This may come as a shock, but those gorgeous ‘favourite’ earrings you wear every day could be hiding some seriously unpleasant bacteria, grime and dirt. From dead skin to stale makeup, everyday dirt and airborne pollutants, the tiny crevices and corners of your hoops and dangles, or the constant connection between the back of your studs and your skin, could be harbouring all kinds of nasties.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the importance of cleaning earrings, including how often you should clean them, how to clean diamond earrings and precious gemstones, and how to care for your ear lobes to keep them healthy. We’ll discuss various methods for cleaning earrings, how to store them when not in use, and when it’s best to have them professionally cleaned.
From a quick wipe with a soft cloth to a soak in an ultrasonic bath, here’s our guide on how to clean earrings.
Why do my earrings get so dirty?
Your skin secretes natural oils that are essential for the health and well-being of the upper layers of your skin. The only problem is that these oils can attract microscopic particles of dust, dead skin, dirt, and airborne pollutants, which you then wash off in the shower or bath.
Because your earrings are in direct contact with your skin, some of that daily grime gets transferred onto the surface, into little nooks behind the settings, and on both the metal fixings and the gemstones themselves. It’s not a problem, though, as cleaning earrings is relatively simple.
Why should I clean them?
If you’ve wondered why that gorgeous pair of diamond studs has apparently lost their sparkle, it’s probably nothing more than a layer of dirt that’s dulled their shine. Cleaning earrings restores their original beauty, making them look like new with just a simple clean.
As well as improving the look of your earrings, regular cleaning also enhances their longevity, preventing damage such as tarnishing, decay, and scratches from detracting from the lustre of your favourite pair of dangles. Cleaning earrings also prevents skin irritation or even an infection in your earlobe, which can make wearing your studs uncomfortable or even painful.
How often should I clean earrings?
The good news is that you don’t have to do it every time you wear them, unless you notice any dirt when you take them off. For earrings you wear regularly, it’s recommended to clean them once a month. For occasional-wear earrings, especially those stored in a box (which we’ll discuss later), you can clean them every six months or so. If you’ve rediscovered a darling pair of studs that you haven’t worn for ages, it’s best to give them a clean before you put them in to avoid introducing any dust or dirt into your piercing.
Before you get started
Some types of precious and semi-precious gems, such as pearls and opals, require careful handling, and even gentle cleaning with soapy water can cause damage. You need to know what kind of metal you’re working with, the type of gemstone (if any), and even the age of the piece (as vintage jewellery can sometimes be a little more fragile than more robust modern jewellery). If you’re in any doubt, the best advice is to talk to a professional jewellery cleaner, who can give you more information on how to clean specialist pieces.
What equipment do I need when cleaning earrings?
If you’re cleaning earrings at home, you don’t need a lot of specialist equipment to get rid of everyday grime from most types of studs or drops. For most earrings, all you need are a few items you’ll find around the house, including:
Step-by-step instructions on how to clean your earrings
If you’ve ever wondered how to clean earrings, there’s really no mystery to it, and anyone can do it at home with minimal fuss.
This initial stage gently loosens any dirt, grime, old makeup or oil. There’s no need to agitate the earrings; allow them to rest in warm water for a few minutes before proceeding to the next step.
Once the earrings have soaked, pick them out of the water and gently start cleaning them with a soft brush. Pay particular attention to the back of the earring. This is where it contacts the skin and is the most likely place to find any build-up of dirt. If the setting has prongs holding a gemstone, work around these areas, getting into the corners to dislodge any dirt that may be hiding in the crevices of the prongs. If your studs have matching ‘butterfly’ connectors or push/screw connectors, be sure to clean these as well.
After giving your earrings a thorough clean, rinse them in warm water to remove any soap residue that could dull the shine of the metal or gemstone.
The more you rub your earrings, the greater the chance of scratching them. To minimise any chance of that, simply place them on a pad of absorbent tissue and allow them to air dry in the sun.
The final step in cleaning earrings is to gently polish them with a soft cloth. You can buy jewellery cloths that are specially designed to do the job, but any microfibre cloth should be sufficient. Pay particular attention to the gemstones and ensure that there are no water marks on the surface to spoil the shine.
Don’t forget your skin!
You may shower every day, but when was the last time you cleaned your earlobes? It’s a part of the body that we often overlook, but if you wear earrings, you should pay particular attention to the area around your piercing, both on the front of the earlobe and the back. Consider that you effectively have a hole running through the earlobe, and that area needs to be kept clean to avoid pushing any dirt into the piercing itself.
During the summer, it is advisable to apply sunscreen to your earlobes to prevent UV damage. Remember to remove your earrings before applying sunscreen and allow the area to dry before reinserting them.
Cleaning precious metal earrings
Precious metals such as gold, platinum and silver are remarkably robust and resilient, making them ideal for everyday wear. However, while platinum and gold do not tarnish, silver does, and may require a little extra attention to restore its sparkle. And while gold and platinum are resistant to tarnish, they’re not resistant to scratching. So you need to be gentle when handling precious metal earrings.
The best way to clean silver earrings is to apply a little science! Line a bowl with tin foil (shiny side up), add some baking soda and hot water, and pop your silver earrings into the solution. Allow them to sit for five minutes. A gentle chemical reaction between the tin foil and the baking soda can remove silver tarnish almost like magic. Then simply rinse and allow them to dry before giving them a final gentle buff with a soft cloth.
Gold and platinum earrings benefit from a simple wipe with a soft jewellery cloth after wearing. Nothing else is needed, apart from a soap-and-water clean once every so often to remove any surface grime.
How to clean diamond earrings
It’s one of the hardest substances known to man, and a girl’s best friend, but how do you clean diamond earrings? Well, before you go in with that soft toothbrush we mentioned earlier, do a vital check first to make sure your gems are firmly located in their settings.
If you discover that your diamond is loose or doesn’t feel secure, stop! Even a gentle wash could dislodge the stone completely, and you could end up losing it down the plug hole when you pour the soapy water away. If it is loose, take the earrings to a professional jeweller for repair and professional cleaning.
If everything feels good, cleaning diamond earrings is as simple as the soapy water method, with a little extra buffing with a soft cloth at the end to bring out the shine.
Cleaning high-value and exotic gemstones
While most earrings can be cleaned at home without problems, some require the gentle touch of a professional. If you have a pair of high-value earrings, your insurance provider may also require them to be cleaned and cared for by a verified professional. For your own peace of mind, always take high-value items to an experienced jeweller, gemmologist or goldsmith for care.
Some gemstones are also susceptible to moisture, including pearls (which are commonly found in earrings) and opals. These require specialist cleaning to prevent them from losing that exotic lustre or colour. While a simple wipe with a soft cloth is sufficient for everyday cleaning, deep cleaning should be performed by an expert to prevent damage to the gems.
What else can you use when cleaning earrings?
The important thing is never to use harsh or abrasive cleaners on jewellery. You may hear that toothpaste is an effective cleaner, but bear in mind that it is abrasive and will introduce micro-scratches into the surface of your jewellery, which are the perfect hiding place for dirt. So leave the toothpaste in the bathroom!
You can use a paste of baking soda and water to clean jewellery that has become dirty or tarnished; however, this is an abrasive method and not recommended for soft metals like platinum or high-carat gold.
If you have a collection of jewellery, it may be worth investing in a jewellery ultrasonic bath. This uses vibrations to dislodge dirt and can be a fantastic and gentle way to clean your earrings thoroughly. Before using an ultrasonic bath, ensure that your gemstone will not be affected by water immersion and that all stones are securely in their mountings.
Summary – Cleaning earrings is easier than you think
If you’ve never tried cleaning jewellery at home before, the advice in this article will give you the confidence and knowledge to do it successfully. You don’t need any fancy products; simple soap and water will usually suffice in most cases. However, remember that some exotic gemstones are sensitive to water immersion, so if you’re in any doubt, always consult an expert. Regular cleaning will keep your earrings looking fresh and new, no matter how often you wear them.
Cleaning earrings should be a regular part of your jewellery-care routine, whether you clean them at home or hand them over to a professional. A good clean can bring back their sparkle, as well as keep your ears and skin healthy and prevent infections.
FAQs
How often should you clean your earrings?
Once a month is fine. When you’re not wearing your earrings, keep them in a box or soft bag to keep dust and dirt from dulling the surface.
What should I avoid when cleaning my earrings?
Avoid using harsh chemicals, even those that purport to be jewellery cleaners – they may not be suitable for use with your gemstones. Avoid vigorous rubbing; instead, use gentle persuasion, patience, and care to gently dislodge dirt from the surface.
Can I clean my earrings with alcohol?
It is not advisable to use alcohol, as its harsh drying effect can damage the surface of certain gemstones, especially pearls and opals.
How can I prevent my earrings from tarnishing?
Regular cleaning should remove any tarnishing. If you wear perfume, makeup, or sunscreen, apply it first and allow it to dry (or, in the case of perfume, let the alcohol evaporate) before putting on your jewellery to avoid tarnishing.
Should I insure my earrings?
Absolutely. Insuring your precious earrings gives you the peace of mind that if they are lost, stolen, or damaged, you will not be financially out of pocket. At TH March, we’ve been offering jewellery insurance for over 130 years, and our expert brokers know exactly what kind of cover your jewellery needs. It’s affordable, it’s simple, and it protects items that your usual home contents insurance may not cover. If you have special items in your collection, we can also offer single-item cover, which is perfect for high-value items. You can find out more by browsing our jewellery insurance services page, or contact us direct for a friendly chat with one of our team today.