Welcome back to another entry here on the Crafted by Kaydee blog! Last time we talked about some of the benefits to buying custom made jewelry, (check it out) if you haven’t. This time around we want to take a look at something that’s just a little outside our purview – stainless steel jewelry. Now aside from our charm pendants, we mostly focus on other metals for our pieces but stainless steel is a popular one out there so we thought to whip up this guide for our readers: How to clean stainless steel jewelry, and how you can store it, to keep it looking splendid for years to come.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Jewelry
The idea of cleaning jewelry usually gives folks pause, after all, you’d hate to mess up something so expensive! Luckily, stainless steel is much easier to clean than many would suspect! Follow these simple steps and you’ll have given your piece it’s sparkle back!
Step 1 – Prep the Materials
Get a small bowl filled with warm water and some mild dishwashing soap. Nothing too strong! You’ll also want another small bowl with clean water, two soft cloths, and a clean towel.
Step 2 – Wipe Clean
Using a soft, soft, - I cannot stress this enough- soft cloth, wipe the piece clean. Dip the cloth in slightly, then gently wipe the stainless steel to remove any gunk or what have you. Make sure to rub along the polish lines of the metal to keep the surface looking smooth.
Step 3 – Wipe Off
Wipe any lingering soap off the jewelry using the second cloth dipped in the clean water.
Step 4 – Dry
Dry the piece with the clean towel and leave it out to air dry.
After that, you should be all good to go! Give it a polish and it’ll be looking like the day it was made. This isn’t the only way you can clean it, some recommend baking soda and using a toothbrush but it’s best to start with the mildest process before moving on to other chemicals. If you find that didn’t quite do the trick then you may want to investigate heavy duty options.
While stainless steel doesn’t corrode, tarnish, or really need any sort of special care, there are still some best practices on how to store them to keep them from getting scratched or otherwise damaged!
How to Store Your Stainless Steel Jewelry
As we said, stainless steel is pretty dang resilient, but it can still be scratched. That’s why it’s best to make sure you’re wearing and storing it to minimize any contact with other pieces or items that might be able to damage it.
When not being worn, store your stainless steel separate from your other jewelry. Keep them in individual pouches, or bags to ensure their longevity.
Should you find you’ve got a scratch on your hands, fret not! Professional jewelers should be able to polish through most the damage to give it back its’s pristine look.
We hope this basic rundown on how to clean stainless steel jewelry was useful to you! If you fear your piece is beyond cleaning and repair, it might just be time to look for something new! In which case, I’d point you to some of our popular unique pieces! Check back often, Kaydee is always adding new tools, materials, and styles to her repertoire and she can’t wait to help give you exactly what you’re looking for.