How to sanitise your jewellery without harming them

We know that you're well aware of the importance of regular hand washing, especially in these Covid-19 times. However, did you know that it is also crucial to keep your jewellery clean too?

Germs can build around your favourite accessories, especially rings.

Since alcohol disintegrates bacteria, it might seem like the best option to sanitise your favourite #armcandies with disinfectants.

Well, no. Jewellery - whether it's embellished with semi-precious stones, plated with gold, or fashioned with sterling silver - is delicate.

Here, we show you four easy steps to keep your favourite pieces squeaky clean without destroying them with hand sanitiser.

Step 1: Prepare a simple hand soap and lukewarm water mixture

All you have to do is to make sure that your chosen hand soap does not contain alcohol. You can also use baby shampoos, such as Johnson's No More Tears.

Step 2: Dip, not soak, your jewellery into the mixture for about five to 10 seconds

Due to the delicate nature of semi-precious stones, soaking them is a big no-no as it will cause them to lose their shine.

Similarly, exposing gold-plated jewellery to water for a prolonged duration will speed up its tarnishing process.

Hence, we recommend dipping your accoutrements into the mixture for a maximum of 10 seconds before pulling them out.

Step 3: Use a soft toothbrush and scrub gently

To remove dirt, gently rub your jewellery using your fingertips. For areas that are hard to reach, use a toothbrush to scrub them clean.

Step 4: Rinse under lukewarm running water until clean

Once they are clean, dry them with a towel immediately. Do not let them sit in running water for a prolonged time.

For the latest updates on the coronavirus, visit here.

This article was first published in Her World Online.