Stainless steel jewelry is resistant to rust, corrosion and tarnishing. Although the main reason for using them is in their appearance, since they generally have a smooth and shiny finish that we can admire. Added to this is the fact that it is a hypoallergenic and ecological material, so it is not uncommon for it to be used in high-quality jewelry. Like, for example, rings or wedding bands and fashion jewelry for men.
However, despite being a healthy and durable material that does not corrode or tarnish easily, it also requires care to maintain it. Since it can be easily scratched and over time it tends to lose its shine, becoming dull. Therefore, a few simple rules must be followed to keep your stainless steel jewelry in good condition. So we invite you to continue reading to discover them.
Image by Jan Steiner from Pixabay
What is stainless steel jewelry made of?
Steel uses an alloy that combines carbon, iron ore, and chromium, which are compounds that give the metal its remarkable strength and distinctive characteristics. While the iron mixture creates an allotropic-crystalline bond that is difficult to break. The chrome will create an oxidized layer on the metal, which is what keeps it stainless.
How to care for your stainless steel jewelry
Although stainless steel has a tendency to keep dirt at bay, maintenance is the first step in keeping your stainless steel jewelry clean and shiny. So if your jewelry requires rigorous polishing, it is an indication that it has been neglected for a long period of time. Fortunately, cleaning your stainless steel jewelry and restoring its shine is a fairly easy task and the best part is that it can be done at home. Here are some options you can consider:
Cleaning your stainless steel jewelry
Although the following are fairly straightforward, you must be careful when cleaning stainless steel jewelry. As it could cause more scratches and damage your jewelry if you don’t do it right.
Clean with soap and water
Simply use soap and water to clean your stainless steel jewelry when it is dirty or dull. This works well to get rid of contaminants and dirt from your jewelry.
Choose a mild liquid soap and pour it into a bowl of warm water. Soak stainless steel jewelry in the soapy solution for several minutes.
Then use a soft cloth to rub the jewelry. Remember to rub along your natural grain. For more compact dirt or if your jewelry has engravings, grooves, stones or channels, use a soft-bristled toothbrush. This will ensure that you get to all the hard to reach places.
Once you have cleaned all parts of the jewelry, rinse thoroughly with water. Dry the parts well with a lint-free cloth. This eliminates any chance of water stains.
Clean with baking soda
Another way to clean stainless steel jewelry is to make a thick paste of baking soda and water. Once it has reached a toothpaste-like consistency, use a toothbrush to slowly clean the jewelry.
Clean using toothpaste
Many people swear by using toothpaste to clean their jewelry. While this can be a good method, be careful about the type of toothpaste you choose. Some toothpastes, especially those that contain whitening agents, are abrasive and harsh. They can scratch stainless steel, damaging it instead of cleaning it.
Instead, choose a gel toothpaste that is smooth and gentle. Use this with a soft bristle brush to clean dirt from the nooks and crannies of your jewelry.
Use ultrasonic cleaners
Generally, it is safe to use an ultrasonic cleaner for your stainless steel jewelry. This will make it easier for you to clean up elaborate designs that are hard to reach. However, if the jewelry includes precious stones, it is recommended not to use the ultrasonic cleaner. This is because ultrasonic cleaners work with intense vibration and agitation. This can damage gemstones, causing them to crack, loosen from their mounts, or fall out entirely.
Stainless steel jewelry polishing
To maintain the shine of your stainless steel between cleanings, use a jewelry polishing cloth. By polishing your jewelry, you keep dirt and oils away and restore its luster, bringing its shine back. Always go with the grain of the metal when polishing to avoid scratching it.
If your jewelry is scratched, you can take it to a jeweler for a professional shine. This will remove all scratches and restore the smoothness of the metal. However, before you do, consider whether that piece of jewelry is worth the effort. Stainless steel is very affordable and sometimes going through all that trouble may not be worth it.
What should we avoid?
Keep your jewelry away from chlorine and bleach
Bleach and any form of chlorine will stain the surface of the steel, so keep these compounds away from your jewelry. Bleach, while useful in many ways around the house, acts as a corrosive when it comes to steel. Your chemical process will eventually eat away at the steel, but will initially leave a stain on the metal surface. So it is also advisable to remove jewelry when swimming in chlorinated pools.
Avoid cleaners for copper, silver or brass
Steel and silver have properties that visually look the same, but they are not. You cannot substitute a polishing formula made for silver using it on steel. So avoid using cleaners made for silver, copper, or brass, as they can be abrasive and scratch stainless steel. Also, these polishes could stain the metal forever.
How to store your stainless steel jewelry
Stainless steel ranks between 5 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale. This means that all materials with a harder Mohs rating can scratch stainless steel. That’s why you should store your stainless steel jewelry separately from jewelry made of other metals. Well, this way you can minimize any contact with other metals and precious stones that could damage your jewelry.
The best thing to do with this type of jewelry is to keep it in a cloth-lined box or cloth bag. This will also keep it free of dust and moisture.