Cleaning Vintage Jewelry With Vodka
Vodka is More than Just a Screw Driver
If you go to cocktail parties, you know that vodka can make a pretty decent cocktail, but did you know that it also has other uses? Vodka is a wonderful disinfectant that can be used it to clean all sorts of items, including your vintage jewelry.
The process is relatively easy. Just pour enough vodka into a small bowl so that the jewelry will be covered with the vodka completely. Once you have placed the jewelry in the vodka solution, let it sit for about 30-45 seconds - it doesn't take long at all. Then use a small, soft bristled, brush, such as a make up brush, to remove any dirt or built up oils, and rinse under warm water to remove the vodka solution. Finally, polish the piece of jewelry with a soft cloth such as a piece of a cotton T shirt. That's all there is to it. You'll have a very sparkling and completely disinfected piece of jewelry.
If the jewelry has rhinestones in it, the process varies, just a little Don't immerse rhinestone jewelry into the solution - moisture can damage the foil backing of some rhinestones if the solution gets under the stone in the setting and sits there. Instead, dip a Q tip into the vodka and use it to gently clean the rhinestones and back of the piece of jewelry. Rubbing alcohol can be used first to get off the dust. When it evaporates, just rub the stones with the vodka solution.
The left over vodka needn't to go to waste. You can clean many other items in the same solution. It can be used to clean your eye glasses, clean chrome kitchen appliances, even remove lipstick from clothing. Outside of cleaning projects, it can even be used to treat all sorts of ailments from poison ivy, to acne and cold sores. When all your little jobs are done, throw the left over vodka into the laundry to freshen up the load.
All of this information has been compiled from my research into the subject and is offered without warranty from vintagejewelrylane.com.
