How To Clean Bracelets? A Complete Guide
Bracelets are beautiful accessories to adorn the wrists. They come in diverse styles and materials. Each captures a unique design and trend. Regular usage leads to the accumulation of dust, sweat and other types of dirt on bracelets. This may hamper its shine and appearance. But fret not, you can make your bracelets shine like new ones in a few easy steps. Cleaning bracelets is easier than it seems and can give them new life. Whether its your grandma’s legacy bracelet that you want to wear or your old bracelet, our complete guide on how to clean bracelets is here to save you.
Why Bracelets Get Dirty Over Time?
Regularly wearing bracelets leads to the accumulation of our sweat, dead skin and dirt in various parts of the bracelets. Silver bracelets often lose their shine due to the typical characteristic of silver as a metal. This dirt gets deposited in corners or other resting spaces in bracelets. As a result, the bracelets start looking old, worn out and brown from certain areas. Cleaning bracelets helps get rid of this dirt and offers a new-like shine.
What to Check Before Cleaning Any Bracelet?
Make sure to check the following before cleaning any imitation or real bracelet:
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The material of the bracelet - Every material comes with its own cleaning guidelines. Hence, it is important to check all the materials used in making of that particular bracelet. For example, you can not blindly follow the cleaning steps of a gold bracelet if it also has some enamel work.
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Stringing of the stones, charms or any loose components - Watch out for any gemstones coming out or unsecure charms as they might fall off in the cleaning process. Also check for the stringing in case of gemstone beads bracelets. Improper stringing might break in the cleaning process leading to falling off of crystals and gems.
Tools and Supplies Needed
- Soft cleaning cloth
- Bowl
- Warm water
- Baby dishwashing liquid
- Cotton pads
- Soft brush
How to Clean Gold Bracelets?
Gold is one of the easiest metals to clean. Take the gold bracelet and wipe it with a cotton pad. Then add baby dishwashing soap in a bowl of luke warm water. Gently dip the bracelet in water and then rub with cotton pad. Next, use a soft brush to scrap off any dirt in corners. Now clean the bracelet in another bowl of luke warm water and wipe dry. There you go, your gold bracelet is ready to shine again.
How to Clean Sterling Silver Bracelets?
Silver bracelets are more tricky to clean than gold bracelets. They also tarnish unless there is rhodium polish on it. For silver bracelets with rhodium polish, you can follow the same steps as gold bracelets. However, use a silver polishing cloth for the bracelets without rhodium polish. Gently wipe the silver areas with the polishing cloth and it will be as clean as a new one. Don’t forget to check for any dirt or rough particles on the polishing cloth as that might scratch silver bracelet.
How to Clean Beaded and Gemstone Bracelets?
Crystal beads bracelets and gemstone bracelets are colorful marvels that are popular for aesthetic and healing purposes. The healing properties require them to be worn daily. This might make them dirty sooner than other bracelets. But cleaning them is quite simple. All you need to do is dip them in a mix of luke warm water and baby soaps. Gently rub with a soft cotton pad and then wash away the soap with cold water. Pat dry with a muslin cloth and there you go, your gemstone bracelet is ready to adorn your wrist again.
Pro Tip For Cleaning Gemstone Bracelets
Check for the string material before dipping it in water. Avoid dipping in water, if it is just a cotton thread or leather. Simply wipe the gemstone beads with a wet cloth.
How to Clean Charm and Chain Bracelets?
Chain bracelets and charm bracelets might take more time to clean due to their intrinsic details. Take some time out as this process can feel meditative. Dip the chain bracelet in luke warm water and leave it there for 1-3 mins. Now use a gentle brush to scrap off dirt from the insides and corners of the bracelets. Don’t overdo it with the brush as it might loosen the links or leave scratch marks.
How to Clean String and Fabric Bracelets?
Fabric and string bracelets are more fragile than other types of bracelets so extra care is must. At the same time, fabric bracelets also get more dirty than other ones, leaving one in a tricky spot. A simple solution to clean fabric bracelet is to dip it in water with some baking soda. Take it out, pat dry and let it dry completely.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Bracelets
- Using harsh chemicals to clean
- Adding a strong soap
- Using sanitizer on the bracelet
- Scrubbing too hard
- Not understanding material properties
- Cleaning with a rough cloth
- Not drying it properly
- Using excessive pressure to clean delicate parts
How Often Should You Clean Your Bracelets?
Cleaning frequency should be dependent on bracelet time and how dirty it is. Crystal and gemstone bracelets that are worn daily should be cleaned once every month at least. On the other hand, gold or silver bracelets that are worn once every now and then can go for an year without cleaning.
Concluding Thoughts
Cleaning the bracelets shouldn’t require spending hefty loads on machines or outside agencies. You can easily clean most bracelets at home in a few simple steps. For example, gold or gemstone bracelets are easy to clean with just water and mild soap. For silver bracelets, silver polishing cloth works very well. Most fabric bracelets can be cleaned with just baking soda and water. It is important to understand the material properties and using gentle materials and pressure to clean bracelets. This ensure the bracelets remain new-like year after year.
