SerendipityCrafts
02-17-2008, 11:25 PM
I went looking for a DIY jewelry cleaner recipe tonight and found this one -
I remember that my grandmother used to have a small piece of aluminium plate (the paper sleeve that it came in had a price of .25 cents on it!). She just dropped it in the bottom of a glass bowl, added washing soda, put her silver (& silver plate) on top of it and it took away all the tarnish without rubbing!
Ingredients
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon dish detergent
1 cup water
1 piece aluminum foil
Directions
Heat water in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes.
Cut a piece of aluminum foil that roughly covers the bottom of a small bowl (like a cereal bowl).
Pour hot water into bowl. Place salt, soda, and dishwashing liquid into bowl. Place jewelry on top of foil and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry jewelry completely with soft cloth. Discard solution after use and make a new batch next time.
According to wire-sculpture.com, "this works well for gold-filled, brass, german (nickel) silver, and sterling silver. I have even cleaned jewelry with freshwater pearls, shell cameos and mother of pearl with no problem."
**************************************
This recipe (the one I was originally looking for) is for the liquid stuff that you can buy at jewelry stores, wally world etc.
Makes: 1 cup (about enough to refill your original container)
Ingredients:
3/4 cup ammonia
1/4 cup water
1 drop dish soap liquid (which does not contain any bleach - check the label)
Soak jewelry in the solution for 1-10 minutes (depending on how tarnished it is). Swish intricate pieces in the solution to get into the cracks/crevices. Use a toothbrush or a well-washed mascara brush for hard to reach places. Rinse and dry with a soft clean cloth. Use only on diamonds, rubies and sapphires. DO NOT use on pearls. DO NOT combine this solution with chlorine bleach - hazardous fumes will result!
I remember that my grandmother used to have a small piece of aluminium plate (the paper sleeve that it came in had a price of .25 cents on it!). She just dropped it in the bottom of a glass bowl, added washing soda, put her silver (& silver plate) on top of it and it took away all the tarnish without rubbing!
Ingredients
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon dish detergent
1 cup water
1 piece aluminum foil
Directions
Heat water in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes.
Cut a piece of aluminum foil that roughly covers the bottom of a small bowl (like a cereal bowl).
Pour hot water into bowl. Place salt, soda, and dishwashing liquid into bowl. Place jewelry on top of foil and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry jewelry completely with soft cloth. Discard solution after use and make a new batch next time.
According to wire-sculpture.com, "this works well for gold-filled, brass, german (nickel) silver, and sterling silver. I have even cleaned jewelry with freshwater pearls, shell cameos and mother of pearl with no problem."
**************************************
This recipe (the one I was originally looking for) is for the liquid stuff that you can buy at jewelry stores, wally world etc.
Makes: 1 cup (about enough to refill your original container)
Ingredients:
3/4 cup ammonia
1/4 cup water
1 drop dish soap liquid (which does not contain any bleach - check the label)
Soak jewelry in the solution for 1-10 minutes (depending on how tarnished it is). Swish intricate pieces in the solution to get into the cracks/crevices. Use a toothbrush or a well-washed mascara brush for hard to reach places. Rinse and dry with a soft clean cloth. Use only on diamonds, rubies and sapphires. DO NOT use on pearls. DO NOT combine this solution with chlorine bleach - hazardous fumes will result!