Most of us have that special little jewellery box full of our favourite silver earrings, bracelets and rings. We also feel a little sad looking at them as they slowly oxidise over time, losing their once bright sparkle. That’s when they usually stay in the box forever, looking old and unwearable, until now.
Helpling.ae, the leading online platform for household services in the Middle East, has compiled some expert tips to bring your favourite jewellery back to its original sparkle. The best bit? You don’t even have to waste money buying expensive cleaning products, because you probably have most of the tools needed already in your kitchen cupboards.
1. Lemons
First up. Lemon. This clever fruit has a multitude of uses. Not only great in salads and juices, this little gem cleans your jewellery too. In other words, you can never have enough lemons in your fruit bowl. Start by simply adding a few drops of lemon juice to ½ a cup of water. Using a toothbrush, dip it into the juice and gradually start scrubbing away the oxidised parts of your jewellery to reveal a beautifully new looking piece of silver.
2. Baking soda
Baking soda is another winning ingredient you will most likely find in your cupboard. To get started, mix a ¼ cup of baking soda with two tablespoons of water. Use a soft piece of material or cloth, dip it in the solution and start polishing the silverware, rubbing gently. When you have gone over all the dirty areas, run it under cold water and gently rinse off the solution. Then use a bit of kitchen paper to pat the jewellery dry.
3.Toothpaste
Grab an old toothbrush, put a little bit of toothpaste on your jewellery piece and using the brush, softly scrub away the dirty areas. To bring back its full shine, just run a slightly wet cloth over the silver piece, removing any residual toothpaste.
4. White vinegar
Get a cup and fill it half with water and half with white vinegar, mixing it well. Submerge your silverware into the solution and let it soak for about two hours. Then take your items out of the cup and run them under the tap to rinse off. Then pat dry with a little kitchen paper.