Cleaning your bangle bracelets at regular intervals and keeping them in a dust-free environment, will help prolong their life and keep them in the best possible condition. Gold and silver bracelets often build up a thin layer of grime consisting of skin and body oils that will cover the surface and completely dull the natural shine. Cleaning your bangles can be a simple process if you have the correct tools and the proper know how.
Silver
Sterling silver, like other precious metals, will oxidize with time. Clean your silver bangle bracelets with a mild soap and water solution, allowing the water to bead up, and then patting dry with a soft cloth. For plain sterling silver jewelry (with no stones), you can also get good results using commercial silver dip liquid, polishing paste, or polishing cloth.
Gold
Gold will not tarnish, but it can be dirtied by oil in your skin or by body lotion. Use a mild soapy water solution to wash your gold bangles. Gold and silver could be scratched if brushed too hard, so make sure you use a soft cloth or be gentle if using a soft brush.
New technologies allow for better and more efficient jewelry cleaning. Most popular of these cleaners are ultrasonic and ionic. These cleaning methods are usually reserved for commercial or industry use due to the cost of the equipment. However, units are now being produced for home use and the prices are starting to come down.
Ultrasonic
Ultrasonic cleaners are machines that clean jewelry by exposing them to extreme sound waves. Ultrasonic cleaning has been proven to be the most efficient method of removing contaminants such as grease, oil, fingerprints and oxides. For gold bangles, especially pieces that do not contain colored gemstones; an ultrasonic cleaning machine may be appropriate.
Ultrasonic is not advised for pieces that contain stones or other embellishments, which could be loosened or dislodged while using the machine.
Ionic
Ionic cleaners do not use heat, sound, or abrasives, and they do an excellent job of removing tarnish and dirt quickly. Ionic cleaning machines not only clean your gold and silver bangles, but also stones such as emeralds, opals, pearls and all other soft and porous stones.
Keeping your gold and silver bangles clean and tarnish free should be a priority for everyone. A clean bangle is a happy bangle.
