Care Guide

How do I clean and care for my Brass Jewellery?

How to clean brass jewellery

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and will naturally tarnish when exposed to oxygen. Some people like the patina of tarnished brass and the tarnish is actually a protective layer for the brass, but if you want to get the shine of the new brass it's pretty easy to do with some typical household products.

 If the tarnish isn't too pervasive take about 2 tablespoons of baking soda and add drops of lemon juice - from concentrate is fine - until you have a nice paste. The lemon juice will bubble and fizz as you add the baking soda, don't worry it'll stop after a second or two. Take an old toothbrush and apply the paste to your piece and scrub. Let it sit in the paste for about 30 minutes and then rinse it with water and dry it thoroughly.

 If the piece is heavily tarnished or the above doesn't work, you can place the piece in vinegar and let it soak for 30-60 minutes and then scrub it with an old toothbrush. Once clean, rinse it with water. This cleaning method is more aggressive and may leave the piece more "raw" looking - it won't have as warm of a color until the patina rebuilds. Oils from your skin and the oxygen in the air are what accelerate tarnishing.

 If you want to slow the tarnish process, wipe the piece with a soft cotton rag after wearing and store in a plastic bag with an anti-tarnishing strip.

 

How do I clean and care for my Wooden Jewellery? 
81stgeneration wants to make sure the natural grain in your wooden jewellery is highlighted, not diminished. Here are some tips to make sure your wooden jewellery always looks its best.

 Always store wooden jewellery in an air-tight bag to avoid dust and moisture. You can risk damage to your wooden jewellery with long exposure to water. Use a non-abrasive microfiber cloth to wipe down the surface of your wooden jewellery daily to avoid dust and dirt buildup. Use a wood polishing cloth with natural beeswax to polish the surface of your wooden jewelry. You should only need to polish once a month or as needed.

 

How do I clean and care for my Silver Jewellery?

How to clean and care of silver jewellery

Sterling silver tarnishes when exposed to air and becomes very dull if it comes into regular contact with chemicals. To keep your original piece of jewellery looking stunning we suggest you adopt the following steps for looking after your jewellery:

 -Store the jewellery in the discretely branded box when not wearing it so it is not open to the air and won't tarnish.

 -Don’t wear the jewellery whilst having a bath/taking a shower, applying make up, sun tan cream or body cream, perfume or hairspray. It’s a good habit to get into putting your jewellery on last after getting ready.

 -Don’t go swimming with your jewellery on as the chlorine will dull the finish.

 A build up of dirt can be removed using warm water, washing-up liquid and a very soft toothbrush. If you need to polish the jewellery, then give it a rub with a silver jewellery cloth. They are readily available online or in the High Street and are already combined with suitable chemicals to bring the shine back.

 

How do I clean and care for my Leather Jewellery?
Leather jewellery can last for a long time if and only if it is maintained properly. The leather jewellery must be protected from dust. It must have a separate cover so as to prevent dust contamination. It is not advisable to store leather jewellery along with other types of jewellery, especially metal jewellery.

 When leather jewellery is exposed to rain or water it loses its charm. Hence it is better to avoid wearing leather jewellery when the weather conditions are not good. While handling the leather jewellery, hands must be clean as well as dry. The leather jewellery may be worn after the application of perfumes and other cosmetics so that the jewellery will not get coated with the perfumes. One should not wear the leather jewellery while taking a bath, swimming, performing physical exercises or while doing any strenuous work. A leather protector spray can ensure the proper maintenance of expensive leather jewellery. The leather protector spray effectively prevents staining of the leather. Moreover, it can prevent cracking and drying of the leather.

 For cleaning the leather jewellery one should not use oil based cleaners as it may stain the leather. The dirt on the jewellery can be removed using a piece of soft damp cloth. In case the leather jewelry is stained by cosmetics, oil, fragrances, hair sprays etc. it is advisable to get them cleaned immediately by a professional cleaner.

 

How do I clean and care for my Leather Bag?

How to clean my leather bag

Our leather bags are made of tanned goatskin, which is one of the softest, lightest and most resilient leathers available. It is naturally water resistant because of the lanolin in the leather. Compared to cowhide, it’s about half the weight, twice as pliable, and extremely strong. This means your bag is light, less bulky, and never requires a breaking in period. Being handmade, each bag is unique.

 The leather is never dyed with harsh chemicals, so the shade of leather from item to item may vary slightly from our photographs and it may have some spots that will vanish by using it over time. Also each piece initially has a genuine earthy aroma that is characteristic of the natural tanning process. This scent begins to dissipate as soon as the item is removed from its packaging, and fades entirely in 2-6 weeks. Be patient rather than trying to mask the smell with sprays, oils, or cleaners. These will only seal over the leather and create a third smell which may take even longer to go away.

 When you are not using your leather bag make sure your bag is dry and empty. Slip it into a cotton storage bag and store it flat and out of direct sunlight away from any heat source. Do not dry clean, store your leather bag near chemicals or in a high-humidity area where mildew can grow.

 As you use your leather bag it will develop a beautiful, unique patina. However, leather is a natural product and will become dry and damaged if left near a heat source like a radiator or in direct sunlight. Similarly try not to get your bag wet. If the leather begins to look a bit worn in places we recommend that you give it a nourishing feed and polish with a natural leather cream. Test any cream or polish on an unobtrusive part of your bag first to ensure that there is no significant change in colour.

 Every dozen or so uses, moisten a cloth with warm water and wipe over the leather for a more thorough clean. Be sure to use as little water as possible when cleaning. Apply a rub-on leather conditioner to the leather every few months to restore moisture to the leather. Properly conditioning the leather will prevent cracks, wrinkles, and over-drying of the goatskin’s leather.

 Goatskin can be cleaned with a mild, pumice-based soap, but not rubbed. You can rinse it with water, but never soak it. Pat the leather dry with a clean towel, and apply a leather conditioner. Allow the leather to air dry completely.

 

How do I clean and care for my Stainless Steel Jewellery?
Although stainless steel jewellery doesn’t tarnish or corrode and doesn’t require special care, it can scratch. That’s why you should wear and store your jewellery in a way that minimizes any contact with other items that can cause damage. If your jewellery does get scratched, you can always have it professionally polished by a jeweller.

 Stainless steel jewellery is pretty easy to clean. Simply follow these steps:

 Pour some warm water in a small bowl, and add some mild dishwashing soap. Dip a soft, lint-free cloth in the soapy water, and then gently wipe the stainless steel jewellery with the damp cloth until the piece is clean. When cleaning it, rub the item along its polish lines. Wipe the remaining soap off your jewellery using a moist cloth dipped in clean water. Dry the jewellery well with a clean towel, and then leave your pieces to air dry. After your stainless steel jewellery is clean, you can use a jewellery polish or a polishing cloth to shine it.

 Some people use toothpaste to clean the especially dirty spots of their stainless steel pieces. Keep in mind, however, that toothpaste is abrasive. If you decide to use it for cleaning, make sure it is a non-whitening brand that does not contain silica, and use a soft cloth to rub the paste onto your pieces. Don’t forget to rinse the jewellery thoroughly after you are done.

 An alternative to these cleaning methods is to purchase a stainless steel cleaner from the store and follow the instructions on the package.