What causes your jewelry to get dull and dirty? It’s usually going to be soaps, lotions, and body oils that create that cloudy, hazy affect. Also, there’s the environment: Pollution, dirt, and dust. Your everyday activities, from swimming to showering, gardening, and just being out in the world can collect grime.

Below is your failsafe guide for how to clean jewelry.

How often should you clean your jewelry?

“Little and often” is Nunns’ rule. “I would recommend wiping down your jewelry a few times a week if you wear it every day,” she says. “Then, once a month, you can do a deeper clean of your favorite pieces. All you will need is warm water, dish soap, a soft toothbrush, and a cloth.” Nunns advises to stay away from alcohol-based cleaners. “I would generally steer clear of using alcohol to clean jewelry. It isn’t necessary and can damage certain materials. Alcohol can also dry out the natural oils in gemstones causing them to look cracked.”

The internet is overrun with varying information, and Nunns also recommends being cautious when it comes to TikTok’s DIY cleaning hacks. “I’ve seen some slightly worrying ones encouraging you to dip your jewelry into harsh household chemicals which I would not recommend!” she says.

How to clean gold and gold-plated jewelry

Solid gold is durable and won’t tarnish. Gold-plated jewelry—where there’s a less expensive metal base coated in a thin layer of gold—can chip. Whatever the case, proceed carefully. Use a mild soap—washing up liquid works just fine, says Nunns—and some warm water. “Mild soap is crucial as anything too harsh can damage your jewelry, so avoid anything containing bleach or chlorine,” Nunns adds. Add a few drops of the soap to a small, warm water bath and carefully place your jewelry inside. You can let it soak for a few minutes. You can also recruit a soft toothbrush into your arsenal. “My top tip is to use a baby toothbrush as they have softer bristles,” she says. “Used wet or dry, a toothbrush can get into crevasses in jewelry that a cloth cannot reach.” Give it a final rinse. Then, once your jewelry is fully dry, buff it with a microfiber cloth. Avoid overcleaning plated pieces.

The most important facet of any jewelry cleaning routine, whatever kind you have, is to be gentle—no scrubbing or aggressive rubbing. That’s especially true for gold-plated or silver-plated pieces.

How to clean silver and sterling silver jewelry

Silver jewelry does tarnish. The main difference in the approach to looking after silver jewelry, Nunns says, is not so much in how you keep it clean, but in that it needs to be stored properly to reduce the risk of tarnishing. “Excessive exposure to air, moisture, and sunlight is what causes silver jewelry to tarnish, so always store silver pieces inside a lined jewelry box,” she explains. With her own brand Ballinger, she has created pretty velvet blue gift boxes that come with every order for your jewelry to be safely and chicly stored in.