How to Clean Stainless Steel Jewelry
Clean 316L stainless steel and 18K PVD gold plated jewelry with lukewarm water, two drops of mild pH-neutral soap and a soft toothbrush, then rinse and dry fully with a microfibre cloth. That is the whole method — no polish dips, no abrasives. Below is the full routine, plus how to keep the waterproof, non-tarnish finish looking new for years.
The five-minute routine
1. Mix a gentle bath
Add two drops of pH-neutral dish soap to a small bowl of lukewarm water. Never use bleach, chlorine, ammonia, vinegar or jewelry dips — they attack the PVD gold layer, not the steel underneath.
2. Soak for three to five minutes
Let the piece sit so body oils, perfume and sunscreen residue loosen. Five minutes is plenty; longer soaking gives clasps and chain links time to trap water.
3. Brush with a soft toothbrush
Work along the grain of the steel in short strokes. Pay attention to clasp hinges, charm bails and the back of pendants where dulling film builds up first.
4. Rinse in clean lukewarm water
Any soap left behind dries as a grey haze. Rinse both sides, holding the piece over a closed drain.
5. Dry completely, then polish
Pat dry with a lint-free microfibre cloth and leave it out for ten minutes before storing. Finish with a dry jewelry polishing cloth — never an abrasive pad, which will scratch the plating.
Keeping it waterproof and non-tarnish
Do
- ✦ Shower, swim and sweat in it — 316L steel is corrosion-resistant and our PVD finish is waterproof.
- ✦ Clean every two to four weeks with daily wear.
- ✦ Store pieces separately in a pouch or lined box so they cannot scratch each other.
- ✦ Put jewelry on last, after perfume, hairspray and sunscreen have dried.
Avoid
- ✦ Don't use silver dip, bleach, chlorine-heavy pool water for long soaks, or ultrasonic cleaners on plated pieces.
- ✦ Don't scrub plating with baking soda, toothpaste or abrasive cloths.
- ✦ Don't store pieces damp or sealed in plastic while wet.
- ✦ Don't wear it during heavy gym sessions with metal bars — impact marks, not tarnish, are the real risk.
Questions we get most
Does stainless steel jewelry tarnish?
Solid 316L surgical stainless steel does not tarnish — it contains chromium, which forms a passive layer that resists oxidation. What looks like tarnish is almost always a film of skin oils, lotion or soap residue that a soapy-water clean removes.
Can I shower and swim with 18K PVD gold plated jewelry?
Yes. PVD (physical vapour deposition) bonds the gold layer at a molecular level, so it is far more durable than standard electroplating. Rinse with fresh water after sea or heavily chlorinated pool swims to keep the finish bright.
How do I clean gold plated pieces without stripping the colour?
Use only lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush or cloth. Skip anything acidic or abrasive, and never use a jewelry cleaning solution intended for solid gold or silver.
How often should I clean my jewelry?
Every two to four weeks for pieces you wear daily, and after any workout, beach day or exposure to heavy perfume.
Every VORA piece is 316L surgical steel finished in triple-layer 18K PVD gold, backed by a 2-year colour guarantee.
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