It's generally not recommended to use Windex for most jewelry because its ammonia can damage softer metals and certain gemstones, but it's often considered safe for diamonds set in gold or platinum if used briefly with mild soap and a soft brush, followed by thorough rinsing. For precious metals like gold, soft cloths with mild soap and water are best, while silver requires specific polishing cloths or cleaners to avoid tarnish and scratches from harsh chemicals.
Don't use Windex, vinegar, baking soda, or peroxide.
You may have heard that it is okay to use Windex if you're trying to clean your jewelry at home, but it's a no-no.
The best jewelry cleaner depends on your needs, with top-rated options including Weiman Fine Jewelry Cleaner for overall ease and value, Connoisseurs Dazzle Drops/Stik for portable, effective spot-cleaning, and Magnasonic Ultrasonic Cleaners for deep, chemical-free cleaning of various items using sonic waves, ideal for tech-savvy users or multiple items like glasses. For budget or DIY, ingredients like baking soda, foil, and dish soap offer good results, but professional-grade ultrasonic machines provide the most thorough clean for most jewelry types.
While it's great for windows, the ammonia and other chemicals in Windex can be too harsh for many precious metals and gemstones. Over time, ammonia can actually cause white gold to yellow and may damage the rhodium plating that gives it its bright white appearance.
Using abrasive cleaners – Harsh cleaners like Windex (or even silver polishes containing alcohol or ammonia) are always a no-go. Keep your routine as gentle as possible while still ensuring an effective shine.
4 Things You Should Never Use To Clean Jewelry
For silver that is tarnished, clean with a good quality silver polish and avoid “dip” polishes.
What Should You NOT Use Glass Cleaner On?
Cleaning diamond earrings and diamond jewellery is a pretty straightforward process that can easily be done at home. Start by adding washing-up liquid to water that is warm but nowhere near boiling, and leave to soak for around 30 minutes for necklaces and bracelets and around 45 minutes for earrings.
Ultrasonic Cleaning
Many professional jewelers use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean fine jewelry, including your diamond engagement ring. Ultrasonic cleaners combine a cleaning solution with high-frequency sound waves.
Some jewelers use ultrasonic cleaners with high-frequency sound waves and cleaning solutions that create bubbles that latch on to the dirt on the diamond. The sound waves release the dirt from the diamond. Steam cleaning is the final step in jewelry cleaning that reveals your diamond's brilliance.
Combine 1 part dish soap, 1 part glass cleaner, and 2 parts warm water in a small bowl. No need for exact measurements. Place jewelry in the cleaning solution. Let it soak a few minutes, or hours, depending on the need.
Take a half a cup of white vinegar and mix it with two tablespoons of baking soda in a shallow bowl. After mixing the solution so that the baking soda is dissolved well, you can place your jewelry in the bowl and leave it there for 2 to 3 hours. When your jewels are nice and clean, rinse them and dry with a cloth.
The "3-month ring rule" is an outdated marketing tactic from the De Beers diamond company, suggesting you should spend the equivalent of three months' salary on an engagement ring to show commitment, a guideline that evolved from earlier one and two-month suggestions to boost diamond sales in the 1930s and 1980s. While it serves as a simple reference, it's not a real rule and ignores personal finances, with experts recommending basing the decision on affordability, shared goals, and individual preferences rather than this arbitrary financial benchmark.
Some agents that should never be used when cleaning diamonds are chlorine bleach, harsh chemicals, or abrasives, such as household cleaners, acetone, or toothpaste. These corrosive agents contain chemicals that can severely erode the metals used to alloy gold for diamond settings.
While all 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, and carat) matter, cut is by far the most important when it comes to sparkle.
Repeated use of ammonia-based or chlorinated glass cleaners may cause discoloration or corrosion over time. Safer alternatives like vinegar and water solutions or stainless steel-specific cleaners are recommended for routine maintenance.
Hotels keep glass shower doors clean using a multi-pronged approach: daily squeegeeing after each use, applying protective hydrophobic coatings, using water softeners to combat hard water, employing commercial cleaners with microfiber cloths or paper towels, and ensuring strict housekeeping routines with post-guest deep cleans. The key is consistent maintenance, not just occasional scrubbing, to prevent soap scum and mineral buildup.
With proper care, your silver will retain its beauty and character for many generations to come. Sterling silver tarnishes, especially when exposed to salt air and products containing sulfur, such as rubber bands and some papers.
Polishing Silver
The most common is using a soft towel and a silver polish cream like Hagerty's or Miror. Another option is to line a ceramic or glass (never metal) dish with aluminium foil. In a separate bowl, mix together one tablespoon of salt, one tablespoon of baking soda, and half a cup of white vinegar.