If accessorizing under any circumstance is your thing, great! But that also raises the question of how to clean jewelry in the summer. After long hot days in the sand, the ocean, and in chlorine, your favorite necklaces, bracelets, and earrings can start to look dull and grimy. And without proper care, many pieces might not recover.
"Chemical or mineral residue from chlorine or salt water will remain on the jewelry's surface and continue to damage it," Kelsey Perry, formerly of the jewelry brand Silpada, says. "It can lead to tarnishing and corrosion of the finish but can also break down functioning components such as clasps, connection rings, and stone settings."
The first—and most obvious—thing to consider when working out how to clean jewelry during the summer is simply removing your pieces before you dive in any body of water or slather yourself in sunscreen. But if you prefer to keep them on (we get it!), it's key to factor cleaning your accessories into your post-beach routine.
How to clean jewelry made of gold and silver
"If you’re wearing your gold chains daily and not taking them off between sunscreen, pool, shower, shampoo, lotion, your chains can accumulate guck," says Jennifer Fisher, founder of Jennifer Fisher Jewelry.
That means that cleaning your jewelry soon after a trip to the beach or pool is imperative. "I would recommend [buffing] your chains with a soft cloth or a jewelry cleaner appropriate for the type of metal your jewelry is made of at least once a week in order to keep your jewelry maintained and shiny."
For costume jewelry that is not made from premium metal, best to remove altogether before swimming, sweating too profusely, and using sunscreen lest you risk your items tarnishing and leaving the dreaded green cast on your skin.
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Perry agrees. "We suggest washing immediately after exposure and before extended storage," she says, noting that you can also use whatever mild soap you have on hand (be it hand soap or body wash). "Making sure the item is completely rinsed and dried is just as important as the actual cleaning."
How to clean jewelry made of leather
Metal is not the only material to keep off the beach or out of the pool, either. Woven leather pieces can start to peel, dry out, and turn unsavory shades after being introduced to water and sunscreen and even sweat. "Don't wear those pieces in water," Ryane Delka, formerly of Silpada, said. "Keep leather dry at all times and clean with a soft, damp cloth or specially formulated leather cleaner."
How to clean jewelry after applying sunscreen
But even if you're not getting into the water, that doesn't mean you're quite off the hook. You're still going to want to either take off your jewelry if you're going to sweat or wear sunscreen (which, by the way, you absolutely should) and give it some extra TLC when you get home. "You wash your workout clothes; you should wash your jewelry," said Fisher.
Also, be sure to take your jewelry off before you apply sunscreen: Getting sunscreen on it, or even spraying perfume directly, can cause damage, according to designer Monica Vinader. Delka said, "The chemicals in sunscreen and the salt content of sweat act very similar to pool and ocean water, accelerating the rate of tarnishing and corrosion. Sand can act as an abrasive to metal, leather, and stones, while sun exposure can fade components, soften adhesives, and discolor metal."
The key takeaway? Before you head out for any sort of fun in the summer sun, whether it's a day at the beach or a game of tennis, consider removing your jewelry.
