Jewelry Cleaning Tools

• Clean your jewelry to preserve its value. Chaos/Photodisc/Getty Images

  Jewelry, especially jewelry worn on an everyday basis, can collect a lot of dirt, dust and other filth. When the debris is left on jewelry, it can be quite damaging and can even cause a depreciation in value. Fortunately, there are ways to clean your jewelry at home using tools you may already have. Use caution with these methods as they are not all safe for all types of jewelry.

Soft Brush and Ammonia

• One of the easiest ways to clean your jewelry is with a soft brush and ammonia. The ammonia helps wash off dirt and debris while the brush helps to remove any residuals left behind. To clean your jewelry with ammonia and a brush, fill a small dish with ammonia. Place your jewelry in the bowl, and let it soak for as little as five minutes or as long as overnight. After the ammonia soak is complete, moisten a soft-bristled brush, like an infant toothbrush or other soft toothbrush, with the ammonia. Scrub gently around your jewelry, paying special attention to any crevices that may have collected dirt. Rinse with water, and wipe with a soft cloth to finish. This technique is very effective, but know that it is not for stones such as pearls, for foil-back jewelry, very soft metals or jewelry that uses glue.

Soft Flannel Cloth

• While a brush with ammonia is one of the best ways to clean jewelry, the method may be too harsh on softer metals and stones like pearls. If your jewelry is too fragile for the ammonia and brush method, use a soft cloth for cleaning. To clean your jewelry using the soft cloth method, simply wet a soft cloth, like a flannel rag, with water and gently wipe the piece. Don't use loopy fabrics, like a terry washcloth, to clean your jewelry, as they may leave stray fibers behind, and don't use potentially abrasive fabrics, like microfiber, as they can cause scratches on organic stones like amber or pearls.

Sonic Cleaners

• Sonic jewelry cleaners use sonic waves to clean jewelry. They are more aggressive than methods like ammonia and a brush or a soft cloth but are usually safe for most jewelry, provided the pieces are not left in the sonic cleaner's bath for an extended period. Sonic cleaners are available for purchase at jewelry shops and online. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using a sonic jewelry cleaner.

Professional Ultrasonic Cleaning

• Professional ultrasonic jewelry cleaners use ultrasonic waves to clean. They are not available for home use, and unlike sonic cleaners, are too strong for many types of jewelry. If you choose to clean your jewelry with an ultrasonic cleaner, go to a professional jeweler who is well versed in ultrasonic cleaning methods and who is knowledgeable in what ultrasonic waves can do to fragile pieces.