How To Clean Pearl Jewelry At Home: Safe Step-By-Step

Pearls are delicate. They can get dull from makeup, lotion, perfume, and natural oils from your skin. Over time these substances build up on the surface and make your pearls look cloudy or yellowed. But harsh cleaners and rough scrubbing will damage them permanently.

The good news? You can clean pearl jewelry at home with simple supplies you already have. Mild soap, soft cloths, and lukewarm water are all you need to restore their natural glow. The process takes just a few minutes and keeps your pieces looking new for years.

This guide walks you through safe cleaning methods for all types of pearl jewelry. You'll learn what tools to gather, how to clean pearls without damaging the string or metal settings, and how to store them properly afterward. Whether your pearls are strung on silk, set in gold, or paired with silver, you'll know exactly how to care for them.

What to know before you clean pearls

Pearls sit at 2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes them softer than most gemstones. Their surface scratches easily, and their organic composition means they absorb chemicals through tiny pores. You need to understand these vulnerabilities before you start cleaning because one wrong move can cause permanent damage.

Understanding pearl composition

Pearls form from layers of nacre (mother-of-pearl) that mollusks create around irritants. This nacre gives pearls their signature glow, but it also makes them fragile. The calcium carbonate in pearls reacts with acids and breaks down when exposed to harsh chemicals. Water can weaken the silk thread that holds pearl necklaces together if you submerge them for too long.

Pearls are porous and absorb substances on contact, which means perfumes, lotions, and even perspiration can penetrate the surface and cause yellowing over time.

What damages pearls

You must avoid certain cleaning methods and substances when learning how to clean pearl jewelry at home. Never use ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, or commercial jewelry cleaners on pearls. These products contain chemicals that eat away at nacre and destroy the pearl's structure.

Keep your pearls away from:

Ammonia and bleach-based products
Vinegar and acidic solutions
Abrasive materials like baking soda
Toothpaste (despite some outdated advice)
Extreme temperatures and direct sunlight

Store your pearls flat in fabric-lined boxes, not plastic bags. Plastic releases chemicals that break down pearl surfaces over months of contact.

Step 1. Gather gentle tools and supplies

Before you start cleaning, assemble the right materials. You probably have most of these items in your kitchen or bathroom already. Setting up your workspace correctly saves time and prevents mistakes that could damage your pearls. Choose a clean, flat surface away from the sink drain to avoid accidents.

Essential cleaning supplies

You need just five basic items to clean pearls safely at home. These supplies work for all pearl types, whether you're cleaning a simple strand necklace, a bracelet strung on silk, or earrings set in gold or silver. Never substitute harsh products for these gentle materials.

Required materials:

2 soft, lint-free cloths (microfiber works best)
Lukewarm water (never hot or cold)
Mild dish soap without additives (Dawn or similar brands)
Small bowl for mixing solution
Clean towel for the drying surface

Optional but helpful:

Baby shampoo (gentler alternative to dish soap)
Small soft-bristle brush for metal settings only
Second bowl of clean water for rinsing

The key to learning how to clean pearl jewelry at home successfully is using the mildest soap possible and avoiding any abrasive materials.

What NOT to use

Skip products marketed for jewelry cleaning. Commercial jewelry cleaners contain harsh chemicals like ammonia or alcohol that dissolve nacre and cause irreversible damage to your pearls. You also want to avoid anything rough or scratchy like paper towels, regular towels, or brushes with stiff bristles. These materials create microscopic scratches on the pearl surface that dull their luster permanently and cannot be repaired.

Step 2. Clean your pearls safely

Now you're ready to clean. The method you choose depends on how dirty your pearls are. Regular maintenance requires only a quick wipe, while visible stains need a soap solution. Start with the gentlest approach first and only move to deeper cleaning if necessary. Handle your pearls carefully throughout the entire process to avoid breaking the string or scratching the surface.

The gentle wipe method

This method works best for routine cleaning after each wear and removes oils, light dirt, and residue before they build up. You should use this approach every single time you take off your pearl jewelry. Consistent gentle cleaning prevents deep stains from forming in the first place, which means you'll rarely need stronger cleaning methods.

Follow these steps for basic maintenance:

Dampen one soft cloth with plain lukewarm water
Wring out excess water until the cloth is barely moist
Wipe each pearl individually with gentle circular motions
Pay extra attention to areas near the clasp where oils accumulate
Use your dry cloth to pat each pearl completely dry

Regular wiping removes 90% of potential damage-causing substances before they penetrate the pearl's porous surface.

Deep cleaning with soap solution

When you notice visible discoloration or sticky residue that won't come off with water alone, you need a mild soap solution. This process shows you exactly how to clean pearl jewelry at home when basic wiping isn't enough. Mix only a few drops of dish soap into your bowl of lukewarm water. The solution should barely foam when you stir it.

Step-by-step cleaning process:

Dip your soft cloth into the soapy water
Wring it out thoroughly so it's damp, not dripping
Wipe each pearl with the cloth using light pressure
For silk-strung pieces, avoid getting the string soaking wet
Dip your second cloth in clean lukewarm water
Wring it out and wipe away all soap residue from each pearl
Check the clasp area and metal settings for remaining soap

Never submerge silk-strung pearl necklaces or bracelets directly in water because the moisture weakens the thread and can cause it to stretch or break. If your piece has a metal clasp or gold setting, you can dampen those areas more thoroughly than the string itself.

Step 3. Dry, store, and protect your pearls

Proper drying and storage matter just as much as the cleaning process itself. Moisture trapped on or around your pearls creates the perfect environment for mold, weakens silk threads, and can even cause the nacre to separate from the pearl core. You need to dry every pearl completely before putting your jewelry away, and you must store the pieces in conditions that protect them from scratches, chemicals, and temperature extremes.

Air drying technique

Never use heat to speed up drying because elevated temperatures crack the nacre and cause permanent damage. Instead, lay your pearls flat on a clean, dry towel in a room with normal air circulation. Pat each pearl gently with your dry cloth to remove surface moisture, then let them sit for at least 30 minutes. Check the string on necklaces and bracelets by touching it with your fingertip. The thread must feel completely dry before you store the piece. Damp silk stretches and weakens, which leads to breaks and lost pearls.

Storage that prevents damage

Store your pearls flat in a fabric-lined jewelry box with separate compartments for each piece. Avoid hanging pearl necklaces because the weight of the pearls gradually stretches the string over time. Keep them away from other jewelry that could scratch their soft surface. The storage area should stay cool and dry, never in direct sunlight or near heating vents. This final step in learning how to clean pearl jewelry at home protects your investment and keeps your pieces beautiful for years.

Proper storage prevents 80% of pearl damage that occurs between wearings.

Extra tips for stains and metal settings

This section covers special situations you'll encounter when learning how to clean pearl jewelry at home. Some stains need extra attention, and metal settings require different care than the pearls themselves.

Treating yellowed pearls

Yellowing happens naturally as pearls age, and no home cleaning method reverses this color change. The nacre itself changes due to dehydration and breakdown. You can minimize future yellowing by storing pearls away from light and wearing them regularly to keep them hydrated.

For stubborn stains that won't come off with basic cleaning, follow these steps:

Mix lukewarm water with one drop of mild dish soap
Dip a soft cloth and wring it nearly dry
Gently rub only the stained area in small circles
Rinse immediately with a clean damp cloth
Pat dry and air dry completely

Cleaning metal settings

Metal clasps and settings collect tarnish separately from the pearls. You can clean metal parts more aggressively than the pearls, but you must protect the pearl surfaces during this process. Dip a soft-bristle toothbrush in your soap solution and scrub only the metal portions, keeping bristles away from pearls. For silver pieces with heavy tarnish, apply liquid silver cleaner with a cotton swab directly to the metal only, then rinse the entire piece thoroughly with a damp cloth.

Professional jewelers recommend restringing silk-strung pearl pieces every one to two years if you wear them frequently.

Keep your pearls glowing

You now know exactly how to clean pearl jewelry at home safely and effectively. Regular wiping after each wear prevents most problems, and gentle soap solutions handle stubborn buildup without damaging the nacre. Store your pieces flat in fabric-lined boxes, avoid harsh chemicals, and let them dry completely before putting them away. These simple habits keep your pearls lustrous for decades.

Whether you wear classic strands or modern designs, proper care protects your investment for years. Looking for beautiful pearl pieces that last? Browse our pearl and gold jewelry collection for waterproof styles you can wear daily without worry.