Care Guide

Piercing Jewelry: Keeping your body jewelry clean and properly cared for is essential—not just for preserving its shine, but for protecting your piercings from irritation or infection. Whether you're new to piercings or have a growing collection, knowing how to safely clean and maintain your jewelry at home can make a big difference.

Body jewelry, like regular jewelry, needs proper care—but the type of care it requires is a bit different. If you want your jewelry to last and stay safe to wear, it’s worth taking a moment to learn how to care for it correctly. A little extra effort now means you can enjoy your new piece for a long time to come.

For the best results, clean each piece of jewelry when you receive it prior to putting it in, after you take it out to be stored, and prior to putting it in again after storage.

The first time you get your piercing jewelry, wash it before putting it in. Somewhere between creating the jewelry and arriving at your home, your jewelry has been touched. Using antibacterial soap and warm water is a gentle and effective way to clean your jewelry.

Lastly, always remember to dry your jewelry thoroughly after washing or cleaning! Use a clean cloth or paper towel, or a clean Q-tip for smaller areas.

Non-piercing Jewelry: Non-piercing jewelry is not as finicky in the way it needs to be cleaned, because you're not actually inserting it into your body. Ensuring your jewelry stays dry when not in use is an important part of caring for this type of jewelry. See below for more tips on cleaning & storage!

Caring for different materials

Titanium

Titanium is a great, non-tarnish choice for jewelry! If your item is 100% titanium, you can swim, shower, etc in it with no issues. Keep in mind that if you get a piece with a titanium barbell and a charm attached (belly button jewelry), the charm may still tarnish. Washing with antibacterial soap and water can help reduce build up caused by outside factors. Always thoroughly dry your piercing pieces before inserting them, or storing them.
Surgical Steel

Surgical steel is very tarnish and corrosion resistant, which makes it great for everyday wear. Keep in mind that if you get a piece with a surgical steel barbell and a charm attached (belly button jewelry), the charm may still tarnish. Always thoroughly dry your surgical steel piercings before inserting them, or storing them.
Solid Gold

Solid gold is the best option for body jewelry, and for everyday live in jewelry. Tarnish-proof and corrosion-proof, a solid gold piece will hold up best to everyday situations, including swimming in chlorinated water, swimming in salt water, and exposure to body washes etc. Build up may happen over time, so be sure to gently wash your piece with soap and water, and dry it to keep it looking nice! Remember that opals are fragile stones, so if you have a piece with opals, do your best to limit exposure to chemicals, oils, body washes, and other soaps, as they may cloud your gems over time. This includes lab-created, faux opals.
Gold Filled

Gold fill is another terrific option for live-in pieces. Tarnish-proof and corrosion-proof, a gold fill piece will hold up best to everyday situations, including swimming in chlorinated water, swimming in salt water, and exposure to body washes etc. Build up may happen over time, so be sure to gently wash your piece with soap and water, and dry it to keep it looking nice! Remember that opals are fragile stones, so if you have a piece with opals, do your best to limit exposure to chemicals, oils, body washes, and other soaps, as they may cloud your gems over time. This includes lab-created, faux opals.
Pieces with gems/sparkles/crystals

These hold up best when not soaked in water. If they do get wet, make sure to dry them thoroughly!
Piercing jewelry with charms and dangles

Charms and dangles, outside of solid gold items or where otherwise specified, are prone to tarnishing under conditions such as:

  • Repeated exposure to water & humid environments
  • Exposure to chlorinated water
  • Exopsure to salt water
  • Exposure to other outside chemicals, including those in body washes, soaps and oils.

Keep your charms dry, and when you need to clean them, use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe them down, or a Q-tip.

Sanitizing your piercing jewelry

Sanitize with boiling water

One method for sanitizing body jewelry is boiling it in water. Sources say that boiling a piece for about 25 to 40 minutes can help eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other germs.

This method is safe to use on: Glass, Stainless Steel, and Titanium (This cannot be used on jewelry with any acrylic parts, jewels/gems, and non metal charms)

Sanitize with soap and water

Another safe way to sanitize your body jewelry is by using warm water and antibacterial soap. Simply mix the soap into the water, give it a quick stir, and let your jewelry soak for a few minutes. After that, rinse thoroughly and dry completely. If there is any build up on the jewelry after this, use a Q-tip to remove it and clean it again.

This method is safe to use on: Stainless Steel, Titanium, Glass, Acrylic, Plated Jewelry (i.e. Gold Plated), and Gold

Sanitize with saline solution

Another effective option for sanitizing your body jewelry is using a saline solution, either as a soak or a spray. You can let the jewelry sit in the solution for a few minutes, using a Q-tip to gently clean any hard-to-reach areas if needed. Alternatively, you can spray the jewelry thoroughly with saline. Once you're done, just dry it off. This method is gentle and safe for most types of body jewelry.

Storing your jewelry

Ensuring your jewelry is clean and fully dry is the best way to increase the longevity of a piece. Store your jewelry in a dry, cool environment, somewhere it won't be exposed to environmental factors, including heat or direct sunlight.

*For body jewelry: Don't forget to clean your jewelry when you pull it out of storage, so you aren't inserting anything bad into your piercing.

Disclaimer: Everyone’s body is different and what works for one person might not work for another. For specific questions or help with your piercing, please visit a professional piercer in your area.