# Home remedies for cleaning jewelry: what works and what does not

> Baking soda, vinegar, toothpaste, lemon and aluminum foil: which ones clean jewelry at home, on which metals, and which can damage it.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/home-remedies-to-clean-jewelry/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-06-16
- Updated: 2026-06-20
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/remedios-caseros-limpiar-joyas/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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There are many home tricks for cleaning jewelry. Some work very well, others damage the piece. This guide helps you choose.

## They work

- **Lukewarm water and mild soap:** the safest for gold, silver, platinum, diamonds and steel.
- **Baking soda and aluminum foil:** removes tarnish from solid silver (see [cleaning silver](https://www.711grados.com/en/how-to-clean-silver-jewelry/)).
- **A soft cloth:** to polish and keep the shine.

## Doubtful

- **Vinegar and lemon:** can remove tarnish layers, but they attack stones, pearls and plating and should not be used routinely.
- **Baking soda paste:** a mild abrasive; it works on solid silver but can scratch gold plating.

## Better to avoid

- **Toothpaste:** it is abrasive and leaves scratches; not a good idea on any metal.
- **Bleach and chlorine:** they damage metals and stones.
- **Any remedy on pearls, opals and costume jewelry:** use only a damp cloth.

> [!NOTE]
> Test any method first on an inconspicuous area, and when in doubt, ask a jeweler.

## See also

- [How to clean silver jewelry and remove tarnish](https://www.711grados.com/en/how-to-clean-silver-jewelry/)
- [How to clean gold jewelry at home](https://www.711grados.com/en/how-to-clean-gold-jewelry/)
- [How to clean costume and fashion jewelry](https://www.711grados.com/en/how-to-clean-costume-jewelry/)