How Often Should I Clean My Jewelry?

How often you should clean your jewelry depends on what you're wearing, how often you're wearing it and what kind of finish it has. The pieces you reach for every single day will naturally collect more oils, lotion, soap and everyday grime than something you pull out for special occasions. The good news is that most CMD jewelry doesn't need an elaborate cleaning routine to keep looking beautiful.

For everyday pieces, I recommend a little regular care rather than waiting until they look like they desperately need it. A quick wipe when you notice fingerprints or buildup and a more thorough cleaning or polishing every month or so is usually plenty. Just remember that cleaning and polishing aren't quite the same thing.

How Often Should You Polish Your Jewelry?

For sterling silver, gold-fill and solid gold jewelry, a polishing cloth is one of my favorite tools for regular maintenance. Our polishing cloths are infused with micro-abrasives and a cleansing agent that help remove tarnish and restore shine without the mess of liquid tarnish removers.

I generally suggest polishing about once a month if you wear a piece regularly, but there's no need to put it on your calendar. Let the jewelry tell you when it needs a little attention. If the metal is looking dull or you've started noticing tarnish, fingerprints or buildup, give it a polish. Because polishing cloths are mildly abrasive, more is not necessarily better and I don't recommend using one every day.

Why Does My Polishing Cloth Turn Black?

If your polishing cloth starts looking black or dirty, that means it's doing its job. The dark areas are the result of tarnish and residue being removed from the surface of your jewelry, so don't toss the cloth the first time it changes color.

You can continue using it until it's heavily soiled and no longer polishing effectively. In our production studio, where these cloths get quite the workout, we typically replace them after roughly 50 to 75 cleanings.

What About Oxidized Silver?

This is the big exception. Do not use a polishing cloth on the oxidized, or blackened, areas of your jewelry. The dark finish is intentional, and polishing it will begin removing that patina and revealing the brighter sterling silver underneath.

Oxidation also naturally changes with wear, especially on pieces that experience a lot of friction. If you love that deep black finish and yours has faded over time, take a look at my guide to oxidizing silver jewelry at home or read more about how oxidized silver changes with wear.

A Little Care Goes a Long Way

You don't need to obsess over keeping your jewelry perfectly polished. I actually love the way pieces change as they're worn, and a little evidence of a life well lived doesn't bother me one bit. But if you want your CMD looking bright and shiny, paying attention to buildup and giving it some occasional care will go a long way.

For more information about cleaning different metals, caring for oxidized finishes and keeping your jewelry in good shape, visit our Product Care guide.

Here’s to jewelry that gets worn enough to need a good cleaning,
Colleen

© Colleen Mauer Designs. All rights reserved.
Published: February 11, 2021
Updated: August 19, 2026