How to Clean Your Earrings: A Guide to Keeping Your Jewellery Sparkling and Safe

Earrings are a cherished part of many jewellery collections, whether it’s your everyday diamond studs, elegant diamond drops, or heirloom pieces passed down through generations. However, with regular wear, earrings can quickly accumulate oils, dirt, sweat, and residue from hair products or skincare, making the stones and metal lose their shine and sparkle. More importantly, unclean earrings can gather bacteria, causing skin irritation or infection in some cases.

At MDT DESIGN, we’re committed to not only creating fine jewellery but helping you care for it. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the safest, most effective methods to clean your earrings at home and explain when it’s best to seek professional care. Of course, we at MDT DESIGN are always readily available to inspect your precious jewels at no extra cost, and provide you knowledge, support, recommendations and options of how to move forward.

Why It’s Important to Clean Your Earrings

Hygiene: Earrings sit close to your skin and pass-through pierced ears, making them especially prone to bacteria build-up.
Aesthetics: Oils and grime can dull the brilliance of diamonds and gemstones, and can even discolour some metals over time.
Longevity: Regular cleaning preserves the integrity of settings and reduces wear from debris.
Comfort: Clean earrings are more comfortable to wear and less likely to irritate sensitive skin.

How Often Should You Clean Your Earrings?

For earrings worn daily, a light clean every one to two weeks is ideal. For special occasion pieces, a clean after each use or every few wears is generally enough. Regardless, a deeper clean and professional inspection every six to 12 months is recommended.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean Your Earrings at Home

What You’ll Need:

  • A small bowl of warm water
  • Mild liquid soap (like dishwashing liquid or baby shampoo)
  • A soft toothbrush or a lint-free cloth
  • Cotton swabs or pads
  • A soft towel

Soak

Fill a bowl with warm (not hot and definitely not boiling) water and a few drops of gentle soap. Let your earrings soak for 5–10 minutes to loosen the oils and debris.

Note: Avoid soaking porous stones like pearls, opals, or emeralds. These should be cleaned with a damp cloth only.

Brush Gently

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to carefully and softly scrub around the stone, under the setting, and post. Pay close attention to hard-to-reach areas behind the stone or under prongs.

Be especially gentle with delicate or antique pieces to avoid loosening any stones in settings.

Rinse Thoroughly

Rinse your earrings under lukewarm water to remove any remaining soap. Be sure to plug the sink drain or better yet, rinse over a bowl or strainer to avoid any accidents.

Dry Completely

Pat dry with a clean towel and allow your earrings to air-dry fully before wearing or storing them. Avoid rubbing vigorously, especially with microfibre cloths that can snag on claws and grains holding the stones in.

Cleaning Tips by Earring Type

Diamond or Gemstone Earrings

Use warm soapy water and a toothbrush regularly.
Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the stone or metal.
Have prongs and settings checked every 6-12 months.

Gold Earrings (Yellow, White or Rose)

Use a mild soap solution; avoid abrasive cloths or pastes.
White gold may eventually need rhodium plating to restore whitness.

Pearl or Opal Earrings

Never soak or scrub. Use a damp, soft cloth to gently wipe after wearing.
Store separately in a soft pouch to avoid scratching.

Platinum Earrings

Platinum is durable, but still benefits from regular cleaning.
Avoid bleach and chlorine, which can weaken the metal over time.

When to Visit a Professional

While home cleaning helps maintain your earrings, a professional clean and inspection ensures their safety and brilliance. You should visit your jeweller if:

  • Your earrings have lost their sparkle despite cleaning
  • You suspect a loose stone or bent post
  • The butterfly are not tight enough or the slips have come loose
  • It’s been more than a year since your last had them checked
  • You own antique or high-value pieces needing specialised care

At MDT DESIGN, all our clients receive complimentary professional cleans and check-ups on their MDT DESIGN jewellery. We’re here to help your earrings shine for a lifetime.

Storage Tips to Keep Earrings Clean Longer

  • Store earrings separately to avoid tangling or scratching each other.
  • Use soft-lined boxes or pouches to cushion delicate pieces.
  • Avoid storing in humid environments, which can speed up tarnishing.
  • Clean skin and hands before handling jewellery to reduce oil transfer.

Final Thoughts

Earrings may be small, but they make a big statement and regular cleaning is essential to keeping them sparkling and hygienic. With just a little time and care, you can preserve the beauty, comfort, and longevity of your favourite pieces.

Whether you’re maintaining heirlooms or refreshing your everyday studs, MDT DESIGN is here to help. Visit our Melbourne boutique anytime for expert advice, professional cleaning, or to explore our beautifully handmade range of sapphire and diamond earrings.

Looking to restore your favourite pair? Book a complimentary clean and check-up with our expert jewellers today.