Short answer: most viral jewellery cleaning hacks work by being harsh, which is why the before-and-after videos look so dramatic. Baking soda, toothpaste, lemon juice and vinegar can scratch metal, strip plating, remove intentional darkened details and damage pearls and stones. The safest everyday method is still the simplest: lukewarm water, a drop of mild dish soap, a gentle wipe and a thorough dry.
Jewellery cleaning videos are everywhere on TikTok and Instagram, and searches for at-home cleaning tips have grown sharply. Here's what each popular hack actually does, and when it's worth skipping.
The hacks at a glance
| Hack | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Warm water + mild dish soap | Safe for most pieces | The gentlest everyday clean. Dry thoroughly afterwards. |
| Foil + baking soda + boiling water | Use with caution | Can lift tarnish from plain solid sterling silver, but avoid on plated, oxidised, pearl, stone or glued pieces. |
| Toothpaste | Avoid | Abrasive. Leaves fine scratches and wears plating. |
| Lemon juice or vinegar | Avoid | Acidic. Can dull metal and damage pearls and stones. |
| Baking soda paste (scrubbing) | Avoid | Abrasive, especially on plated finishes. |
| Silver polishing cloth | Safe for solid sterling silver | Not for plated pieces, pearls or stones. |
| Ultrasonic cleaner | Depends on the piece | Not for pearls, mother-of-pearl, turquoise, glued stones or plated jewellery. |
1. The foil, baking soda and boiling water hack
This is the most shared hack: line a bowl with aluminium foil, add baking soda (sometimes salt), pour in boiling water and drop your jewellery in. On plain, solid sterling silver, a chemical reaction between the foil and the tarnish can make silver look brighter quickly.
The catch: it's not suitable for most mixed-material jewellery. It can remove the deliberate dark finish on oxidised or antique-style details, stress plated finishes over repeated use, and the boiling water can loosen glued stones and harm pearls, shell and porous stones such as turquoise. If you try it at all, keep it to plain solid sterling silver only.
2. Toothpaste
Toothpaste is designed to polish teeth, which means it contains fine abrasives. On jewellery, those abrasives leave tiny scratches that dull the surface over time and can wear through plating. It's best avoided altogether.
3. Lemon juice, vinegar and other acidic "natural" cleaners
Acids can cut through grime, but they also react with metal and can etch or discolour pearls, mother-of-pearl and many natural stones. Skip lemon juice, vinegar, ketchup and soft drinks for cleaning jewellery.
4. Scrubbing with a toothbrush
A brush can reach grime in settings, but stiff bristles scratch, and an old toothbrush can carry toothpaste residue. If you need to reach into a setting on a solid metal piece, use a very soft, clean brush kept only for jewellery, and use light pressure. Don't brush plated surfaces, pearls or enamel.
5. Ultrasonic cleaners
Ultrasonic machines are popular because they clean without scrubbing, but the vibration can loosen stones and damage delicate materials. Avoid them for pearls, mother-of-pearl, turquoise and other porous stones, glued or enamel details, and plated jewellery.
The method we recommend
- Mix lukewarm water with a drop of mild, fragrance-free dish soap.
- Dip metal pieces briefly, or wipe them with a soft cloth dampened in the mixture. Don't soak pearls or natural stones.
- Rinse with a clean damp cloth or a quick dip in clean water.
- Dry completely with a soft, lint-free cloth before storing.
For material-specific advice, see our guides to cleaning gold jewellery, cleaning silver jewellery and cleaning pearls. Not sure what your piece is made of? Read gold-plated vs vermeil vs gold-filled vs solid gold.
Prevention beats any hack
The less grime builds up, the less cleaning you need. Put jewellery on after skincare and perfume, take it off before showering, swimming and exercise, wipe it after wearing, and store pieces separately in a closed pouch or roll.
Shop the guide
Easy-care favourites
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Honeycomb Prism Hoop EarringsFrom A$45 · 925 sterling silverShop now
Sculpted Tide Hoop EarringsA$59 · 925 sterling silverShop now
Pearl Knot StudsA$69Shop now
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Frequently asked questions
Does the foil and baking soda hack really work?
It can brighten plain, solid sterling silver, but it's not suitable for plated, oxidised, pearl, stone or glued pieces. For most jewellery, warm soapy water is the safer choice.
Can I clean gold-plated jewellery with toothpaste?
No. Toothpaste is abrasive and can scratch and wear through plating. Use a soft cloth with a little mild soapy water instead.
What's the safest way to clean jewellery at home?
Lukewarm water, a drop of mild dish soap, a soft cloth, and thorough drying. Wipe pearls and natural stones rather than soaking them.
For more ways to look after your pieces, visit our Jewellery Care Guide.