How to Clean Stainless Steel Jewellery at Home (Without Damaging It)

One of the main reasons women choose stainless steel jewellery is that it requires almost no maintenance. It doesn't tarnish, doesn't corrode, and handles daily wear without complaint. But 'low maintenance' doesn't mean 'zero maintenance' — over time, skin oils, product residue and environmental dust will dull the finish.

The good news: cleaning stainless steel jewellery at home is simple, quick, and requires nothing you don't already have.

What You'll Need

For routine cleaning:

•  Warm water

•  A few drops of mild liquid soap (dish soap works well)

•  A soft cloth or microfibre cloth

•  A soft-bristled toothbrush (optional, for detailed pieces)

For deeper cleaning:

•  The above, plus a small bowl for soaking

What NOT to use:

•  Bleach or chlorine-based cleaners

•  Abrasive scrubbers or steel wool

•  Ultrasonic cleaners (can damage plated pieces)

•  Harsh chemical jewellery dips (designed for silver, not stainless steel)

Routine Cleaning (After Every Few Wears)

1. Dampen a soft cloth with warm water

2. Add a tiny drop of mild soap

3. Gently wipe the surface of the piece

4. Use a toothbrush to reach into any chain links, settings or detailed areas

5. Rinse thoroughly under warm (not hot) running water

6. Dry completely with a clean, dry cloth — don't leave water to air-dry, as this can leave mineral deposits

This takes about two minutes and keeps pieces looking polished and new.

Deep Cleaning (Monthly or When Needed)

1. Fill a small bowl with warm water and a few drops of mild soap

2. Place the piece in the bowl and let it soak for 5–10 minutes

3. Gently scrub with a soft toothbrush, paying attention to chains and clasps where residue accumulates

4. Rinse thoroughly under running water

5. Dry completely with a soft cloth

For very detailed or textured pieces, a cotton bud can help reach small crevices.

Caring for Gold-Plated Stainless Steel Specifically

If your stainless steel piece has 18K gold plating (as Aure's plated pieces do), the cleaning process is similar but with additional care:

•  Be particularly gentle on plated surfaces — no abrasive scrubbing

•  Shorter soaking times (2–3 minutes rather than 10)

•  Pat dry rather than rubbing dry

•  The stainless steel base means the piece won't corrode even with the plating, but gentle handling preserves the gold finish for longer

Keeping Pieces Clean Between Washes

•  Wipe down with a soft dry cloth after each wear to remove skin oils and product residue

•  Apply perfume, hairspray and lotion before putting on jewellery — not after

•  Remove before swimming (chlorine) or using cleaning products

•  Store in a soft pouch or cloth bag to prevent scratching

Final Thoughts

Stainless steel jewellery is genuinely easy to care for — a few minutes of cleaning every few weeks is all it takes to keep it looking showroom-brilliant for years.

Shop Aure's low-maintenance, high-quality stainless steel collection at aurejewellery.com. ✨