Last Christmas, my dear husband switched things up by putting a little more thought into my gift. Instead of the usual scarf or bracelet, I have been getting every year; I got an ultrasonic jewelry cleaning machine complete with a jewelry cleaner solution. Perhaps he figured I needed a little help cleaning all the bracelets he’s been getting me.
I am always wearing jewelry, and I have a ton because who doesn’t like getting all dolled up? The only downside to this is most of my Friday evenings are spent hunched over the dining table, toothpick in hand, trying to get the grime out of my beautiful pieces. Sometimes this involves disassembling my bracelets to get to those hard-to-reach areas, and as much as I love to wear my jewelry, I do hate cleaning it.
The jewelry cleaning machine is just what I’ve needed in my life. It is fast, it is effective, and best of all, it has given me back my fun Friday nights. The little thing practically runs itself. All I have to do is fill the tank with cleaning solvent, dunk my jewelry in, switch the machine on, and voila, it’s done cleaning in a couple of minutes. I have to admit; since owning this gadget, I have come to realize what a pathetic job I was doing cleaning my jewelry. They never looked as sparkly as they do now.
I have come to realize, however, that not all commercial jewelry cleaning formulas are quite as efficient. So now that I have experienced some good and bad ones, I think I'm in a perfect position to speak of the best ones with some degree of authority.
Factors to Consider Before Purchase
Ingredients
Jewelry
Cost
7 Best Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner Solutions Reviews
The following is a list I put together of the best ultrasonic jewelry cleaner solutions along with a short review of each one. I used different factors such as personal testing, user reviews and price to create this list. Please take your time to read though the reviews so you can be as informed as possible about each product.
1. Blitz Gem & Jewelry Cleaner Concentrate
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Blitz has been in the jewelry business for over 100 years so you can rest assured that they know their stuff. To begin with, this cleaner concentrate does a phenomenal job cleaning jewelry, and if you have previously been cleaning your rings and bracelets with hot water and dawn soap, then you will definitely see the difference once you start using this solution. Despite being a powerful solution, it is non-toxic which means that it is tough on dirt but safe for the environment.
Being a concentrated solution which you have to mix with water, a small amount of this cleaner solution goes a long way. Whether you go for the 8 Oz. bottle or the 1-gallon bottle, rest assured the solution will last through numerous uses, before you need to buy another bottle.
I use this concentrate in my ultrasonic jewelry cleaning machine, but it can also be used when you are cleaning your jewels manually using a toothbrush. Blitz concentrate has a subtle scent that will not irritate your eyes or hands, therefore, making it suitable for users with allergies and skin sensitivity. It is also safe enough to use on precious stones such as diamond and gold without harming them. Just keep in mind that this solution is not formulated to clean porous stones such as opal.
2. iSonic Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaning Solution Concentrate
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Once again, this is a concentrated solution that will need to be diluted with tap water before you use it for cleaning jewelry. Keeping this in mind, a little goes a long way so your 8 Oz. bottle will actually last numerous uses. In addition to cleaning jewelry, the iSonic cleaning solution concentrate is ideal for cleaning eyewear as well. Sunglasses and eyeglasses often get greasy body oil, smudges and fingerprints on them and traditional cleaning methods aren’t always very efficient. Using this cleaner will have your glasses looking crystal clear and streak-free therefore saving you a trip to the opticians. Furthermore, the concentrate is safe to use even on eyeglasses which have an anti-reflective coating.
I particularly love how sparkly my diamonds look once I’ve cleaned them with this concentrate. It always appears as if I have had them professionally cleaned which probably makes this the best jewelry cleaner concentrate for anyone with a lot of diamond rings, earrings, pendants etc. This concentrate is not just efficient for cleaning diamonds though. It does a great job cleaning all kinds of jewelry in general, including watch straps as well.
As more people are embracing eco-friendly products, you will be glad to know that this concentrate is biodegradable and therefore does not cause harm to the environment. This also includes the fact that the solution does not contain any phosphorous.
The TrioShine also comes with tweezers, a funnel, a measuring cup, a stainless steel basket, a microfiber towel and instructions. Sienna includes a one year limited warranty so you can feel secure if you decide to purchase this item.
3. Caribbean Gem Banana & Coconut Oil Jewelry Cleaner
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Even after getting my ultrasonic jewelry cleaning machine, there was one piece of jewelry which I still had to clean manually, and that was my strand of pearls. I wasn’t very sure how safe the other clear solutions were to use on pearls and so instead of making a costly gamble, I simply resorted to good old traditional cleaning formulas. Well, that’s until I stumbled upon the Caribbean gem banana & coconut oil jewelry cleaning liquid.
This cleaner is made entirely from natural ingredients. This makes it a game changer because unlike so many of its competitors, it is actually safe to use on pearls and porous gems such as opals! This cleaner is pink in color, smells heavenly and does a fantastic job cleaning all types of jewelry. My favorite part, however, is how the cleaner comes well boxed with detailed instructions included, for how to use it on all sorts of different kinds of jewelry. That sure took the guesswork out of how long I should soak different pieces to get a thorough cleaning. The guide also comes in handy in ensuring you do not soak your pieces for too long therefore accidentally damaging them in the process.
Because of its all-natural composition, the cleaner is environmentally friendly, gentle on metals and gems and gentle on your hands as well. Because it is not a concentrate, this pink liquid has to be used full-strength without diluting with water. However, this is not to mean that a bottle runs out fast. This cleaner is unique in that it can be reused several times and rest assured your jewelry will come out sparkling every single time.
In addition to cleaning all types of jewelry, Caribbean Gem banana & coconut oil jewelry cleaning solution can also be used to clean watches, eyeglasses, sunglasses and DVDs.
4. Simple Shine Gentle Jewelry Cleaner Concentrate
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The Simple Shine gentle jewelry cleaning concentrate is another amazing cleaner that can be used on pearls. This is owing to the fact that this cleaner does not contain ammonia or any other harsh abrasive chemicals that can harm delicate gems such as pearls, palladium, soft stones, treated gems and porous stones. Additionally, this concentrate is also non-toxic and biodegradable; therefore you can clean your jewelry without the guilt of knowing you might be destroying our planet in the process.
Having gotten used to cleaners that come in an 8 Oz. bottle, I was a bit skeptical of how long the 4 Oz. bottle would last me. Well, I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. The cleaner is a concentrate that requires to be diluted with water so keeping in mind that a little goes a long way, the 4 Oz. Another aspect I was impressed by was the nice deep clean my jewelry got from this gentle cleaner concentrate.
In addition to jewelry, the cleaner also works on eyewear and other antiques and keepsakes you might be having. In case you are dissatisfied with the product after using it, the manufacturer guarantees a full refund on your purchase. How amazing is that?
5. Sparkle Bright All-Natural Jewelry Cleaner Solution
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Why is a combination of banana oil and coconut oil so good at cleaning jeweler? Similar to the Caribbean Gem Banana & Coconut Oil Jewelry cleaning solution, these are also the key ingredients in this Sparkle Bright cleaner solution, and the results are just as amazing. Because of the all-natural ingredients, this cleaner solution is biodegradable and environmentally friendly. The absence of alcohol, acids and chemicals makes this the best jewelry cleaner liquid for accessories and jewelry that will be worn by kids and pets.
In addition to giving jewelry a nice deep clean, this cleaner solution also has anti-static and anti-fog properties. As a result, using a 1:1 dilution ratio with water, the cleaner can be used to remove smudges and grime from eyewear, mirrors, laptop and cellphone screens and fan blades.
Whether it is hard diamonds, porous stones like opal, soft stones like pearls, soft gemstones like onyx, antique jewelry or costume jewelry, this cleaner solution gets the job done quickly and efficiently. This is not a concentrate, but the liquid can be reused several times, therefore proving to be a cost-efficient option. In case the cleaner gets discolored or becomes cloudy after a single use, remove the debris by pouring it through a cheesecloth or coffee filter and the solution is ready to be reused.
6. Gemoro Sparkle Pak Plus Jewelry Cleaner
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The packaging is probably what drew me to this jewelry cleaning concentrate. Unlike other solutions that come in a bottle, the Gemoro Sparkle Pak jewelry cleaning solution conveniently comes in pre-measured single-dose packets where you have 10 packets in a box. The advantage of these single-dose packs is that you don’t have to keep measuring capfuls of concentrate to make your cleaning solution. This way, the entire process is less messy. Additionally, this makes for a great travel option if you ever need to carry jewelry cleaning supplies when you’re on vacation.
This cleaner is non-flammable, non-ammoniated and non-toxic but it has fumes which could irritate the eyes. To avoid this, just make sure you are using the cleaner in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling the fumes. Being a professional strength jewelry cleaning solution, the manufacturer goes on to suggest wearing safety glasses when using the cleaner.
As you might already have guessed, this cleaner cannot be used on porous gems. However, all other types of jewelry are covered, including fine jewelry, metal watch bands and base metals. On top of removing dirt and grease, the concentrate is also formulated to clean compounds and oxides, and for this reason, it splendidly removes tarnish from silver pieces.
7. Calyptus Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner Concentrate
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The thing I love about plant-based jewelry cleaning solutions is that they are very gentle on my jewelry and my hands yet at the same time they possess some impressive cleaning strength. This Calyptus ultrasonic jewelry cleaning concentrate is 100% natural which means that it is also 100% non-toxic, VOC-free and biodegradable. At the same time, this concentrate is entirely alcohol and ammonia-free making it safe to use on eyewear including lenses that have an anti-reflective coating.
Being 100% natural does not mean, however, that the cleaner can be used on all types of jewelry. The manufacturer cautions against using this concentrate to clean soft gemstones, heat-treated gemstones and organic gemstones. As a result, this cleaner is not ideal for emeralds, onyx, pearls, lapis lazuli, corals, turquoise etc. Nonetheless, as long as you’re using this cleaner for other types of gemstones and semi-precious metals, you can rest assured the cleaner will do a spectacular job restoring the bright sparkle to your jewels. In addition to restoring luster to jewelry, the cleaner can also be used to remove grime and oils from eyeglasses and to clean watches as well.
When using this concentrate, you can use a dilution ratio of up to 1:140 depending on how dirty your items are. Better yet, each refill can last you multiple cleanings which means that an 8 Oz. bottle will end up lasting through several months.
Why Use An Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner?
Jewelry is often subject to harsh elements, and this is not only caused by daily wear but also by general air pollution and tarnish that naturally happens over time. For these reasons, whether or not you wear your pieces daily, they will need some regular cleaning to maintain their sparkle and luster.
One advantage of using commercial jewelry cleaner liquids instead of homemade cleaners is that the former has been specially formulated to give your jewelry a good deep cleaning. This ends up saving you time which would have otherwise been spent guessing which concoctions work well to clean which kind of jewelry. At the same time, you get a professional-like cleaning right from the comfort of your home, therefore, saving you a trip to the jeweler.
Another advantage is that with jewelry cleaning concentrates, you will hardly ever need to scrub your jewelry to get the grime out. In most instances, the concentrate is strong enough to lift the dirt out of your pieces as long as they are submerged in the liquid for the required amount of time. Particularly dirty items might need a little scrubbing to help lift the dirt out, but this will require minimal effort.
Overall, most jewelry cleaning concentrates don’t contain any harsh chemicals that can cause adverse effects to your jewelry. Nonetheless, because of their unique formulation, some jewelry cleaning concentrates are designed for specific purposes such as removing tarnish from silver jewelry. At the same time, other cleaners could be specifically designed for your more delicate pieces such as porous stones, organic pieces and soft gems. This way, you can clean your pieces without running the risk of damaging them.
Homemade Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner Solution
If you opt against commercial jewelry cleaning solutions, you might as well make a homemade concoction. When preparing a homemade jewelry cleaner mixture for your jewelry cleaning machine, soap and water is always a good starting point seeing as it is safe to use on most jewelry. Just add a dash of mild dish soap to warm water in the tank of your ultrasonic jewelry cleaning machine and start the cleaning cycle. Dish soap is gentle, safe for hands and skin and has surface active agents (surfactants) which lift off dirt and oils from your jewelry pieces.
For a slightly stronger formula, you may go on ahead to use ammonia instead of dish soap. This will work safely for most diamond jewelry as long as the diamond has not been treated with a coating or a similar non-permanent substance. To minimize the ammonia smell in your cleaner solution, you may add some dish soap to the ammonia-water mixture.
For cleaning eyeglasses and sunglasses, you can use equal parts of warm water and rubbing alcohol and a few drops of dish soap. However, keep in mind that it is not recommended to use this formula to clean eyewear that has an anti-reflective coating. This is because the rubbing alcohol can wear away the AR coating, therefore, causing it to flake off with time.
For cleaning brass items, you can use a solution made of equal parts white vinegar and water, and a dash of dish soap. Add this to the tank of your ultrasonic cleaner, submerge the jewelry pieces and start the cleaning cycle.
Final Thoughts
Most people treasure their jewelry collection, and why wouldn’t you after spending a fortune on the pieces? It is therefore essential that you clean and care for your jewelry regularly to ensure the items retain their sparkle and luster. Besides keeping jewelry looking sparkly, the right care and maintenance will extend the life of your items, including heirlooms that may have been passed on to you. With the correct practices, keeping jewelry clean does not have to feel like an uphill battle.
All jewelry pieces are unique, and likewise, they will all require a unique set of cleaning guidelines. Whether you are dealing with porous gemstones, organic stones, heat-treated gemstones, costume jewelry, hard stones or metals, the most important thing is first to understand the composition of your jewelry. This way, you can better understand how to care for each piece.
Understanding the composition of your jewels will help inform your choice when it comes to buying a commercial jewelry cleaner concentrate. In addition to that, this will also help guide how long you soak each piece in your ultrasonic jewelry cleaning machine regardless of whether you are using a homemade or commercial cleaner solution.
It is safe to clean your jewelry at home using both commercial and homemade jewelry cleaner solutions, and so you do not have to take all your pieces for a professional cleaning. It might be worth remembering; however, that a jeweler is not only good for cleaning your jewelry. Sometimes your pieces might need re-plating so don’t entirely rule out the need to visit your jeweler simply because you now have an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner.