.
As a diamond expert at Shiels, I've been in the industry for a number of years and have witnessed all sorts of techniques for cleaning jewellery. I've decided to put these TikTok viral cleaning hacks to the test and give you the lowdown on what to use and what to avoid.
Table of Contents
- 9) Soda — Debunked.
- 8) Tomato Sauce — Debunked.
- 7) Saltwater — Debunked.
- 6) Toothpaste — Debunked.
- 5) Lemon Juice — Debunked.
- 4) Vinegar — Recommended with Caution.
- 3) Baking Soda, Aluminum Foil, and Hot Water — Recommended with Caution.
- 2) Dish Soap — Recommended.
- 1) Ultrasonic Cleaner — Recommended.
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9) Soda — Debunked.
Soda water has surfaced as a major social media hack. However, after testing, I would say a big no to using it. The sugars and acids in soda can leave residue on your jewellery, potentially causing more harm than good! While soda can clean certain metals like copper, it can be damaging for most jewellery metals and gemstones. Additionally, that sticky residue can attract more grime.
8) Tomato Sauce — Debunked.
You heard that right — tomato sauce is suggested to be a cleaning agent for jewellery, gaining significant attention on TikTok with 179,880 views. Like soap, tomato sauce can clean copper and remove its tarnish, but its acidic properties can damage most metals and gemstones if used for prolonged periods.
7) Saltwater — Debunked.
Saltwater is another jewellery cleaning hack dominating TikTok with over 180,000 views. Sorry to burst your bubble, but saltwater offers minimal benefits for cleaning jewellery and can actually tarnish metals. Saltwater is also a big no for cleaning natural and lab-grown diamonds, as it can corrode the metal settings.
6) Toothpaste — Debunked.
Easily accessible and non-toxic, toothpaste has emerged from the depths of the internet as a viral choice for cleaning jewellery. While toothpaste is effective for removing grime from the surface of metals, its abrasive agents can cause micro-scratches and diminish the jewellery's brilliance.
Toothpaste is particularly damaging for natural and lab-grown diamond jewellery, as it can scratch their surfaces and reduce their shine. Due to this, I'd say to keep your jewellery away from toothpaste.
5) Lemon Juice — Debunked.
Lemon juice is a popular viral jewellery cleaning hack, with over 1.8 million views on TikTok. However, the effectiveness of lemon juice does not meet our expectations. Lemon juice can be used to clean tarnish from brass and copper jewellery. However, its acidic properties can cause damage to your jewellery, such as discolouration and weakening. If you want to maintain the original shine of your jewellery for longer, it is suggested that you avoid using lemon juice. Lemon juice is also harsh on soft gemstones like pearls and turquoise.
Be aware with using this hack on your precious gemstones, as the acidity of lemon juice can negatively affect the appearance of diamond jewellery - whether they're lab-grown or natural.
4) Vinegar — Recommended with Caution.
Everyone knows that vinegar is the go-to when it comes to DIY cleaning solutions. Vinegar is also useful for removing tarnish from some metals. However, like most of the hacks on this list, the acidic nature of vinegar can damage gemstones, and prolonged exposure can weaken the metal settings.
I'd recommend using vinegar sparingly on the metal parts of the jewellery and avoid all contact with gemstones, including lab-grown diamonds. Be careful with the amount of vinegar you use, as soaking your jewellery in vinegar for an extended amount of time can have lasting negative impact.
Make sure to rinse your jewellery post using vinegar to remove any acidic residue.
3) Baking Soda, Aluminum Foil, and Hot Water — Recommended with Caution.
The second-biggest jewellery hack on this list with a combined 10 million views globally on TikTok, baking soda seems to be a preferable cleaning alternative for viewers. The viral hack involves placing your jewellery pieces in a bowl filled with hot water and a teaspoon of baking soda. While it's effective for silver jewellery, it’s not suitable for other types like gemstones and plated metal. This method can be abrasive and scratch finishes, so use it sparingly and avoid using it on delicate or porous stones. For diamond pieces, including lab-grown diamonds, I’d suggest sticking to gentler solutions.
2) Dish Soap — Recommended.
One of the most easily accessible items, and a popular TikTok hack, dish soap removes everyday grime and grease from your lovely accessories. A bonus: it is also safe on diamonds! However, the mild detergent is not as effective for removing heavy tarnish or grime. If you try this hack, I'd suggest opting for a soft brush such as a toothbrush to avoid scratches when scrubbing. Avoid using hot water as this can damage for gemstones; try warm water instead! Make sure to rinse off the soap thoroughly to avoid build-up and dry your jewellery with a soft cloth.
For the lab-grown diamond lovers out there, this hack is great! Regular gentle cleaning using dish soap and warm water is not only safe and effective, but it will keep your diamonds sparkling without removing their brilliance.
1) Ultrasonic Cleaner — Recommended.
The ultrasonic cleaner is hands down my top recommendation! With over 40 million views on TikTok, this hack is popular for a reason. An ultrasonic cleaner is excellent for thoroughly removing dirt and grime from jewellery, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
Just make sure that you purchase an ultrasonic cleaner that is specifically designed for jewellery. While this cleaning solution is an absolute charm on most jewellery (especially for natural and lab-grown diamond pieces), I suggest that you avoid using this method for finer items with delicate settings or non-diamond gemstones like emeralds or opals. If in doubt, consult with a professional.
Ultrasonic cleaners may come with a higher price tag, but they're definitely worth the investment if you want to maintain the quality of your cherished jewellery pieces.
Check out Shiels' cleaning products below for guaranteed spotless jewellery!
Connoisseur Liquid Jewellery Cleaner
$29.95
Give your jewellery the sparkle it deserves with this brilliant liquid jewellery cleaner, by Connoisseur.… read more
Ashley Mill Silver Jewellery Cleaning Cloth
$12.95
Keep your jewellery in pristine condition with a Ashley Mill silver cleaning cloth. Cleans, polishes and gives a long lasting shine, making it an essential purchase it for every jewellery purchase.… read more
So, there you have it! That was my expert breakdown of the most popular jewellery-cleaning hacks out there. Now that you know what's effective and what can do more damage, it's time to get your jewellery collection looking spotless!
