How Can I Clean My String of Pearls?

One of the most common questions that I am always asked is: "How can I clean my pearls?" To understand how to safely clean your pearls, you need to remember what they are.

Pearls are organic in nature and porous which means that they are easily damaged by harsh chemicals and can be scratched easily by rough or abrasive materials. You should never clean your pearls with chemical dips or cleansers. This can damage the pearls and make them more susceptible to picking up more dirt.

To clean a strand of pearls:

1. Get a clean soft cloth such as cotton or microfiber. Pick something that is not abrasive and has little to no lint.
   
2. Dampen the cloth and gently roll the string of pearls in the cloth. Be gentle and do not rub too hard on the silk string. When silk is wet, it can be damaged easily by rubbing it too hard.
3. Once the pearls are clean lay them on a flat surface and allow them to dry completely.
   

To prevent them from building up dirt from every day wear you can also keep a clean dry microfibre cloth close to your jewelry box and when you put them away use the dry cloth to gently run over the strand a few times. This removes any dirt or natural oils from the surface of the pearls which can attract dirt as it builds up over time.