How to Clean Jewelry with Baking Soda?

Do you have some baking soda? Do you want to clean your jewelry? If so, baking soda may be the solution for you. Continue reading below to learn how you can use baking soda to clean jewelry.

This is a simple 5-step method.

1. Line a bowl with aluminum foil.
2. Add enough very hot water to cover the jewelry.
3. Combine equal parts salt and baking soda.
4. Place the jewelry in the solution, making sure it is touching the aluminum.
5. Rinse with clean water and allow to air dry on a soft, clean towel.

Baking powder may be used as a substitute for baking soda if you do not have baking soda. Just be aware that its leavening ability is not as potent as that of ordinary baking soda.

Baking powder or baking soda? Which one should you use? Some opt for baking powder for a gentle clean while others prefer baking soda for a more effective clean.

Baking powder is a sub for baking soda, but proper measurements are required to make this work. For example, if a cleaning recipe asks for 1 teaspoon of baking soda, use 3 teaspoons of baking powder instead. This is because baking soda is in baking powder, but it also contains other components that dilute its power.

Baking soda for jewelry cleaning is a great choice, since it works well to clean jewelry of all types including gold, silver, faux gold, and silver-plated items.  

Using aluminum and baking soda to clean jewelry is typically a great choice for silver. Baking soda jewelry cleaner quickly removes tarnish, but some dealers warn against using it on antique silver since it can be too abrasive and damage the finish. Avoid baking soda jewelry cleaner, especially if you're not sure of the provenance of the pieces or whether the components are in fact genuine sterling silver.

Vinegar and baking soda for jewelry cleaning is a great choice. Soak your bracelets, rings, and other jewelry in a mixture of 1/2 cup white vinegar and 2 tablespoons baking soda for two to three hours. Rinse the jewelry pieces under cold water and allow to air dry on a cotton cloth.

Vinegar and baking soda mixed causes something new to form. Vinegar and baking soda mixed quickly forms carbon dioxide gas. If enough vinegar is used, all of the baking soda is made to react and disappear into the vinegar solution. Sodium bicarbonate and acetic acid reacts to carbon dioxide, water and sodium acetate.

Now that you've learned how to clean jewelry with baking soda, it's likely that baking soda will become your go-to product for cleaning all kinds of jewelry. Baking soda doesn't just clean jewelry, it also polishes it.

If you have any more questions about how to clean jewelry with baking soda, feel free to contact us directly!