How Do I Clean and Care for My Earrings at Home Safely?
Here are several ways to clean earrings at home, disinfect earrings using rubbing alcohol, and how to clean gold, silver, diamonds and pearls without harming them.
Earrings are gorgeous touches to your daily aesthetic – but they’re also magnets for dirt, oil, and bacteria. And regardless of whether you wear them every day or just on special occasions, keeping your beloved kicks clean – not only for looks, but hygiene – is key.
Ways to clean earrings at home, disinfect earrings using rubbing alcohol, and how to clean gold, silver, diamonds and pearls without harming them.
Why is it important to clean your earrings regularly?
Cleaning your earrings is not only cosmetic, it’s a matter of health.
Also, dirt, sweat, natural skin oils, even shampoo can accumulate on earrings, particularly the backs and posts of earrings which are in direct contact with your pierced ears. Over time, this can lead to irritation, or even infection.
This is why it’s always important to clean your earrings, particularly if you wear them every day. Plus, clean earrings are essential for your ear piercings to heal appropriately and be healthy, particularly if you just recently started wearing a new pair of earrings or changed metals.
What do you need to clean earrings at home?
Cleaning earrings doesn’t require special instruments; you probably have everything you need at home. How you can clean the earrings at home will often depend on the type of earrings you possess, but a good general list includes:
1. Warm water
2. Dish soap or soapy water
3. A soft cloth or clean cloth
4. A small bowl or cup
5. Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide
6. Optional: baking soda or alcohol-free wipes
How to clean gold earrings without damage
The trick to cleaning gold earrings is to not be abrasive. Gold is a soft metal, and so can be scratched with abrasive scrubbing or rubbing.
A safe and effective way to do this is:
• Prepare A drop or two of dish soap mixed with warm water in a bowl.
• Soak the earrings for a few minutes, anywhere from 5-10 minutes will help loosen dirt.
• Use a soft cloth or soft toothbrush to gently scrub the earrings.
• Rinse earrings in clean water and dry thoroughly.
Do not soak gold earrings in rubbing alcohol for too long as it may dissolve fine finishes. If it’s necessary to disinfect earrings a quick swipe with a cotton pad dipped in alcohol is harmless.
How to clean silver earrings and prevent tarnish
Luna Felix Goldsmith only sells gold earrings.
Don’t clean gold earrings or earrings set with precious gems with baking soda because it will damage them. However, this is good information for everyone with silver earrings.
Silver earrings are easily oxidized, particularly if you do not keep them in a jewelry box or wear them frequently.
To clean silver earrings and restore their shine:
• Prepare a paste of baking soda and water.
• Rub it lightly onto the earrings with your fingers or a soft cloth.
• Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
Alternate method: Use foil, hot water, baking soda, and a touch of salt in a bowl. Put the earrings on the tin foil and allow them to sit for five minutes. The foil will absorb the tarnish!
Do not use hydrogen peroxide for sterling silver as it is not effective and can cause dullness over time.
How to clean diamond earrings and bring back the sparkle
Diamond earrings are most beautiful when they are shining – but those cut stones become dulled when they are slicked with lotion or oils. To clean diamond earrings:
• Submerge in a solution of warm water and dish soap for 15-20 minutes.
• Gently scrub around the diamond and setting with a soft toothbrush.
• Under warm water rinse them and place them in a clean cloth to dry.
You can also rub them on rubbing alcohol for a moment disinfection and shine. Just make sure to dry the earrings properly so they don’t get any residue.
Can you clean pearl earrings with rubbing alcohol?
Pearl earrings need special care. Pearls are soft and porous – rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and soapy water can all damage them. Instead:
• After every use wipe with a soft cloth moistened with water.
• Do not soak or use strong cleaners.
• Keep them in a separate pouch in your jewelry box.
• To clean pearl earrings, it is possible to use a very diluted baby shampoo in water and a cotton swab; just wipe and dry gently.
Cleaning earrings with rubbing alcohol
Using rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect earrings
For disinfecting earrings, rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are your besties. Both have an antibacterial effect and sanitize metal parts.
This is how to do this:
• Submerge the metal parts of the earrings into rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for about 5-10 minutes.
• Remove the earrings and set them on a clean towel.
• Ensure they are completely dry before putting them back.
Do not apply hydrogen peroxide to pearl earrings, or those made of soft stones. For a fast disinfect of gold or silver earrings, simply moisten a cotton swab with a little alcohol.
How to clean earring backs and posts
The back of your earrings tends to accumulate more buildup than you’d expect, which can lead to gunk and even infection. Here’s how to clean:
• Remove any earring backs and soak both posts and backs in soapy water.
• Use a toothbrush to dislodge gunk in the back and around the post.
• First rinse then disinfect with rubbing alcohol.
• Use a clean towel to dry everything before reassembling.
Do this regularly – it’s amazing how much fresher your pierced ears will feel with clean earring posts!
Natural methods - Can baking soda and warm water clean earrings?
Indeed!
Baking soda is a mild abrasive but works well to remove tarnish and dirt from metal earrings. Baking soda should never be used on gold earrings, or earrings with precious stones.
• Combine 1 part of baking soda to 2 parts warm water.
• This paste can be used to clean gold, silver, or diamond earrings.
• Rinse thoroughly and dry the earrings with a clean cloth.
It is particularly suited to those who prefer not to expose their bodies to harsh chemicals or for those who wish to leave their earrings in without using alcohol-based solutions. But do not do this with pearl earrings as the abrasiveness will dull the surface of the pearl.
Tips to Keep Your Earrings Clean and Safe Between Wears
Cleaning isn’t just about the washing, though, of course, it is! These are easy habits to adopt: · Take off your earrings before swimming or showering.
• Keep each pair stored in a clean, dry jewelry box or pouch.
• Clean your earrings at least once per month – more if you wear them every day.
• Always disinfect earrings after illness or sharing.
• Take care to handle earrings only while your hands are clean to avoid transferring oils and dirt.
These small steps ensure hygiene and aesthetics, allowing your favorite pairs to remain sparkling and your pierced ears to be healthy.
Knowing how to clean your earrings isn’t just a great habit – It can protect your health and keep your jewelry looking gorgeous. So, go get some rubbing alcohol, some warm water, and treat your favorite pair to a refresh!