General Care & Cleaning Guide

Jewelry & Accessory Care Guide: Clean, Store, & Maintain

Welcome to your one-stop care guide for keeping Odds & Ends pieces looking their best. Save this page and refer back anytime.

Universal Best Practices (All Jewelry)

  • Last on, first off: Put jewelry on after lotions, perfume, hair products; remove before workouts, swimming, and sleep.

  • Wipe after wear: Use a soft, dry microfiber or jewelry cloth to remove oils and sweat.

  • Avoid chemicals: No bleach, chlorine, household cleaners, or ultrasonic/steam on delicate stones.

  • Smart storage: Store pieces separately in pouches/compartments to prevent scratches and tangles; use anti-tarnish pouches for sterling silver.

  • Travel tip: Use a zip pouch or travel case; clasp necklaces and secure earring backs so they don’t wander.

By Category

Rings

Cleaning: Mix a few drops of mild dish soap in lukewarm water. Soak 5–10 minutes. Gently brush (soft toothbrush), rinse, pat dry. Avoid soaking soft/porous stones (opal, emerald, turquoise, malachite, pearl).

Polishing: Use a gold/silver polishing cloth for metal surfaces only. Avoid abrasive pastes on plated, PVD, or vermeil finishes.

Storing: Individual slots or pouches; keep tungsten and stainless separate from softer metals to avoid scuffs.

Maintaining: For tungsten/carbine: avoid hard drops (can chip). For plated/vermeil: keep dry; remove before hand creams.

Earrings

Cleaning: Wipe posts and backs with alcohol wipes occasionally; for stones, use mild soap and water, then dry well. Pearls/opal: soft damp cloth only—no soak.

Polishing: Jewelry cloth on metal areas. Avoid polishing pads on pavé settings to prevent snagging.

Storing: Keep pairs together on a card or in small zip pouches; use a compartmented organizer to avoid scratches.

Maintaining: Check backs/hooks regularly. Tighten huggie hinges gently if they loosen (or see a jeweler).

Bracelets

Cleaning: Metal/link styles: mild soap + water, soft brush, rinse, dry. Leather: wipe with a barely damp cloth; condition sparingly. Beaded (semi-precious): wipe with a soft, dry cloth; avoid soaks.

Polishing: Polishing cloth for metals only; avoid abrasives on coatings/plating.

Storing: Lay flat or coil loosely; avoid stacking heavy pieces on delicate chains or beads.

Maintaining: Avoid snagging on knits. For magnetic clasps, keep away from strong magnets/electronics.

Necklaces

Cleaning: Chain/pendant styles: soak in mild soapy water, brush gently, rinse, pat dry. Do not soak silk-threaded pearls; wipe pearls with a soft damp cloth after wear.

Polishing: Use a polishing cloth on metal areas only. Avoid polishing stones; clean gently instead.

Storing: Clasp the chain and hang or lay in a separate compartment. Consider a tangle-free travel case.

Maintaining: Rotate delicate chains to reduce friction at the clasp ring. Inspect jump rings and clasps periodically.

Watches (Fashion Watches)

Cleaning: Case/bracelet: wipe with a slightly damp microfiber, then dry. Use a soft brush for links. Leather straps: dry wipe; condition lightly as needed.

Polishing: Use a watch-safe polishing cloth; avoid abrasive compounds, especially on plated finishes or crystals.

Storing: Store face-up in a soft-lined box or watch roll; keep away from strong magnets.

Maintaining: Avoid water unless rated; replace batteries with a professional; remove before heavy workouts.

By Material

Stainless Steel (316L) & Gold PVD

Clean: Soap, water, soft brush; dry thoroughly.

Care: Highly resistant to tarnish; still avoid harsh chemicals and abrasives.

Sterling Silver (925)

Clean: Silver cleaner or mild soap; rinse and dry.

Care: Use anti-tarnish pouches; polish with a silver cloth.

Vermeil / Gold-Filled / Plated

Clean: Brief soap-and-water rinse; pat dry immediately.

Care: Keep dry; avoid friction, perfume, and lotions to prolong finish.

Tungsten Carbide & Titanium

Clean: Mild soap + water; soft cloth dry.

Care: Tungsten is scratch-resistant but brittle—avoid drops. Titanium is very light; avoid abrasives.

Leather (Bracelets)

Clean: Wipe with a barely damp cloth.

Care: Keep dry; avoid oils, perfumes, and soaking. Condition sparingly.

Pearl, Opal, Emerald & Other Delicate Stones

Clean: No ultrasonic/steam. Soft damp cloth only.

Care: Avoid heat, chemicals, and prolonged dryness (for opal). Store in soft pouches.

Specialty Care: Hats & Scarves (Delicate Accessories)

Raffia / Straw / Paper-Braid Hats

  • Cleaning: Spot clean with a slightly damp cloth; use a soft brush to remove dust. Avoid soaking.

  • Shaping: Reshape brim with hands; air dry away from heat.

  • Storage: Store on a hook or hat stand; keep out of crush zones and direct sunlight.

Felt / Wool Hats

  • Cleaning: Lint-roll or brush with a hat brush; spot clean with a damp cloth.

  • Shaping: Light steam from a distance to relax wrinkles; shape gently.

  • Storage: Use a hat box or stand; avoid humidity.

Chiffon / Silk / Satin Scarves

  • Cleaning: Hand wash cold with a silk-safe detergent or dry clean; do not wring.

  • Drying: Lay flat on a towel; reshape edges.

  • Storage: Fold loosely or roll; avoid clips that leave marks.

Knit / Cashmere / Wool Scarves

  • Cleaning: Hand wash cold with wool-safe detergent; avoid agitation.

  • Drying: Roll in a towel to remove water; lay flat to dry.

  • Storage: Fold; use cedar or lavender sachets to deter moths; avoid hanging which can stretch.

Quick Reference: What Not to Do

  • Don’t swim or shower in plated/vermeil jewelry.

  • Don’t use ultrasonic cleaners on pearls, opals, emeralds, turquoise, or glued settings.

  • Don’t store pieces tangled together; friction shortens finish life.

  • Don’t expose leather or raffia to soaking water or high heat.

Need Help?

Have a care question about a specific Odds & Ends piece? Reach out via our contact page—we’ll guide you with material-specific tips so you can wear and enjoy your pieces for years.