6 Expert Ways To Clean Dirty, Gunky Earrings

6 Expert Ways To Clean Dirty, Gunky Earrings

Believe it or not, earrings are exposed to more germs than pretty much any other piece of jewelry, even rings. We wash our hands on a regular basis, but not so much our ears! This means any dirt or germs in this area are going to hang around for longer. Think about it: shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, moisturizers, and even sweat... all this junk is going to find its way to your ear.

It’s really important that we take a couple of minutes to regularly clean our earrings. In doing so, we will protect our ears from infection and irritation but also help our earrings to last longer. Over time, grease and dirt can coat the surface of our earrings, meaning they lose some of their shine and luster. This can shorten the life of your favorite pair, which is something we all want to avoid.

So, let’s look at six ways you can keep your earrings clean and looking like new.

1. Use a toothpick

Some earrings are tiny, and others are really intricate and dainty. If you have a pair that is hard to clean, you can use a toothpick. Then, follow the cleaning tips recommended below to ensure they are sparkling!

2. Soak in hydrogen peroxide

This solution acts as a disinfectant, so it’s going to clean away any yucky germs. You can buy hydrogen peroxide at any drugstore. Pour a small amount into a small cup or bowl and drop the earrings inside. Leave them in for a couple of minutes.. As soon as you take them out, just give them a quick pass with a Q-tip to make sure there is no hidden gunk left behind.

3. Clean sterling silver with a specialist silver wipe

If your earrings are sterling silver, you might notice that they begin to tarnish over time. The products you spray on your hair and face, and even water, can affect the look of the silver. Using a specialist wipe imbued with a gentle silver cleaning formula will bring back the shiny look of your earrings.

4. Soak diamonds in simple dish soap

If you have a dazzling pair of diamonds in your ears, you are going to want to keep them looking their best. Diamonds do dull over time and are susceptible to looking cloudy once attacked by dirt. Use a small bowl or cup and fill with hot tap water. Then, add around 4 drops of dish soap. Leave the earrings in the water until it is tepid. Use a toothbrush or Q-tip and carefully clean away any grime. Pop back in the liquid for another couple of minutes and then take out and leave to dry. They’ll look fabulous once again!

5. Leave in boiling water

Boiling water can scald, so work carefully. Once the kettle has boiled, pour about half a cupful of water into a bowl. Gently slide the earrings in and leave for about 25 minutes. Depending on how dirty or intricate they are, clean with a Q-tip, toothpick or soft toothbrush. You’re not going to restore your super cute hoops or ravishing rubies to their former glory with this method, but it will disinfect them and get rid of some of the junk from earrings.

6. Disinfect earrings inside the ear

If you’ve just had your ears pierced, you must clean them every day. It is not recommended that you take them out to do so. In this case, you will need a specialist solution or rubbing alcohol. You will take a cotton swab and very gently rub over the earring's front and back. You can do this twice daily for around six weeks or until they’ve healed.

If you’re looking for some super-cute or fashionable earrings, we’ve found some of the best around at the moment.

Check out these high-quality Antique Quartz Drop Earrings by allgoodlaces.

They’re going to go with any outfit and will add a touch of glamour to your day or evening look.

This trio of hoops is going to give a trendy look to a well-loved style. Allgoodlaces' Golden Big Women’s Hoops are a real head-turner! 

These striking Frond Earrings are going to bring a bit of a statement look and add a killer vibe to your ears. Go for it!

Finally, we love these Gold & Zinc Alloy Dangling Leaf Earrings. Perfect for a boho chic feel, or even to dress up with a fancy outfit.