How to Clean Earrings?

For gold, silver, platinum, and most solid metals

1. Mix warm water with a drop of mild dish soap.
2. Soak the earrings for 10–20 minutes to loosen dirt and oils.
3. Brush gently with a soft toothbrush, paying attention to crevices and settings.
4. Rinse in clean water (hold them or use a strainer so nothing goes down the drain).
5. Dry and polish with a soft lint-free cloth. A jewelry polishing cloth restores shine to silver.

Disinfecting the posts/backs: Wipe the earring posts and backs with a cotton pad dipped in rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide before wearing — this is especially important for pierced ears.

Special cases

• Pearls and opals: don't soak. Wipe gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth only — soaps and soaking can damage them.
• Gold-plated or costume jewelry: avoid long soaking and harsh scrubbing, which wear off the plating. Wipe with a barely damp cloth and dry immediately.
• Gemstones: most are fine with mild soapy water, but some (like emeralds) are fragile — check before soaking.

Avoid: Toothpaste, bleach, and abrasive cleaners, which can scratch metal and damage stones.

You may also want How to Clean Granite Countertops? or How to Clean Gutters Safely?.

Neighbouring how-tos sit on other Cleaning & Stain Removal questions. From the homepage you can ask a follow-up of your own — no account needed.