The Ultimate Guide on How to Clean Earrings at Home

We all have that favourite pair of earrings we reach for every day, whether it’s a sparkling set of premium diamond studs or classic silver hoops. But over time, exposure to makeup, hairspray, natural skin oils, and everyday dust can dull their shine. If your favourite pieces have lost their sparkle, fear not! Knowing how to clean earrings at home is an essential skill for protecting your jewellery pieces and keeping them looking brand new for those special moments.

Here at Faith Jewellers, we’ve always believed in helping our customers care for their affordable luxury pieces. We pride ourselves on making sure your jewellery looks just as beautiful years down the line as it did the moment you bought it.

In this guide, we will teach you exactly how to clean earrings, walking you through a simple, safe, and effective routine. By the end of this article, you will know the best way to clean earrings based on their specific materials, ensuring your jewellery collection stays brilliant, hygienic, and ready to wear.

What you’ll need:

Before you start your earring-cleaning routine, gather your supplies. When considering what to clean earrings with, it’s always best to start with the gentlest options. You can use gentle household items, but for that “just left the jewellers” shine, we highly recommend our trusted Hagerty cleaning range.

How to clean earrings: The step-by-step process

This general method is perfect for most everyday fashion jewellery, solid gold, and sturdy gemstones.

Step 1: Prepare Your Cleaning Solution

Mix a few drops of mild dish soap into a small bowl of warm water. Swish the water around gently with your fingers until suds form. Avoid using boiling water, as sudden temperature changes can damage certain gemstones. (Alternatively, prepare your Hagerty Jewel Jewellery Cleaner dip as per the jar’s instructions).

Step 2: Soak Your Jewellery

Place your earrings into the soapy solution and let them soak for 10 to 15 minutes. If you’re using the Hagerty Cleaner Dip, only soak them for up to 2 minutes!

• Pro-Tip: Soaking loosens up hardened hairspray, makeup, and natural oils, making the scrubbing step much easier and reducing the risk of scratching the metal.

Step 3: Gently Scrub the Crevices

Brush the earrings very gently using the soft-bristled baby toothbrush. Pay special attention to the prongs, settings, and the back of the earring where grime tends to build up. Use a light, dabbing motion rather than a harsh scrubbing motion.

Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly

Transfer the earrings to your second bowl filled with clean, warm water to rinse off any soapy residue.

• Safety Note: Always rinse your earrings in a bowl rather than directly under the tap to prevent them from accidentally going down the drain!

Step 5: Dry and Polish

Pat the earrings completely dry using your lint-free microfibre cloth. Leave them on the cloth to air-dry for an additional 15 minutes before storing them in your jewellery box. For the best finish, use the Hagerty Jewel Cloth 30x36cm to gently buff the metal and jewels, leaving a brilliant, streak-free shine.

Material-specific cleaning advice

While the method above is generally fantastic for cleaning earrings, different metals and stones require specific care. Here is how to adjust your routine for your specific pieces.

How to clean silver/ sterling silver earrings

When cleaning silver earrings, tarnish is your main enemy. Tarnish is a natural reaction between silver and sulfur in the air. If warm soapy water isn’t enough, use a dedicated silver polish and polishing cloth to buff away the tarnish.

• The Method: To effortlessly remove stubborn black tarnish and restore your pieces’ bright white shine, we highly recommend using the Hagerty Silver Jewellery Cleaner. After a quick dip and rinse, buff the metal with the Hagerty Silver Cloth. These products are specifically formulated to gently lift oxidation without scratching the soft silver underneath.
• Alternative method: For heavy tarnish on sterling silver, make a paste with 1 tablespoon of baking soda and a few drops of water. Rub the paste gently onto the silver with a soft cloth, rinse thoroughly, and dry.

Learn more about cleaning silver jewellery in our dedicated guide:

How to clean gold earrings

Gold is a soft metal and can easily scratch when using abrasive cleaners.

• The Method: Stick strictly to the warm water and mild dish soap method, or use a trusted gold-safe formula like the Hagerty Jewel Jewellery Cleaner. If your gold earrings are heavily soiled, let them soak for no more than 2 minutes. Buff them gently with your Hagerty Jewel Cloth to restore their gorgeous, warm shine.

Learn more about cleaning gold jewellery in our dedicated guide:

How to clean diamond earrings

Diamonds naturally attract grease, which is why they can look cloudy after a few wears.

• The Method: To bring back that premium sparkle, you need to break down the oils. A 10-minute soak in warm, soapy water (or the Hagerty Jewel cleaner), followed by a gentle scrub behind the diamond setting, will dislodge trapped dirt and oils. You can also add a splash of club soda to your dish soap and water mixture; the carbonation helps loosen trapped dirt. Rinse well and dry thoroughly.

How to clean pearl earrings

Pearls are incredibly delicate, organic gems. They can easily lose their lustre if exposed to harsh chemicals, extended soaking, or abrasive brushing.

• The Method: Never soak pearl earrings! Instead, lightly dampen a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a tiny drop of very mild soap. Gently wipe the pearls clean, then wipe them again with a fresh, damp cloth to remove any soap residue. Lay them flat to dry.

How to clean earring backs

Earring backs (especially butterfly backs) are notorious for trapping dirt, dead skin, and oils.

• The Method: Drop the earring backs into your warm, soapy water and let them soak for 20 minutes. Use a toothpick or a cotton swab to gently push out the grime trapped in the tiny curled metal loops of the butterfly back, then rinse and dry.

How to clean and disinfect earrings

If you have sensitive ears or are wearing earrings for the first time in a while, you need to know how to clean and disinfect them to prevent infection.

• The Method: Moisten a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol. Carefully wipe the earring post (the part that goes through your earlobe) and the earring back. Do not submerge the entire earring in alcohol, as it can dissolve the glue holding stones in place or damage delicate gems like pearls and opals.

Troubleshooting / Common issues

Issue: My stones still look cloudy after cleaning.

Solution: The grime might be trapped underneath the gemstone setting. Use an interdental brush (the tiny brushes used for braces) to gently reach behind the stone where a toothbrush cannot fit.

Issue: My silver earrings are turning black even after DIY cleaning.

Solution: This is severe tarnish. If home remedies aren’t cutting it, the Hagerty Silver Jewellery Cleaner is your best next step. If you’re still struggling, our friendly, highly trained staff in-store are always happy to assist you with advice or professional cleaning services.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Does saline solution clean earrings?

Saline solution is excellent for cleaning your actual earlobes (especially new piercings) to prevent infection, but it is not an effective jewellery cleaner. It lacks the surfactants needed to break down makeup, oils, and tarnish that build up on the earrings. Follow the steps above for comprehensive advice on cleaning earrings.

Can I clean earrings with vinegar?

Yes, white vinegar can be used to clean solid gold and sterling silver earrings. You can soak them in a mixture of 1/2 cup white vinegar and 2 tablespoons baking soda for 2-3 hours. However, never use vinegar on pearls, opals, or any soft, porous gemstones, as the acidity will permanently damage them.

Can I use nail polish remover to clean earrings?

Absolutely not. Some nail polish removers contain acetone, which is an incredibly harsh chemical. It will strip the finish off fashion jewellery, dissolve the adhesives holding crystals in place, and permanently ruin certain gemstones. Always stick to gentle soap and water.

Keep your earrings occasion-ready with Faith Jewellers

Taking a few minutes to care for your jewellery not only restores its brilliant sparkle but also helps keep it hygienic and safe for everyday wear. Whether you are gently buffing your pearls or scrubbing your diamond studs, knowing how to care for your pieces ensures they will last for years to come.

Next Steps: Now that your earrings are sparkling clean and ready to wear, take inventory of your jewellery box. Are there any tangled necklaces or tarnished rings that could benefit from a quick clean using your Hagerty products?

Make your jewellery care routine effortless. Shop our full range of Hagerty Cleaning Products today to keep your collection looking flawless, or explore our wide selection of modern earrings online or in-store!

Your next read:

• How to Clean Jewellery
• How to Clean Diamonds – A Complete Guide
• How to Clean Swarovski Jewellery – A Complete Care Guide