How to Clean Swarovski Crystals

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

Swarovski crystals make stunning jewelry, but keeping them clean may be a challenge sometimes. Swarovski crystals have a thin protective gold or rhodium plating, which limits the jewelry cleaning methods that can be safely used. ^{[1]
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Research source} Fortunately, there are some simple strategies you can use to care for Swarovski crystal jewelry. Use the dry cloth method for general maintenance and light cleaning or use the dish soap method for occasional deep cleaning. Keep reading to find out how to clean and preserve your Swarovski crystal jewelry.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning with a Dry Lint-Free Cloth

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Hold your crystal jewelry in one hand and the lint-free cloth in the other. You may also want to wear cotton gloves to handle your jewelry since fingerprints may show up on the crystals if you handle them with your bare hands. Your best bet is to use the dry cloth method for light cleaning or general maintenance of your Swarovski crystal jewelry. ^{[2]
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Polish the crystals. Use the lint free cloth to gently polish each crystal individually. Use a small circular motion to polish each crystal. Polishing your Swarovski crystal jewelry periodically with a lint free cloth is the best way to maintain the luster of your jewelry and keep it looking beautiful for years.^{[3]
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Continue polishing your jewelry. Keep working until you have cleaned all of the crystals and you are satisfied with the results. If your crystal jewelry still looks dull or dirty, you can use a wet cleaning method. ^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning with Mild Dish Soap

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Gather your materials. You will need a soft bristle toothbrush (an old one that you don't plan on using again will work fine), some dish soap, a small bowl with water in it, and a lint free towel. ^{[5]
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Research source} This method of cleaning your Swarovski crystal jewelry works best for deep cleaning or occasional maintenance. Don't use this method too often because it may wear off some of the thin protective plating on the crystals.
2
Moisten a soft bristle toothbrush. You may want to keep a small bowl of water handy to moisten the toothbrush as you clean the crystals.
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Apply a small amount of dish soap to the damp toothbrush. Only use a small amount at first and add more as you go if needed. ^{[6]
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Clean the crystals. Use the toothbrush to gently remove dirt from each crystal individually. ^{[7]
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Research source} Do not scrub the crystals. Move the toothbrush in a circular motion to gently clean away dirt. Focus on cleaning one crystal at a time. ^{[8]
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Rinse away soap. Hold your crystals under a stream of warm running water to rinse away the soap. ^{[9]
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Dry your crystals. Gently pat dry your jewelry using a soft lint free cloth. You may also want to lay out your jewelry on the cloth until you are sure that it is completely dry. ^{[10]
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Research source} Do not put away your jewelry until it is completely dry.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Keeping Swarovski Crystal Jewelry Clean

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Put on your jewelry last. Wait until after you have applied your lotion, makeup, perfume, and hair products to put on your crystal jewelry. If you put your jewelry on before these products, you may smudge your jewelry or end up getting harsh chemicals on your jewelry that could cause permanent damage to your jewelry. ^{[11]
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Remove your crystal jewelry before you go swimming, take a shower or bath, or wash your hands. The chlorine in pools and hot tubs can damage the thin plating that protects and gives luster to Swarovski crystal jewelry. Soaps and other body care products can also damage this plating and may cause permanent damage to your jewelry. ^{[13]
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Store your crystal jewelry in a soft cloth bag. Keep your Swarovski crystal jewelry separate from other pieces of jewelry in its own bag to prevent scratches or tangles. You may also use your jewelry’s original packaging as storage. ^{[15]
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Never use a hard object to clean your crystals. Do not attempt to scrape or scratch off dirt from your Swarovski crystal jewelry. You may scratch the plating in the process, which may cause permanent damage to your jewelry. ^{[17]
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Community Q&A

Question

How do I clean my crystal ornaments without the ears, tails, or wings falling off?

Community Answer

Use a soft, lint-free cloth, and polish the crystal very carefully. (You can also use warm water, but avoid soaking.)
Question

Can I use an ultrasonic cleaner on my Swarovski Crystal jewelry?

Community Answer

No, you shouldn't put Swarovski figurines in an ultrasonic cleaner. Also, do not to use dish soap but instead, just rinse in warm water if necessary. Otherwise, just polish with a soft cloth.

Warnings

Never use alcohol, toothpaste, or other abrasive cleaners to clean your Swarovski crystal jewelry. They may strip away or scratch the protective plating on your jewelry and cause permanent damage. Avoid jewelry cleaners that contain alcohol as well. ^{[18]
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Never soak your Swarovski crystal jewelry in water or cleaning solution. Soaking can tarnish the crystals and may harm the metal parts of your jewelry as well.^{[19]
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Never expose your Swarovski crystal jewelry to excessive heat or sunlight. Excess heat can damage the thin plating on your jewelry and affect its appearance.^{[20]
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