Find out how to clean rings with this homemade jewelry cleaner. It's only 3 items, easy to do and cheaper than jewelry cleaner in the stores!
Homemade Jewelry Cleaner – Just 3 Ingredients Needed!
Lately my rings have looked horrible (okay, my one set of rings . . . I've never worn anything other than my wedding and engagement ring!), and I was determined to come up with a way to get them cleaned using an at home jewelry cleaner.
I've always hated the idea of paying for ring cleaner, so I usually just ask the jewelry stores in the mall to clean them, but I hardly ever get to the mall these days, and I really hate asking them when I'm there. (It just makes me feel like I should buy something!).
So recently, I did some searching of how to clean rings at home, and came up with this easy recipe including a whopping three ingredients . . . that I can almost guarantee you have in your kitchen right now – no harsh chemicals at all.
All you need to get started is a jar, some hot water, baking soda, and a cheap soft toothbrush to create this cleaning solution (you can get all of this at the Dollar Tree for less than $5!).
Here's how to clean rings at home:
Warm your water to hot (not boiling). You'll then mix in baking soda until it's well combined. Place your rings in the water and then let them sit (mine sat for about 5 minutes).
Take your rings out of the homemade jewelry cleaner mix and take your toothbrush to gently scrub off any pieces of debris that loosened. Then gently brush with the toothbrush to brighten the ring. Rinse if you'd like, and allow to air dry on a soft cloth or paper towel.
You can use this cleaner to clean your engagement ring at home, clean your diamond rings, clean your gold – even any of your other pieces of jewelry.
I tried to get a good picture of my ring to show you the difference, but my camera just wouldn't zoom in that close, so you'll just have to take my word for it!
Note that fragile stones, such as pearls and opals, may not be cleaned this way – thanks for the tip Hagee!
DIY Ring Cleaner
Ingredients
- 2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 Cup Hot Water
- Jar To Mix Ingredients
- Toothbrush To Scrub Rings
Instructions
- Mix together 2 teaspoons baking soda and 1 cup hot water.
- Let rings set in water for a few minutes (mine set for five minutes.)
- Use toothbrush to brighten up the ring. All done! (How easy was that?)
If you don't want to clean your rings at home, you of course could have them professionally cleaned or even use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. But this DIY ring cleaner is so simple and inexpensive, I can't imagine doing it any other way!
Team member Laura also tried out a 3 ingredient recipe for cleaning rings at home and that one worked like a charm as well!
DIY Ring Cleaner at Home
Sometimes the list of things we have to keep clean in and around our homes can be endless. Now add your wedding rings to it! 😉
Thankfully, the Passionate Penny Pincher Home Planner keeps your cleaning schedule organized and manageable! So, when you have a free moment (which you will since your days will be planned out and less stressful), here's my tips and tricks for cleaning your wedding rings at home.
This DIY Ring Cleaner is SO easy, and makes your rings sparkle like new – and you don't have to make a trip to the jewelry store to achieve it! Here's what to do.
Ingredients for DIY Ring Cleaner
All you need to clean your rings at home are 3 simple ingredients, and I can almost guarantee you have them in your kitchen right now.
- 1 Tb Baking Soda
- 1 Tb Salt
- 1 Tb Dish Soap
How to Use DIY Ring Cleaner
Mix your ingredients together with 1 cup hot water in a glass or bowl.
Drop your rings in and let soak for 10-15 minutes.
Then, scrub with a soft bristled toothbrush. (I like to keep toothbrushes on hand for detailed cleaning projects like this! I got a 5-pack at the dollar store). You'll be surprised (and grossed out) by how much gunk might come out of those little crevices.
Dry completely with a towel.
Voila! Clean, sparkly rings without having to make a special trip to the jeweler and no harsh chemicals! It's one of my favorite little cleaning projects because it's just so easy and I end up with sparkles at the end.
What are your favorite “miscellaneous” cleaning projects at home??
In the mood for more cleaning now? Check out our Spring Cleaning Checklist to get your whole home sparkling this spring.
- Try out this Homemade Soap Scum Remover
- Make Homemade Window Cleaner
- Use tension rods to organize drawers
- Easily clean dry erase boards
Naomi says
My jeweler told me not to use toothpaste. She said to use window cleaner and soft toothbrush, but, not for soft stones.
Joannt says
I just wash my hands in Dawn liquid dish soap and they sparkle! (The rings not the hands) LOL
Laurie says
Thanks for the tip Joannt! 🙂
Deb says
Dawn dish soap is what my jeweler recommends to clean my jewelry with at home. He said jewelry cleaners you buy have chemicals that are not good for your diamonds and other stones.
RBJ says
Just place them in a glass jar with a little ammonia and let sit. Then gentle clean with a soft toothbrush and rinse thoroughly. Professional jewelers use ammonia except for soft stones like pearls and opals. (I use to work in a jewelry store.)
Shakira wilbanks says
Would it be OK to clean topaz like this or with the toothpaste?
Karen Sweigart Hagee says
Please not that fragile stones, such as pearls and opals, should not be cleaned in this manner.
Laurie says
Thanks for the tip Hagee – I just added that to the post!
Jessica says
I’ve heard toothpaste works well but I have a daily routine that has kept my rings looking clean. I keep a second toothbrush next to my regular toothbrush and as I’m brushing my teeth, I pause and hold my toothbrush in my mouth (no hands!). I grab the other toothbrush, run it under water and just brush my rings without taking them off (this seriously takes only two seconds). Then I finish brushing my teeth and I’m out the door! Make it part of your routine and your rings are always sparkly! 🙂
pat says
I buy denture cleaner, whatever is cheap, break each disc into 4 parts. I have a small glass container, ( think catsup from room service at a hotel), add warm water just enough to cover my ring and add 1/4 piece of denture cleaner. I usually leave it over night just because its easy, but an hour or two will probably work as well. I rinse under hot water and my ring is sparkling clean!
Judy says
My M-I-L used to clean all of her silver by putting plain powdered Tide and water in an aluminum lasagna pan. Worked well. I’ve also used toothpaste and an old toothbrush to clean smaller pieces of jewelry.
I just found this one online and am going to try it. 1TBS baking soda, 1TBS Dawn in a cup of hot water. Line a bowl with aluminum foil, Pour in baking soda/dawn/water mixture. Soak jewelry 5-10 min. Rinse then wipe with a soft cloth. If you have jewelry with nooks and crannies use a soft toothbrush to gently clean them out. I’m going to try it as I have a lot of jewelry that needs cleaning!
Candi says
I use a tiny bit of Dawn dishwashing liquid and a tiny splash of ammonia in a cup of hot, hot, hot water. Drop your jewelry in and let it soak (I do this while I shower) Clean with a soft toothbrush and rinse under hot water then dry. The Dawn dishwashing liquid breaks down any grease and grime and your jewelry comes out sparkling clean and gorgeous.
Granted, this is a little more involved than just the baking soda but it works so beautifully.
Laurie says
I’ll have to try that Candi ~ thanks for the tip (I was just thinking I needed to clean mine today!)
Steph says
A soft toothbrush and mild soap with warm water also works well. The baking soda with water also works to help take the tarnish off of silver. Just add enough water to make a paste with the baking soda, and scrub with a soft toothbrush
Randi says
Just this out – worked great! Thanks!
Tiffany says
I use a dab of toothpaste, toothbrush, and warm water…scrub for a few seconds and rinse. Takes less than a minute and your rings are nice and sparkly. Also, with toothpaste, you don’t have to worry about scratching your precious metals. It also makes bubbles so it will clean really well between stones. 🙂
Laurie says
I’m going to try that next time Tiffany ~ thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
Kim P says
Yes, my grandmother has always said toothpaste will clean rings well! I’ve never actually tried it though, but now I will. Thanks, Tiffany!
Melissia @ Bravely Frugal says
How great Laurie! I was just thinking about this the other day. I don’t buy ring cleaner either and was at the store the other day getting them cleaned but thinking “I can’t get here that often.” This is a great tip! May I share it on my blog and link back to you?
Laurie says
Of course Melissia! 🙂 (Glad I’m not the only one who hates to pay for jewelry cleaner!)
Laurie says
I use toothpaste and a soft toothbrush all the time. I also use a jewelry cloth at the end and my rings almost look brand new.
Laurie says
So good to know Laurie! 🙂