How to Clean Stainless Steel Jewelry

Co-authored by Edward Lewand

Stainless steel jewelry is popular because it is lightweight and has a trendy look. It can last a long time and look like new if you keep it clean. It does get dirty from time to time, and when that happens, you will need to clean it. Fortunately, there are various ways in which to clean stainless steel jewelry.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Soap and Water

1
Fill two small bowls with warm water. One of the bowls will be used for washing the jewelry, while the other one will be used for rinsing it. Make sure that the bowls you are using are large enough to completely submerge the jewelry.
2
Add 2 to 3 drops of mild dish soap into the first bowl.^{[1]
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Research source} If your jewelry is particularly dirty, look for a dish soap that is labeled for fighting grease.

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3
Dip the corner of a soft, non-abrasive, lint-free cloth into the soapy water. This is a must for cleaning jewelry, especially if it has any gemstones, as it will prevent scratches.^{[2]
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Research source} Try to use a microfiber cloth; it is soft, non-abrasive, and lint-free.
4
Rub the cloth along the jewelry. Be sure to go along the grain, not across it.^{[3]
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Research source} If you rub across the grain lines, you risk scratching your jewelry.
5
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub any grime from detailed areas. Again, go with the grain, not across it. Also, be sure to use gentle pressure, and not to scrub too hard. Avoid scrubbing any gemstones, however, or you will risk scratching them.

EXPERT TIP

Edward Lewand
Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser
Edward Lewand is a Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser with over 36 years of experience in the jewelry industry. He completed his residency in graduate gemology at the G.I.A. in 1979, New York and now specializes in Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry, consultations and expert witness work. He is a Certified Appraiser of the Appraiser Association of America (AAA) and an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) of the American Society of Appraisers In Gems and Jewelry.

Edward Lewand
Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser

Did You Know? Stainless steel doesn't corrode, so you'll really only need to clean it is if you get something on it. If that happens, you can simply clean it with soap, water, and a soft brush or cloth.
6
Dip your jewelry in the second bowl of water to rinse it. Gently bob the jewelry up and down to get rid of any soap residue. If necessary, pour the dirty water out, and replace it with fresh water. Keep rinsing the jewelry until there is no soap residue left.
7
Use a dry cloth to wipe away the water.^{[4]
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Research source} Try to get as much of the water off first as possible. If you leave any water behind, you might get some water spots.
- If your jewelry has a lot of details in it, wrap it up in the cloth and wait a few minutes. This will give the cloth some time to soak up the excess water.
8
Polish the jewelry, if necessary, with jewelry polish or polishing cloth. Make sure that the polish you are using is labeled safe for stainless steel. Do not use silver polish, as it will stain your jewelry. When polishing the jewelry, make sure that you are going with the grain, and not across it.
9
Finished.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Baking Soda and Water

1
In a small bowl, combine 2 parts baking soda and 1 part water to make a paste. How much you use will depend on how big the piece you are trying to clean is. Most jewelry pieces will require 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of baking soda, and ½ tablespoon (7.5 milliliters) of water.^{[5]
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2
Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into the mixture. Aim to get just the tips of the bristles covered. You won't need a lot of the mixture to start cleaning. The toothbrush must have soft bristles, however, or you will risk scratching your jewelry. Toothbrushes meant for babies typically have the softest bristles.
3
Gently scrub your jewelry with the toothbrush. Try to go with the grain, and try not to press too hard. If you go across the grain or scrub too hard, you might scratch the jewelry. Focus on the cracks and crevices, and take care to avoid any set gemstones.
4
Plug the sink, then rinse the jewelry using warm water. You can also fill a bowl with warm water, and dip the jewelry in it until the baking soda comes off.
5
Gently pat the jewelry dry with a soft towel. If your pieces has a lot of crevices in it, such as a brooch or a necklace chain, wrap it up in the towel and let it sit for a few minutes. The towel will soak up any excess water.^{[6]
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6
Polish the jewelry, if needed, with jewelry polish or polishing cloth. Use polish that is labeled safe for stainless steel. Do not use silver polish, as it will stain your jewelry. When polishing the jewelry, make sure to go with the grain, and not across it.
7
Finished.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Toothpaste

1
Choose a plain, white toothpaste without silica.^{[7]
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Research source} Avoid using gel toothpaste, as it lacks that special cleaning powder that regular white toothpaste has. Also, make sure that the toothpaste does not contain any silica, or you will risk scratching your jewelry.
2
Dampen the corner of a soft cloth with warm water. Squeeze out any excess water. You want the cloth to be damp, and not soaking wet. Try to use a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth, such as microfiber.
3
Squeeze out a small amount of toothpaste onto the cloth. You do not need a lot—less than a pea-sized amount will be more than enough. You can always apply more toothpaste later.
4
Gently run the cloth across the surface of the jewelry. Be sure to go with the grain, and not across it. If you rub the cloth across the grain, you will risk scratching it. Also, take care to avoid any gemstones set into your jewelry; many gemstones are very soft and can be easily scratched by toothpaste.
5
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to reach detailed, intricate areas. Run the bristles under warm water, and apply more toothpaste if necessary. Gently scrub the toothpaste across the surface of the jewelry. Make sure that you are going with the grain, and not against it. Take care to avoid touching any gemstones.
6
Plug the sink, and rinse the jewelry off with warm water. If needed, rinse the toothbrush with water, then use it to clean out any residual toothpaste out of nooks and crannies.^{[8]
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7
Gently pat the jewelry dry with a soft cloth. This will prevent any water spots. If your jewelry has a lot of details in it, such as a brooch or necklace chain, gently wrap it up in the cloth and wait a few minutes before unwrapping it. This will give the soft cloth time to soak up any excess water.
8
Polish your stainless steel jewelry, if needed, with jewelry polish or polishing cloth. Make sure that the polish you use is labeled safe for stainless steel. Do not use silver polish, as it will leave stains. When polishing the jewelry, be sure to go with the grain, and not across it.
9
Finished.

Warnings

Do not use a polish that lists wax as an ingredient. It will leave a film that will dull your jewelry.

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Avoid touching any gemstones. Some of them are too fragile to be cleaned with baking soda, toothpaste, or toothbrushes.

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Do not use toothpaste that contains silica.

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Never use silver cleaner or silver polish on stainless steel jewelry. It can ruin the surface or leave behind stains.^{[14]
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