All the viral jewellery cleaning hacks, rated by a diamond expert.

When it comes to cleaning our rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings... it's complicated.

If you were to do a deep scroll through TikTok or Instagram, you would be immersed in a series of random, popular hacks for cleaning your jewellery. Many of these include common household products such as dish soap, toothpaste and even tomato sauce (yes, you read that correctly).

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I've been in the industry for a number of years now, so as Shiels diamond expert, I decided to test and analyse each of the top TikTok viral cleaning hacks. Here's which ones could damage your jewellery, and the hacks that are well worth your time.

9) Soda — Debunked.

Soda water is a big one making the rounds on social media, but the acids and sugars can damage and leave residue on your jewellery. While it can clean certain metals like copper, it can be damaging for most jewellery metals and gemstones.

Also, the sticky residue of soda can also attract more dirt and grime, which can do more harm than good.

8) Tomato sauce — Debunked. 

An unexpected jewellery cleaning ingredient that emerged from TikTok is tomato sauce, which acquired a significant amount of attention at 179,880 views. 

Yes, tomato sauce can be used for cleaning and removing tarnish in copper-based jewellery — but it's also messy and not effective or suitable for other types of materials. Its acidic properties can also damage the metal and gemstones if used for prolonged periods, again, causing more harm than good.

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7) Saltwater — Debunked.

Earning over 180,000 combined views, it seems like TikTok users are keen to experiment with saltwater as a jewellery cleaning solution. 

Fun fact though: salt has minimal benefits for cleaning jewellery and is ineffective for removing dirt and grime — more so, it can actually cause corrosion and tarnish metals.

I'd avoid saltwater for cleaning your jewellery, as it offers no significant benefits and will only damage the metal and components of your jewellery pieces. I also won't recommend saltwater to be used for cleaning lab-grown diamonds either, as it can corrode the metal settings and won't be effective for proper cleaning.

6) Toothpaste — Debunked.

An easily accessible and non-toxic product, toothpaste is another popular choice for jewellery cleaning.

While toothpaste is great for removing surface grime from metals, it contains abrasive agents that can cause micro-scratches and damage the finish of metals and stones. 

I'd steer clear from using toothpaste to clean your fine jewellery pieces, and more specifically, on lab-grown diamonds. The toothpaste can scratch the surface and diminish the diamond's brilliance.

5) Lemon juice — Debunked.

With over 1.8 million TikTok views, lemon juice is another viral jewellery cleaning hack.

BUT, it's not great at all.

Lemon juice can be used to clean tarnish from copper and brass jewellery, but its acidic nature can cause detrimental damage to your pieces, such as discolouration and weakening of the metal setting and gemstones. If you want to keep the integrity of your pieces for longer, especially on pieces with porous or soft gemstones like pearls or turquoise, I'd avoid using lemon juice entirely, as it's too harsh for regular use.

The acidity of lemon juice can also harm the metal settings and affect the appearance of diamonds — whether they're lab-grown or natural.

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4) Vinegar — Recommended with caution.

Look, vinegar is good when it comes to DIY cleaning solutions. Though for jewellery, it should be used with caution.

Vinegar inexpensive and readily available in most households. It's also useful for removing tarnish from certain metals. However, just like lemon juice, its acidic nature can damage gemstones and finishes, and prolonged exposure can weaken the metal settings.

I'd recommend using vinegar cautiously on the metal parts of the jewellery and avoid contact with gemstones and even lab-grown diamonds. Don't soak your jewellery in vinegar for an extended period as it can have a lasting negative effect, and make sure to rinse your pieces thoroughly to remove any acidic residue.

3) Baking soda, aluminium foil and hot water — Recommended with caution.

Baking soda is the second biggest jewellery-cleaning hack, capturing widespread global attention with over 10 million combined TikTok views. The hack involves covering a bowl in aluminium foil and adding a teaspoon of baking soda and hot water before placing your jewellery pieces in for two-to-five minutes. 

Baking soda can effectively remove tarnish... but for silver jewellery only. It's not suitable for other types lke gemstones or plated metal, and I would not recommend using this method for lab-grown diamonds or any diamond jewellery at all.

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While it is inexpensive and easy to use, it can be abrasive and scratch some jewellery finishes, so use this method sparingly, and avoid using it on any jewellery with a delicate or porous stone. Always ensure that your pieces are well-rinsed, too, in order to prevent any residue buildup.

If you're looking to clean finer jewellery with lab-grown or natural diamond pieces, I'd suggest sticking to gentle cleaning solutions to avoid potential damage.

2) Dish soap — Recommended.

Here we have the humble dish soap and water.

This method is generally safe and gentle for most types of jewellery to remove everyday dirt and oils, but may not be as effective for removing heavy tarnish or grime.

For those looking to try this hack, I'd suggest opting for a soft brush such as a toothbrush and milder dish soap with warm water — avoid using hot water as this can damage the gemstones. Make sure to rinse the soap off thoroughly and dry your jewellery with a soft cloth.

For those wanting to clean lab-grown diamonds, regular gentle cleaning using this method is recommended. Not only is it safe and effective but it can keep diamonds sparkling without risk of damage while also maintaining the brilliance of the diamonds!

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1) Ultrasonic cleaner — Recommended.

We're officially at number one!

With over 40 million views and counting, the ultrasonic cleaner has definitely gained the most traction among TikTok users who are looking for efficient ways to clean their jewellery. 

Fom all the tips and tricked I've tried, this one has to take the cake (not sponsored at all!).

Using an ultrasonic cleaner is an effective way to clean your jewellery, especially when it comes to thoroughly removing dirt and grime in hard-to-reach areas.

Just make sure that you opt for an ultrasonic cleaner that is specifically designed for jewellery. While this product is particularly safe to use for most types of jewellery — specifically for diamond or lab-grown diamond pieces — avoid using this method for finer items with delicate settings or non-diamond gemstones like emeralds or opals. If you're unsure, check with a professional or consult with the manufacturer's guidelines.

It's also worth noting that ultrasonic cleaners can be expensive, although they are becoming more widely available in the market. With that being said, an ultrasonic cleaner is certainly worth the investment if you're interested in maintaining the quality of your well-loved jewellery.

What's your favourite hack for cleaning your jewellery? Share with us in the comments below.

Feature Image: TikTok @yisset2122 / @bluenilediamond.