Instead of giving certain jewelries outside for cleaning, we can use some simple techniques to clean jewelries at home itself. These simple techniques give back shining look and keeps valuable jewelries neat for many months and years. Oil, sweat, dust and oxidation are three main culprits that spoil the look of jewelry and will not look attractive.  Grandma has few tips to clean & store jewelry at home:

1. To remove oil from gems: Use soap and water only. Take gems in hand and slowly using finger tips clean the gems using soap water. Rinse using clean water and dry by placing it on clean paper towel. There is no need to soak them in soap water.
2. For gold jewelry: Use soap nut powder or soap nut itself. Soap nut is available in herbal shops or with jewelers. Get few dried soap nut and keep them stored for use. While using, burn the soap nut a little and dip in cold water. Take jewelry in hand and rub gently with soap nut or soap nut powder. You can make use of a separate tooth brush for this purpose. You will see foam coming out from the soap nut. After few minutes of cleaning, dip jewelry in clean water and rinse. You will see clean, shiny gold jewelry
3. For diamonds: Soak diamond jewelries in warm water mixed with few drops of ammonia solution. After 5 to 10 minutes use very soft brush and remove the oil, dust and other particles. Diamonds will come back to original shining with this technique. When you store diamond jewelries and ear studs, put little talcum powder to keep them shining. Powder also absorbs oil from the diamond surface.
4. Gold and gems jewelry: To clean gems studded in gold, use little white vinegar. Apply vinegar with soft cloth and clean using soft brush. Wash using warm water. Do not soak jewelry containing stones.
5. Silver items: To clean silver jewelry and silver items use baking soda and aluminum foil. See more here. Pitambari is a powder that is available in many Indian stores. Use pitambari powder to clean silver jewelry as well as vessels and other items. It is not expensive and easy to use at home.
6. Copper jewelry: To clean copper jewelry use salt and lemon juice mixture. Dip, douse and use water to clean. Dry on soft clothes or paper towel.
7. Brass jewelry: To clean brass jewelry one can use white vinegar, salt and besan mix. Prepare a paste and use soft brush to apply. Brush softly and clean using water.
8. Storing: After cleaning any jewelry dry them on soft cloths or paper towel. Before storing make sure all your items are dried thoroughly. Separate necklace, ear studs, finger ring, toe ring, hair clips, individual pendants, bangles, bracelets, pearl jewelry, diamonds etc and store them separate in jewelry box or organizers.

• Delicate and thin gold chains should be kept individually and don’t mix them with heavy ones as chains might break by getting stuck to each other.
• To store necklace: Store necklaces individually so that they don’t get entangled with each other and makes it easy for you to search for the one for your next wear. Consider hanging them in stands or peg rack on the wall or closet door.
• Bracelets and bangles: Use draw organizers or hand bracelets in bangle stands.
• Ear rings: Use porcelain cups or earring compartments. Dangling earrings are better to be hang freely in stands.

Grandma’s tips: www.healthylife.werindia.com

Indian jewelry image: https://www.anuradhaartjewellery.com/