How To Clean Vintage Glass Beads

How to clean beads and jewellery

It is important to keep your beads and jewellery in good condition to ensure they are durable and look fresh. Different materials need to be cleaned in various ways to ensure they are not damaged. You need to look at the item as a whole when you are deciding your cleaning method as some jewellery solutions may be too harsh for certain elements in your piece. Here are some tips on how to clean your jewellery to keep it at its best.

Metal jewellery

Before you set out cleaning any metal component check the type of metal it is made from, whether it is plated or has an antique finish. Most metals react with the environment and tarnish naturally through oxidation. If your metal is not tarnished you may need to only wipe it with a soft cloth. If it is very tarnished and discoloured it is recommended you take it to a jewellers for professional cleaning.

Silver

This can easily be cleaned with a specifically formulated silver cleaning solution. Simply place in the ready made solution until the tarnish has been removed and wipe gently with a polishing cloth to leave your silver with a lovely shine.
Try to avoid harsh chemicals and do not rinse under water once cleaned as this can affect the surface colour. You can create your own cleaning silver solution at home with a few simple ingredients. Line a bowl with aluminum foil and pour in hot salt water. Add your silver to the liquid and stir with a wooden or plastic utensil until the piece is cleaned. Once your jewellery is clean store in a pouch separate to other jewellery to avoid scratching and tarnishing.

Gold

You will find gold is generally tarnish resistant however it can get dirty, smudged easily and its shine can fade. You can fine specialized ready made cleaning products to place your jewellery in or simply wash with warm water and washing up liquid. You can use a soft bristle brush such as a toothbrush to gently clean the surface especially on more intricate pieces. Like silver it is best stored separately from other jewellery items to avoid scratching.

Copper and Brass

Both of these metals will naturally tarnish over time unless they have been lacquered. You can use ingredients in your kitchen to make your own cleaning solution quick and easily. One way is to place in a bowl of lemon juice and salt or alternatively you can use tomato ketchup instead! Once left for a few minutes wipe off the solution and clean with a polishing cloth. Do not try this on copper or brass with an antique finish as it may damage it.

Leather

When cleaning leather you need to condition it to avoid it becoming brittle and cracking. You can use shoe polish or leather conditioner to nourish your cord rubbing this on with a soft dry cloth. You can use soap suds to clean but you need to make sure you don't soak the leather under water. Create your soap suds in a bowl of warm water using a mild detergent and apply only the bubbles to your leather and wipe clean. You can wash this with the suds to clean and then finish with the conditioning polish. Store your leather in a cool dry place and avoid heat as this can cause it to crack.

Pearls

Try to clean pearls after every use to maintain clean jewellery and avoid damage, just a simple wipe after use will do the trick. If they are on a silk thread then be very careful not to let it come into contact with water as this will weaken the thread. You will need to occasionally restring your pearls to keep them in top condition. Use a slightly damp cloth with a mild detergent to wipe the pearls clean and allow to dry naturally. Keep your pearls in a cloth pouch to maintain their moisture and avoid abrasion.

Plastic and Acrylic

Wash plastic and acrylic beads using a soft cloth or sponge with water and a mild soap. Do not use anything abrasive as this may wear down the surface and cause scratching. Once cleaned wipe off the soap with a damp cloth and leave the beads to dry naturally.

Glass

To clean glass beads you can either use alcohol or a mild soap solution. Rub the beads gently with a soft cloth and your cleaning solution until they are restored. If you are cleaning them as part of a necklace or bracelet be careful not to dampen the thread as the moisture can damage it.

Bone and Wood

These are both quite porous materials which means they do not wash well in water. Use a soft cloth to wipe them clean and apply some furniture polish if you require. If you are using furniture polish test a small amount of this first to check it will not discolour your beads.

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Tips on keeping your beads and jewellery in top condition

Aim to clean your jewellery every six months
Allow jewellery to air dry before storing
Wash every element of your jewellery appropriately to avoid damage to their finish
Store your jewellery in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight
Apply makeup, perfume and body creams prior to putting on your jewellery
Take off your jewellery when swimming, playing sports or have any contact with water

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