How to Naturally Clean Brass, Copper & Stainless Steel Jewelry
Jewelry is a timeless accessory, used for thousands of years as a way to express personal style or convey an important message. it's important to take care of your jewelry in order to prevent damage and to preserve the original design. Harsh chemicals can damage jewelry and may even cause issues to the user, so it's best to use natural cleaning methods whenever possible.
Please note: Extra care should be given if your piece of jewelry contains "soft" porous stones such as turquoise, opal and pearls. These stones, among other soft stones, should avoid cleaning agents, even natural ones. We suggest using only warm water and a soft tooth brush as well as not fully submerging pieces that contain delicate stones.
Here are safe and effective ways to clean brass, copper & stainless steel jewelry:
Copper and Brass - Natural Cleaning Methods
Method 1 - Lemon Juice and Baking Soda
Lemon juice and baking soda are a natural cleaning duo that can help to remove tarnish and dirt from jewelry. To use this method:
- Combine juice of 1/2 lemon and 4-5 tablespoons baking soda together to form a paste. Be sure to use a vessel large enough to contain the fizz generated by the combination.
- Use a tooth brush to gently scrub the jewelry and rinse away.
- Dry the jewelry completely and store in a cool dry place.
- If your jewelry needs extra deep cleaning, apply the paste to the jewelry and let it sit for 15-30 minutes. Then, rinse the paste off with warm water and dry the jewelry with a soft cloth.
Method 2 - White Vinegar
White vinegar is another natural cleaning agent that can be used to clean jewelry. To use this method:
- Fill a small bowl with white vinegar and soak the jewelry for 30 minutes to an hour. Use a soft tooth brush to clean crevices if needed.
- Rinse the jewelry with warm water.
- Dry it with a soft cloth and store in a cool dry place.
Stainless Steel - Natural Cleaning Methods
Method 1 - Soap & Water
- Rinse the jewelry with water and a chemical free soap. We love and use castile style soap for many cleaning projects!
- Use a soft toothbrush for crevices if needed.
- Pat dry completely and store in a cool dry place.
Method 2 - Baking Soda
- Combine a 2:1 ratio of baking soda to water to create a paste.
- Use a soft toothbrush to distribute the past and clean the item.
- Rinse with water, using chemical free soap if desired.
- Pat dry completely and store in a cool dry place.
Fun Facts About Stainless Steel, Copper & Brass
- Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, chromium, and nickel. It is known for its strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion. Stainless steel is also a wonderful choice for those needing a hypoallergenic jewelry option!
- Copper is a soft, malleable metal that is known for its conductivity and antibacterial properties. Copper has a beautiful earthy tone that pairs well with many stones. It has been used for thousands of years in jewelry and art. Copper can obtain a natural patina (tarnish) that adds character to many designs and is often time added on purpose by many jewelry artists/
- Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It is known for its strength, durability, and golden color. The yellow of brass is slightly brighter than gold and also pairs beautifully with gemstones as well as copper. Although brass can also obtain a natural patina (tarnish) it is often times desired and purposely done just as with copper.
We hope you found this natural jewelry cleaning guide helpful! Sign up below to become a VIP and receive a link to our free PDF cleaning guide download. You'll also receive 15% off of your first order and exclusive access to new collection launches!