How To Clean Earrings: Your Complete Guide to Caring For Your Earrings

November 10, 2025

There’s something truly special about slipping on a beautiful pair of earrings — they frame your face, complete your look, and often hold sentimental value. But knowing how to clean your earrings and what to use to clean them is just as important as choosing the right pair. Routine cleaning not only maintains their brilliant shine but also keeps your earrings hygienic and safe for everyday wear.

Whether you’re wondering what to clean your earrings with or simply looking to refresh your favorite pieces, a little care goes a long way in keeping them as radiant and comfortable as the day you got them.

Why Clean Your Earrings Regularly?

Earrings, especially those worn often, naturally collect oils, dirt, makeup residue, and even bacteria over time. This buildup can dull their sparkle and, more importantly, cause skin irritation or infections. Over time, exposure to air and moisture can also lead to tarnish, affecting the metal’s shine. Regular cleaning and understanding how to clean your earrings properly ensures they continue to look their best, feel comfortable, and stay safe for your skin.

What to Use to Clean Earrings

If you are wondering how to clean earrings at home, the good news is that most solutions are already available there. Here are some methods we recommend:

GENTLE SOAP AND WARM WATER

Sometimes the simplest approach is the best. Cleaning your earrings with soap and warm water is not only easy, it's also the safest method for everyday care. It effectively removes dirt, oils, and buildup without risking irritation to your skin.

To clean your earrings this way,

Fill a small bowl with warm water and add 2-3 drops of mild dish soap.
Place your earrings in the solution and let them soak for 5 to 20 minutes. If they’re particularly grimy, feel free to leave them in a little longer.
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush (or a baby toothbrush), gently clean around the posts, backs, and any crevices where dirt and oils tend to build up.
Rinse thoroughly under running water.
Dry with a lint-free cloth, and ensure that no soap residue remains.

JEWELRY POLISHING CLOTH

Looking for a 2-in-1 solution? Jewelry polishing cloth is an earring cleaner that also works for restoring your pair's natural luster while preventing buildup that can dull their shine over time. We recommend using a soft, lint-free polishing cloth, like the one included with ever Mondays Made order. Avoid excessive polishing to prevent eroding the vermeil plating.

To use a polishing cloth,

Make sure your earrings are clean and dry, as moisture or dirt can reduce the cloth's effectiveness.
Gently wipe the pieces in one direction (avoid circular motions!) to remove dirt, dust, oil, and tarnish.

COMMERCIAL JEWELRY CLEANERS

For deep-cleaning purposes, commercial jewelry cleaners offer a convenient solution. These specialized formulas can remove stubborn buildup that soap and water might not work on. However, some cleaners contain stronger chemicals that may not be suitable for delicate stones like pearls or opals.

When using commercial jewelry cleaners, it’s important to follow the right steps to protect your pieces:

Choose the right cleaner: Ensure its formulation is suitable for your earring’s materials. It is not recommended to use silver polishing fluids on vermeil jewelry regularly, as they can wear down the thick gold or rhodium plating prematurely.
Read the label carefully: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and dilution ratios if required.
Test before use: Try a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t affect plating or delicate stones.
Soak briefly: Submerge your earrings fully for a few seconds to a minute (depending on the cleaner’s instructions).
Gently brush if needed: Use a soft brush or cloth to remove any remaining dirt, especially in tight spaces.
Rinse thoroughly: Wash with lukewarm water to remove all traces of the cleaner.
Pat dry: Use a lint-free cloth and let them air-dry before wearing or storing.

How to Disinfect Earrings

Cleaning removes dirt and residue, while disinfecting targets bacteria and germs — an important step for new piercings or sensitive ears. Here are the two ways to disinfect your earrings:

RUBBING ALCOHOL (ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL)

The 70% isopropyl alcohol is a solution you can grab at any drugstore. This concentration has been shown to be effective in removing bacteria and germs and strong to jewelry material. Here’s how to sterilize earrings with rubbing alcohol:

Dab a cotton ball or pad with rubbing alcohol and wipe down the entire earring, paying extra attention to the posts and backs.
Let them air dry on a clean towel, or speed things up with a lint-free cloth.

Avoid rubbing alcohol on porous gemstones like pearls, opals, emeralds, or any plated jewelry, as it can accelerate tarnishing and even damage the plating over time.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

Hydrogen peroxide is the gentler alternative to sterilizing earrings, and a suitable solution for those with sensitive skin. Here's what to do:

Mix hydrogen peroxide and water in a small bowl,
Soak earrings for a few minutes in the bowl or gently wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in the solution,
Use a soft toothbrush to gently remove any remaining residue
Rinse them under water and dry thoroughly.

Just a gentle reminder, be careful with delicate materials. Do not soak it for too long, as the solution can damage their appearance over time.

Styled in Martini Moissanite Stud Earrings

Keeping Your Earrings Sparkling and Safe

A consistent care routine keeps your earrings both hygienic and luminous. Clean them regularly, disinfect occasionally, and store them properly – in a dry pouch, like the one provided by Mondays Made, or jewelry box where they won't get scratched, or exposed to moisture that can tarnish them over time.

A little care goes a long way. When you take the time to clean and care for your earrings, whether it's our moissanite earrings or flower earrings, you're making sure these pieces stay beautiful and wearable for years to come. Clean earrings aren't just safer; they look better and feel better too.