8 Tips To Keep Cheap Jewelry From Tarnishing

Table of Contents

• 1. Store Your Jewelry in Airtight Bags
• 2. Keep Everything Dry-Seriously
• 3. Avoid Lotions, Perfumes, & Sprays
• 4. Take Jewelry Off Before Showering or Swimming
• 5. Gently Clean After Each Wear
• 6. Add Anti-Tarnish Strips to Your Storage
• 7. Use Clear Nail Polish as a Barrier
• 8. Store Jewelry Pieces Separately
• References
• Images Sources

1. Store Your Jewelry in Airtight Bags

Let's start with something ridiculously simple: where you keep your jewelry matters more than you might think.

air is the enemy when it comes to keeping metals from tarnishing, especially if you're dealing with plated or low-quality metals.

you know those little resealable plastic bags?

total game-changer.

pop your pieces in there when you're not wearing them and you'll seriously slow down how fast they oxidize.

no fancy storage required!

got a lot of jewelry?

You can even get a little drawer unit and pop everything in bags by type-rings in one, earrings in another.

or go for small velvet pouches if you want something cuter.

Humidity speeds things up too.

So if you live somewhere really humid, keeping your jewelry out on a dresser is just asking for tarnish.

Drawers are your friend.

Airtight doesnt just mean sealed-it also means dry.

so dont toss damp jewelry in a bag.

give it a quick wipe first.

you can even double-up by adding anti-tarnish strips inside the bag (more on that later).

Double protection.

Also: dont store your jewelry in the bathroom.

It's too damp, and all that steam from showers is slowly ruining your pieces.

Here's a little comparison of storage options:

2. Keep Everything Dry-Seriously

moisture is one of the fastest ways to ruin your favorite ring or necklace.

Even if it looks totally fine after a quick splash, water speeds up oxidation.

So rule #1: dry your hands before putting your rings on.

Just a little leftover dampness can kick-start the tarnishing process.

sweat counts too!

if you're heading to the gym or even just walking around on a hot day, its a good idea to leave the bling at home.

and dont store your jewelry somewhere humid like the bathroom.

that's like giving tarnish a free pass.

If your jewelry does get wet, pat it dry gently with a soft cloth-dont just let it air dry.

That can leave little water spots.

Also, avoid laying damp jewelry on wood.

The acids in wood finishes can mess with the metal even more.

Quick tip: silica gel packets (those little things that say "dont eat" in new shoes) are awesome to throw in your jewelry box.

they suck up moisture like champs.

For reference, here's where you should never leave your jewelry:

3. Avoid Lotions, Perfumes, & Sprays

This one's easy to forget, but oh so important.

All those nice-smelling lotions and body sprays?

your jewelry hates them.

when you apply lotion or perfume, the chemicals stick to the metal.

over time, that buildup can lead to dullness and tarnish-especially on gold-plated stuff.

the trick?

Do your skincare and perfume before putting on your jewelry.

Give everything a second to absorb, then accessorize.

And if you're reapplying stuff throughout the day (hello, hand cream), take your rings off for a sec.

perfumes are especially rough on metals with finishes or coatings.

Even a little mist can break them down faster.

If your jewelry feels greasy or sticky at the end of the day, it's probably got lotion residue.

Gently wipe it down with a soft cloth.

hair products count too!

That little mist from hairspray can coat your earrings.

Maybe style your hair first, then put them in.

Here's a mini checklist to avoid lotion-perfume damage:

• ✅ apply lotion before jewelry

• ✅ let perfume dry first

• ✅ wipe jewelry after wearing

• ✅ store jewelry clean and dry

4. Take Jewelry Off Before Showering or Swimming

even though its tempting to leave your necklace on all day and night, water and metal dont mix well-especially in pools or the ocean.

Shampoo, conditioner, and soap can leave a filmy buildup.

chlorine?

Super harsh.

Saltwater?

also bad.

So yeah, showers, baths, pools, hot tubs, beach days… all no-go zones.

some people even recommend not sleeping in your jewelry, because sweat (especially overnight) adds up too.

The more you expose your jewelry to water, the faster it fades, tarnishes, or straight-up breaks.

This rule is especially true for anything gold-plated or "fashion" jewelry (aka the cute $5 earrings you got online).

also: wet jewelry = soft jewelry.

If you try to wipe or clean it when its damp, you could actually scratch it.

Table of water Risks:

5. Gently Clean After Each Wear

you dont need anything fancy.

Just a soft cloth (like the kind you'd use on sunglasses) is perfect for a quick post-wear wipe-down.

Why clean if it looks clean?

because invisible things like oils, lotions, and pollution are quietly doing their damage.

Wiping your jewelry after wearing it helps get rid of skin oils and grime before they turn into tarnish.

You can also use mild soap and warm water now and then-but avoid anything too harsh.

no alcohol, no jewelry cleaners meant for fine metals.

never scrub or use a toothbrush unless you know your piece can take it.

For most cheap jewelry, gentle is best.

Microfiber cloths work great.

you can also get polishing cloths made just for costume jewelry-they're not expensive and last forever.

make it a habit-like brushing your teeth.

Wear jewelry, wipe it down, store it safely.

easy.

here's a little after-wear routine you can follow:

• take off jewelry

• gently wipe with dry soft cloth

• check for gunk (especially in chain links)

• Store in a sealed pouch or bag

6. Add Anti-Tarnish Strips to Your Storage

These little strips are like magic-no joke.

They absorb moisture and chemicals that cause tarnish.

you just pop them in with your jewelry and forget about it.

they're super cheap and last a few months before you need to replace them.

great for drawers, boxes, or those resealable bags we talked about earlier.

you dont need one per item-just drop a couple in wherever your jewelry lives and you're good.

look for ones that are safe for silver, gold, brass, and mixed metals.

Most will say on the package.

Even better?

combine these strips with silica gel packets and you've got double defense.

a few types of anti-tarnish helpers:

7. Use Clear Nail Polish as a Barrier

This is kind of a hack, but it works.

a thin coat of clear nail polish can act like a little shield for your jewelry.

you mostly want to do this on areas that touch your skin-like the inside of rings or the back of earrings.

Let it dry completely before wearing.

and reapply every few wears since it can chip off over time.

this doesn't work on everything, but it's awesome for pieces that always turn your fingers green.

if you're crafty, you can even try jewelry sealant (they make it just for this purpose), but clear nail polish does the trick in a pinch.

It's not permanent, but it gives you a few more wears before tarnish shows up.

heads up: only use this trick on cheaper pieces.

don't go painting your heirlooms!

best spots to coat:

• inside of rings

• posts of earrings

• clasps and necklace backs

• Metal parts that touch skin

8. Store Jewelry Pieces Separately

Clumping your jewelry together in a pile is basically asking for scratches, snags, and fast wear-and-tear.

Even cheap pieces can scratch each other-especially metal against metal, or if rhinestones are involved.

use dividers, small pouches, or even ice cube trays to keep things from touching.

your jewelry will thank you.

Tangled chains are more likely to break and harder to clean, so storing them straight is key.

storing things separately also helps you see what you have.

ever forget you owned something cute because it was buried?

And if something does start to tarnish, keeping it separate keeps the damage from spreading.

Some fun dIY storage ideas:

• pill organizers (yup!)

• teacups or tiny bowls

• compartmented craft boxes

• Travel jewelry rolls

So yeah-cheap jewelry doesn't have to look cheap.

A little extra care goes a long way in keeping your cute pieces from fading, turning colors, or breaking down.

Honestly, most of these tips take less than 30 seconds to do once you're in the habit.

next time you score an affordable piece you love, show it some tLC-and it'll keep turning heads way longer.

You got this!

Sources and References

• Jewelers of America - Jewelry Care Tips

• Good Housekeeping - How to Clean Jewelry

• Real Simple - How to Store Jewelry

• The Spruce - Prevent Tarnish on Costume Jewelry

• Reddit Threads - r/jewelrycare

• Personal experience + common industry practices

Images Sources and Attributions

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