How To Clean A Necklace Chain

While DRD is meant to be worn every day, it’s good to give your jewels some time off while doing various activities. It’s best to take off your necklace(s) before you workout, swim, shower, or sleep in order to cut down on grime and buildup. This is easy to forget, but we highly recommend taking off your necklace before you spray perfume or apply lotion. Product buildup is stubborn and happens fast. It's best to avoid contact altogether when you can! But, life happens, and inevitably, your sparkly jewels will encounter some dull moments. Chain necklaces can be delicate, with lots of small areas for dirt to hide. Check out our tips for how to clean a necklace with everything from gentle scrubbing and rinsing techniques to drying and polishing advice!

Cleaning Gold Chain Necklaces

Gold chains are a versatile piece of jewelry in many of our collections. Perfect for everyday wear, adding the perfect accent to any outfit. Over time, gold jewelry can sometimes begin to lose some of its shine from consistent wear. No worries, we have some tips to help you get a clean gold chain.

First, make sure that your cleaning area is over a hard surface and NOT over your sink — it’s super sad to lose a jewel to the drain.
Clasp your necklace before the cleaning begins in order to prevent the chain from tangling during the cleaning process.
This is not a group activity! Clean each necklace one by one - this also prevents a tangled mess of chains.
Soak the necklace in a jewelry cleaner for 5 minutes. DRD happens to make a great jewelry cleaner!

If you don’t have a jewelry cleaning solution, try a few drops of mild dish soap in warm water and let soak for a few minutes

Take a soft toothbrush and carefully brush it along the chain in 2-3 inch increments to remove the dirt. A juli brush is another helpful tool because the brush has a lot of different angles that reach various crevices.
Once complete, place the freshly cleaned necklace on top of a flat surface and blot dry with a soft cloth.

Cleaning Silver Chain Necklaces

Silver jewelry has timeless elegance and versatility, making it a favorite by many. Like gold jewelry, daily wear of your silver necklaces means that they are going to be subjected to an accumulation of dirt and grime. This will require a good cleaning of your chain to fully restore its shine.

To kick off the cleaning process, double-check that your work area is over a hard surface, away from the sink, so you can avoid losing a jewel down the drain.
Be sure to securely fasten the clasp of your necklace chain before beginning. This will help to prevent any tangling while cleaning.
This is not a group activity! Clean each necklace one by one - this also prevents a tangled mess of chains.
Submerge your necklace in a jewelry cleaner for a 5-minute soak. DRD happens to make a great jewelry cleaner!

If you don’t have a jewelry cleaner, try a few drops of mild dish soap in warm water and let soak for a few minutes

Using a soft toothbrush, carefully brush along the chain in 2-3 inch increments to remove any accumulated dirt and grime. A juli brush is another helpful tool because the brush has a lot of different angles that reach various crevices.
Place the freshly cleaned necklace on top of a flat surface and blot dry with a soft microfiber cloth or a jewelry polishing cloth.

Cleaning Rose Gold Chain Necklaces

Rose gold jewelry has surged in popularity, with its warm and romantic hue that stands out among traditional gold and silver options. It's completely normal for your rose gold jewelry to accumulate dirt and lose its radiance. It's important to ensure that you are caring for your rose gold chains with care and taking the necessary steps to clean them properly.

First, ensure your workspace is positioned over a solid surface rather than near a sink — we don’t want you to lose anything down the drain.
Securely fasten the clasp of your necklace; this simple step will help to avoid any tangling mishaps while cleaning.
This is not a group activity! Clean each necklace one by one - this also prevents a tangled mess of chains.
Let your necklace chain soak in a jewelry cleaner for 5 minutes. DRD happens to make a great jewelry cleaner!

If you don’t have a jewelry cleaner, try a few drops of mild dish soap in warm water and let soak for a few minutes

Grab a soft toothbrush and carefully brush it along the chain in small 2-3 inch increments to remove any build-up. A juli brush is another helpful tool because the brush has a lot of different angles that reach various crevices.
Once complete, place the freshly cleaned necklace on top of a flat surface and blot dry with a soft cloth.

Necklace Maintenance Tips

While gentle home cleaning remedies are a great way to maintain the beauty and shine of your necklaces, it's crucial to avoid certain substances that could harm both the stone and the chain.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

Steer clear of harsh chemicals like bleach, chlorine, and acetone. These can weaken the metal of your chain. Similarly, avoid strong cleaners such as powders and toothpaste as they can erode and even alter the color of the metal.

Use Only Soft Brushes For Cleaning

Stiff-bristled or sharp cleaning tools can scratch your gems and even break a delicate chain.

Be Mindful of Perfumes and Creams

Perfumes and creams will almost instantly leave a residue on your necklace, making it appear dirty and potentially leading to discoloration, especially if it’s white gold or platinum.

Be Careful Around Water

The #1 place where jewelry gets lost is in water (pools, oceans and lakes)! Plunging into water or even hitting a surprise wave can remove jewelry from a slippery body. Beware of chlorine in pools as it’s extra harsh and can strip your gems of their rich color and even breakdown gold.

Your fine jewelry should be worn proudly [almost] all of the time! No matter what, enjoy the jewels and hit them with a little extra TLC from time to time.

DRD is a team of communicators - we love talking to our clients about anything and everything, so please email or call us to discuss necklace chain cleaning concerns and more! We also want to see your cleaning/care journey - tag us [@danarebecca / #danarebecca]!