Easy DIY jewelry cleaner {that really works!}

This helpful tip is super simple and cheap (free if you have the basics on hand). I found this DIY jewelry cleaner months ago and it’s actually from a food site here. Which is fitting because all of the “ingredients” are from the kitchen:

DIY jewelry cleaner recipe

1 tbsp salt

1 tbsp baking soda 

1 tbsp dish detergent

one cup water

1 piece of aluminum foil

bowl

Just stick the water in the microwave for one to two minutes (I do two to get it nice and hot) and while it’s heating use a piece of foil to line the bottom of the bowl:


When the water is ready, pour it in the bowl, add the tablespoons of baking soda, salt and detergent in and watch it fizz:


That’s the fun part. ;)

Then you just place your jewelry in the bowl for five to ten minutes. The ingredients eat away at the grime and dirt and my rings come out sparkling! It’s amazing!

I feel like I commercial for dish washing detergent with all the SPARKLE but it’s true – this stuff really works well. I used to use jewelry cleaner from the store, but the brush that came with it fell apart after the second use. Since then I’ve used a soft toothbrush but I find I don’t need to use it with this recipe.

When I take my rings into my jeweler to be cleaned they look at me like I have three heads and ask WHAT IN THE WORLD I have been doing. I guess the spray paint, saw dust, paint, glue and all the other DIY messes stick around. ;)

This homemade version eats away at all that stuff and makes them absolutely shine. Love it. And the ingredients are so basic I always have it all on hand. If you are cleaning a bunch of jewelry you’ll want to make a new batch each time, according to the source.

I’ve also used this on more delicate jewelry like an opal ring – it worked beautifully. Some of the reviewers on the site I linked to mentioned it messed up sterling silver jewelry, but then others said it cleaned up their silver beautifully, so try it for silver at your own risk. Check out that link for reviews before you try something you are hesitant about!

I’m thrilled with it and highly recommend it – I’ll take an easy, cheap solution any day! :)

Have you found any great tips lately? I hope to share some of mine with you more often – good results and the bad.

**Check out my other cleaning hacks and tips here!

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My favorite lighting and outlet hacks {that will save you money!}

I've been working on little projects while staying safe at home, and I'll continue to share those with you here on the blog! I'm sharing a slightly different DIY today and it involves one so many shudder at...electrical projects. Hang in there with me!

I picked up a few dimmers a few weeks ago (knowing we may be at home for awhile) to install around the house. I also installed a couple outlets and switches that I must have bought shortly after moving in. I've been busy at the breaker box!

If you know how to change out a light switch or outlet, these will be easy for you. And even if you don't, I encourage you to watch a YouTube video to see how easy it is (or check out the tutorials I share in this post). I promise it's not that hard. Once you get the hang of it each of these take five minutes to change out.

They're all easy fixes that make life a bit easier AND save energy and light bulbs!

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Dimmer switches

I've blabbed on and on about dimmer switches for years for good reason! They are my FAVORITE! Dimmers allow you to soften the light rooms so they aren't so bright at all times:

I love them in any room -- we have them in bedrooms, bathrooms (if you get up before the sun they are a must!), the kitchen, dining area and family room. Pretty much all over the house. :)

I added one to out master bath and the foyer last week:

They not only adjust the light to your liking, but they add an ambience to a room in the evening that is really lovely. Plus you will save energy and your light bulbs will last much longer.

You can find my simple tutorial for installing a dimmer switch here! (I wrote that post years ago -- I show one way to install them, but check out the instructions inside the package for updated methods.)

Things to consider when purchasing -- make sure your dimmer switch works for LED light bulbs. Also, if your light operates from one switch it is called single pole. If a light works from more than one switch it's called three way. Most dimmers work for all of these now -- that's why they cost more than they used to. (Back in the day they were less than $10 each.)

You can find my favorite dimmer switches that work for LEDs and every switch here and here!

Recessed outlets

I've shared these cool recessed outlets (and how to install them) as well. They are great outlets because they give you a few more inches behind furniture and TVs: