Opting for fashion jewelry is a great trendy way to express your personal style without spending too much money. Despite being made of base metals, it can look just as elegant, not to mention that you can use it to spice up your outfit and try out endless different styles. The problem is – it's frustrating to see your jewelry starting to rust and change color after a few wears. Luckily, with the right care, you can restore your jewelry and keep it looking like new. Read on for some tips on how to remove rust from jewelry and keep it beautiful.
Contents
Rust or tarnish?
Before I move on to my tips, let's talk a little about themDifference between rust and tarnishing.
Sooner or later you will find that your costume jewelry will turn brownish, change texture and become rough. The rust takes care of that.
Rost, which is usuallycolored orange or brown, occurs when base metals such as iron or steel come into contact with oxygen and moisture. Today I'm going to talk about how to prevent rusting and how to remove it when it does develop.
Tribulation is something else entirely.Tarnishing affects other metals, such as silver, copper and brass. silver e.g.doesn `t rust, but can tarnish easily.
The reaction of the metal with sulfur dioxide or oxygen forms a gray or black film on the metal. While the film built up serves to protect the underlying metal in outdoor use, it will cause your jewelry to lose its luster and turn black.
How to remove rust from jewelry
At some point you will probably notice that some rusty spots have built up on your jewelry. That doesn't mean it's time to get rid of those parts. Let's take a look at some easy, affordable ways you can remove rust from the comfort of your own home. Better still, most of these methods work well for removing tarnish as well.
Exfoliate with vinegar, baking soda and aluminum foil
As my favorite scrub for removing rust from jewelry, this method is one of the most effective ways to remove minor rust spots from smooth surfaced jewelry. It works particularly well with stainless steel pieceschrome plating, but you should avoid scrubbing plated jewelry as you can easily scrub away the lining.
You will need white vinegar, half a teaspoon of baking soda, and some aluminum foil rolled into a ball.Spray the vinegar liberally on the rust stain, sprinkle with baking soda, and gently scrub with the aluminum ball.
It shouldn't take long for the piece to regain the shine it once had. Both rust and tarnish stains fade with ease.
aluminum foil and a solution of baking soda and water
Aluminum foil seems to be the ultimate quick fix for rusty jewelry.The following homemade solution calls for more foil, ¼ cup baking soda, and 1 cup water. You will also need a glass bowl and saucepan.
Line the glass bowl with aluminum foil and place the rusty item on the bottom, touching the foil. Heat a cup of water in the pan, add the baking soda and stir until completely dissolved. Then pour the solution over the jewelry and leave it on until the rust begins to disappear, but no longer than 30 minutes.
Note that extremely rusty jewelry will take longer to restore. For even better results, use a toothbrush to gently scrub the remaining residue. Also, always dry the jewelry well before storing it away. Moisture accelerates rust, so avoid exposing your jewelry to it for too long.
White vinegar and water solution
White vinegar is another handy ingredient since you probably already have it in your kitchen.For a quick fix,Mix equal parts vinegar and water and soak the jewelry in the solution. You can let it soak for hours. Once you've removed the parts, use a soft toothbrush to reach the holes and chains and completely remove the rust.
If your jewelry is badly rusted, you can soak itplain vinegar and table salt, but be careful not to leave them in for too long as vinegar can damage the lining. Moderately rusty jewelry should be as good as new within 30 minutes.
lemon (lime) and salt
Lemon and lime have a long history and reputation for cleaning just about anything.Their natural acids effectively remove rust and tarnish and are harmless. Therefore, there are a number of ways you can get rid of rust with the help of these citrus fruits:
- Squeeze a lemon (or lime) to make a glass of lemonade. Add a teaspoon of salt and let the jewelry soak for several hours. Remove the remaining grate with some lemon (or lime) zest.
- Cut the lemon (lime) in half and rub over the rust spots. The natural citric acid in these citrus fruits makes them ideal for scrubbing. And because it's natural, you don't risk destroying your jewelry.
- Squeeze the juice of a lemon (lime) and completely immerse a piece of jewelry in it. Again, use a soft toothbrush to scrub off the rust.
soap, baby shampoo and water
Although one of the main causes of rust is moisture, a drop of water can't hurt. Just remember that you shouldNever soak costume jewelry in water or leave it in water for too long.
Soap and water is a traditional method, but it's very effective. Soap not only cleans your jewelry but also neutralizes the musty smell or rust.
You will need equal parts liquid soap or baby shampoo and water. Baby shampoo is milder, so it may be better for cleaning badly damaged parts. Liquid soap works just as well though.
The mixture should be the consistency of toothpaste so you can rub those hard-to-reach areas with a soft-bristled toothbrush. When finished, rinse the jewelry with cold water and dry with a soft cloth.
toothpaste
You will be surprised to know thatToothpaste is a popular all-purpose jewelry cleaner. However, while plain toothpaste is great for cleaning tarnished silver, you need to add a part of baking soda to remove rust from costume jewelry.
Mix equal parts toothpaste and baking soda into a thick paste. Then apply the paste to the rusty area and leave it on for 10 minutes.
Use a scrub pad or toothbrush to scrub vigorously to remove any remaining rust. Then rinse the items with cold water and dry them.
Alcohol
French brandyis something you can buy at any local drug store or even online, so this solution might just be for you. All you have to do is pour some alcohol in a bowl and soak your jewelry for about half an hour. You can always gently scrub away the remaining rust and repeat the whole process if necessary.
This method will not work on badly damaged parts, as you risk further damage.
How to prevent jewelry from rusting
Learnhow to protect your jewelry and prevent rustingcan make the difference. With proper care and maintenance, you may not even have to worry about removing rust. So here are a few ideas on how to prevent your favorite items from rusting:
- Apply lotion and perfume before putting on jewelry.A water-based perfume can increase the likelihood of rust, as can body lotion. Therefore apply body lotion and perfume before jewelry and let it dry well.
- Store your jewelry in a dry place.Avoid storing your favorite items in the bathroom or other damp, humid areas.
- Store jewelry in clear bags and sealed containers.Store your items in sealable plastic bags. The plastic layer serves as air protection. Then store the pouch in a closed container to further limit the amount of moisture and oxygen that can reach the jewelry.
- Do not wear jewelry while swimming.Of course, swimming means getting your jewelry wet and damaging it further. In addition, chlorinated water in swimming pools supports the rusting process.
- Wipe your jewelry regularly.A light cleaning of the jewelry with a soft microfiber cloth is sufficient. Feel free to add a drop of olive oil for extra shine. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Final Thoughts
It is equally important to know how to prevent rust from forming and how to remove it from jewelry.The lifespan of your jewelry depends on how well you treat it. Fortunately, with proper care and maintenance, your jewelry will retain its beauty and shine for years to come. Choose the option that works best for you, but make sure to give your favorite pieces enough well-deserved attention.