How to Clean Earrings and Earring Backs (The Hygienic Way)

Pearl Knot Studs with sterling silver posts

Short answer: clean your earrings and earring backs every couple of weeks, and more often if you wear them daily. Wash the posts and backs in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap, use a very soft brush or cotton bud to reach inside butterfly backs, rinse, then dry everything completely. Wipe pearls, stones and plated surfaces gently rather than soaking them.

Why earrings need regular cleaning

Earrings sit against your skin all day. Natural skin oils, sweat, hair products, makeup and moisturiser gradually build up on the posts and inside the backs. That residue can dull your earrings, cause odour and make backs grip less securely. Clean earrings simply feel nicer to wear, and they look better too.

How often should you clean earrings?

  • Everyday earrings: a quick wipe after wearing, and a proper clean every one to two weeks.
  • Occasional earrings: clean before storing them after each wear.
  • After the gym, beach or a hot day: clean the same day, as sweat and salt build up quickly.

What you'll need

  • A small bowl of lukewarm water
  • A drop of mild, fragrance-free dish soap
  • A very soft, clean brush (kept only for jewellery) or cotton buds
  • A soft, lint-free cloth

How to clean earring posts and hooks

  1. Remove the backs and keep each pair together so nothing goes missing.
  2. Dip a cotton bud or soft cloth in the soapy water and gently wipe the post or hook from base to tip.
  3. Wipe again with a cloth dampened in clean water to remove soap.
  4. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth, paying attention to where the post meets the earring.

How to clean earring backs

Butterfly (push) backs are where most build-up hides, because residue gets trapped in the curled metal.

  1. Drop metal backs into the warm soapy water for a few minutes. Backs can usually be soaked, even when the earring itself shouldn't be.
  2. Use a very soft brush or the tip of a cotton bud to gently clean inside the curls.
  3. Rinse in clean water and lay them on a cloth to dry completely before storing.

Silicone or rubber backs can be washed the same way. If backs have lost their grip, discoloured or cracked, replace them rather than continuing to use them.

Cleaning the front of your earrings by material

  • Gold-plated and silver-tone: wipe gently with a cloth barely dampened in soapy water, then dry. Don't scrub or soak, and avoid toothpaste and abrasive cleaners. See do gold-plated earrings tarnish?
  • 925 sterling silver: wash as above, dry well, and use a silver polishing cloth on plain areas if needed. Read our silver cleaning guide.
  • Pearls, mother-of-pearl and natural stones: wipe gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry immediately. Never soak them. Our guide on how to clean pearls explains more.
  • Crystal, zircon and enamel: a soft cloth with a tiny amount of soapy water, then dry. Avoid harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners.

Tempted by a viral cleaning hack? Read which jewellery cleaning hacks work and which cause damage first.

Earring hygiene habits

  • Don't share earrings or try on others' earrings without cleaning them first.
  • Take earrings out at night and before showering, swimming and exercising. See can you shower, sleep or work out in your jewellery?
  • Store pairs together and dry, in a closed pouch or jewellery roll, so backs don't get lost or dusty.
  • Clean your ears too: washing your earlobes gently in the shower helps reduce build-up on your earrings.
  • New piercings: follow your piercer's aftercare advice, which may differ from everyday cleaning.

If your ears become itchy, red, swollen or sore when you wear earrings, stop wearing that pair and speak to your GP or a pharmacist.

Frequently asked questions

How do I clean earring backs?

Soak metal backs in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap for a few minutes, gently clean inside the curls with a soft brush or cotton bud, rinse, and dry completely.

Why do my earrings smell?

A mild odour usually comes from natural skin oils and residue building up on the posts and inside the backs. Regular cleaning of both, and washing your earlobes, usually solves it.

Can I soak gold-plated earrings?

It's best not to. Wipe plated earrings gently with a damp, soapy cloth and dry them straight away. You can still soak the metal backs separately.

For more ways to look after your pieces, visit our Jewellery Care Guide.