How to Safely Clean Stainless Steel Jewelry (The Right Way)

 

Keeping your stainless steel jewelry looking clean is one of the best ways to maintain its original appearance. Frequent wear leads to a decrease in shine when it comes into contact with oils, lotion, sweat, and chemicals. Cleaning your jewelry regularly extends the life of any piece by removing product build-up and bacteria. Enjoy your beautiful design time and time again, knowing it looks great with minimal effort by taking care of it with a few simple steps.

 

Why Cleaning (Not Tarnish) is Key

Stainless steel is known to be tarnish-resistant, but that doesn't mean it is completely "maintenance-free." Stainless jewelry, like other jewelry, must be cleaned regularly. Removing everyday dirt, oil, and grime that dulls its shine will keep it looking pristine.

 

It is important to note that stainless steel is not 100% immune to damage and corrosion. 316L stainless steel contains chromium, which may lead to oxidation on the surface. Because of this, common household cleaners containing chlorine or bleach may permanently damage stainless steel, leading to discoloration due to its chemical composition (316L and other stainless steel are alloyed with other metals, which is a necessary step that makes it malleable and stable when it is fashioned into jewelry and other applications). Frequent contact with salt water or sweat without proper cleaning may lead to corrosion if these substances lie on the surface of stainless steel. Other acidic products containing fragrance, skincare, and haircare may dull the surface, making it harder to clean. 

 

Want to learn more about stainless steel jewelry before you purchase? Stainless steel is a high-quality, durable, hypoallergenic, and beautiful alternative to other metals. Check out our article, “Benefits of Stainless Steel Jewelry," for more information.

 

Our Commitment to Sustainable Efforts

GlamBodyCandy is committed to sustainable fashion and honoring the environment by utilizing premium materials that do not contribute unnecessary waste. Our values carefully align with preserving the planet with our pledge to donate 10% of our profits to meaningful causes. This goes hand in hand with using high-quality, recyclable materials like stainless steel.

 

Empowerment + Preservation

Empowering others through modern design brings a positive impact to society, extending beyond just jewelry and fashion. Everyday luxury does not have to come at a premium cost, either from the customer or from the planet. We want to thank you for being part of our journey toward eco-friendly fashion and conscious beauty by choosing products that serve a higher purpose as we work toward a more sustainable future, one purchase, design, and step at a time.

 

The Critical First Step: What Type of Stainless Steel Is It?

It is important to note what kind of stainless steel you have before cleaning your jewelry. This blog post is intended to outline the steps for cleaning 316L stainless steel without PVD plating, coating, or other layer over the stainless steel. Stainless steel jewelry with plating  

has different cleaning and maintenance methods compared to “bare” or plain stainless steel because of this coating.

 

What is plating? 

PVD plating is a common design application created to change the color (outer finish) of the stainless steel jewelry–frequently into a yellow gold or other variation, giving it a stunning, luxurious two-tone style, like our gorgeous Two-Tone Pavé Zirconia Heart Locket Necklace, showcasing sparkling pavé round brilliant cut cubic zirconia in a yellow gold tone heart nestled in a silver-toned pendant. 18k gold plating is commonly used as a premium gold plating, such as our contemporary Cleo Adjustable Lariat Necklace, featuring a durable chain and interlink y-necklace silhouette that is perfect for layering or wearing solo.

 

Not sure if your stainless steel jewelry is coated or not?

 Stainless steel jewelry is a “silver” color without plating. Our popular Roman Goddess Necklace is available in both “bare” and gold plating, giving you customized options for your preferred mix of metal or single metal necklace layering. Choosing from the product menu allows you to see the difference between plated jewelry and “bare” jewelry, comparing the color metal.

 

Cleaning Gold-Plated Jewelry

Do you have gold-plated jewelry and need to know how to keep it clean?  Make sure to check out our latest blog post, “Wondering how long 18k gold plated jewelry lasts? Here’s the truth” for a more in-depth look at gold plated jewelry

 

Please note: Many natural or synthetic stones are enhanced with a coating to achieve a specific color, such as mystic topaz, among others. Although mystic topaz is natural topaz, it is treated on the surface with a beautiful array of stunning blue and purple shades. This is just an example, many stones may be treated.

 

Do not submerge any color-enhanced stones in jewelry cleaner or the ultrasonic cleaner, such as emeralds and other fracture-filled or treated stones. This will cause the color to fade, crack, or break. Other multi-part designs, like our beautiful Amora Pavé Heart Stud Earrings, contain richly-toned enamel that will dry out or fade if it is submerged in chemicals or other drying agents.

 

Safe Methods for Cleaning (Non-Plated) Stainless Steel at Home

Keeping your stainless steel jewelry clean is super-easy at home. It doesn’t require expensive tools or complicated methods. Periodically taking a few minutes of your time and cleaning your favorite rings, bracelets, necklace, and more will elevate your style, keeping it fresh.

 

Method 1: Mild Soap & Water

1. Take a clean small plastic, metal, or ceramic bowl and fill it with warm tap water.

2. Add a few drops of dish soap. Marie Claire online suggests using Dawn, according to their article, How to Clean Your Jewelry, According to an Expert. Plain Dawn without citrus or other harsh dyes and perfumes is the best option.  Using soap free of dyes and harsh additives will ensure your jewelry will be free from possible damage. Always check the ingredients before submerging your jewelry in the solution.

3. Mix the few drops of soap and a warm water solution.

4. Place jewelry in a bowl with warm, soapy water. Allow it to soak for a few minutes, loosening anything that may be caked on the surface.

5. Use a soft toothbrush (new and unused) or jewelry brush to remove dirt and bacteria by gently scrubbing the surface, focusing on all the crevices. If you have an intricate design, like our Lennox Pavé Heart Bracelet, extra care and time are needed. This particular charm bracelet features multiple links, stones, and parts that require careful scrubbing and keen attention to detail around each curved cable link. Gently patting the stones down without scrubbing will reduce the scratching of the surface of the stones.

6. Let soak in the solution for 10 minutes.

7. Remove the piece from the solution and run it under cool, clean water from the faucet.

8. Gently pat dry with a soft microfiber towel.

 

METHOD 2: Baking Soda Paste

Brightening stainless steel using regular baking soda and water will enhance its shine and luster. Please note the stones, design details, or plating before using this method.

1. Use 2 teaspoons of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of water. Mix them to form a paste.

2. Apply this paste with a soft toothbrush and gently scrub the item, paying attention to the texture, crevices, prongs, and other places where bacteria build up.

3. Rinse the jewelry with clean tap water, removing the paste and debris.

4. Pat Dry

 

METHOD 3: Jewelry Cleaning Cloth

What is a jewelry cloth? A jewelry cloth is treated with nonabrasive cleaning agents and is made of very soft (microfiber) cotton flannel, offering a suitable composition of material and chemical compounds that may be used on several different types of jewelry, including pieces containing various natural, synthetic, and treated stones.  The blend of fine polishing particles and fabric provides anti-tranishing compounds that effectively remove dirt, debris, and other buildup on the metal and stones without damage. Jewelry cloths are the safest way to clean your stainless steel jewelry without scratching or drying it out, leaving a thin protective layer that adds shine because of the polymers it contains.

 

Please note: Glam Body Candy doesn’t recommend using vinegar of any kind or toothpaste for any items in our collections. These substances may be too acidic and may damage the design, metal, and stones. Using the above methods is a cost-effective, safe way to keep your jewelry clean.

 

DRYING: Prevent Damage by Correctly Drying Your Stainless Steel Jewelry

Here is why properly drying your stainless steel jewelry is an important part of the cleaning process:

1. Drying your newly cleaned jewelry and removing water droplets prevents mineral deposits or streaks left from cleaning agents (such as soap, baking soda, and water). Patting your jewelry down and leaving it in the open air in a safe spot ensures it will be spot-free as it dries before storage.

2. Water and moisture may loosen stones in their settings or damage textured finishes if the water is trapped within the stone setting or decorative details.

3. Treated stones, enamel, glued elements, and lacquered finishes can weaken, crack, and fade if they are exposed to moisture for long periods of time.

4. Moisture encourages bacterial growth, causing a reverse effect of cleaning jewelry.

 

STORAGE: How to Properly Store Stainless Steel Jewelry

Storing your stainless steel jewelry properly is one of the most effective ways to protect your keepsake jewelry, preserving its beauty.

1. Keep each piece of jewelry separate. Dedicated jewelry boxes and jewelry bags/pouches for each item prevent scratching from contact with other metals or stones.

2. Store your jewelry away from sunlight and humidity, cleaning agents, and crevices where it may fall. This ensures your pieces will not get lost, faded, or collect extra dust particles from the air and cleaning chemicals, or get misplaced.

3. Stainless steel jewelry is highly corrosion and tarnish-resistant. However, just like other durable metals and materials, exposing it to items that may scratch or corrode the finish will cause it to lose its luster and shine over time.

 

Questions About Keeping Your Stainless Steel Jewelry Clean?

We are available 24/7 via our Contact Us page and will answer any concerns you may have with your stainless steel jewelry and the finish it contains as soon as possible.

  

About the Author

Emma Zerner was born in Guelph, Ontario and raised in Gainesville, Florida. Emma has a B.S. in Retail Merchandising from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities and Graduate Gemologist (G.G), from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). In 2002, Emma began her jewelry career in retail and now creates jewelry content for global brands. In her free time, Emma has appeared on several major network reality TV shows, including MTV, BRAVO, and TLC.