It wasn't until my friend Neena made me two new bangles that I noticed just how tarnished my Alex and Ani bracelets had gotten. They looked so dingy compared with my shiny new gold wire. I tried soap and water but it didn't seem to do anything. Then I remembered I once had a rusted necklace I was able to restore by putting it in Coke. We don't really keep soda in the house, so I thought I'd try the similar trick of using Ketchup! I was really nervous to try this because Alex and Ani bracelets aren't cheap, and I didn't want to ruin them!
But, it worked! I put my bracelets on a paper plate, covered them in ketchup, and let them sit for 5 minutes. I could already see a difference before I even rinsed off the ketchup. Next, I rinsed them in the sink and used a scrub brush to wipe off all of the ketchup. They shined up beautifully!
 |
| Hover to Pin! |
Here is all you need: A paper plate, ketchup and your bracelets.
Here is my bracelet before:
Cover in ketchup and let sit for 5 minutes.
After!
 |
| Hover to Pin! |
Leave me a comment: Did it work for you? What other methods have you tried?
xoxo Kristen
Oh wow! Great tip!!
ReplyDeleteThe acid in the ketchup actually removes the plating. Best & safest way to clean the A&A bracelets as they are only plated, recycled metal is the tried and true way- using the original blue Dawn liquid dish soap a soft toothbrush and water. Hope this info helps you to keep your bracelets pristine for longer without damaging the plating. See other pins with washing instructions, (+) <3 :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input! Dawn, as always, works great for general cleaning.
DeleteMy bracelets were so so so tarnished, I had to try something else. I've done the ketchup trick several times and have never had a problem.
I am crossing my fingers that ketchup works. I have an armful of tarnished Alex and Ani bangles. I am done buying them, besides tarnishing, they easily lose their shape after mutiple wearings. Thanks Kristen for sharing what worked on your tarnished bracelets!
ReplyDeleteFor the price, it would be great if they didn't tarnish! I hope this trick works for you!
DeleteExactly!! I was super disappointed and shocked that these would tarnish so fast. I'm still baffled that, 1. for the price, the company does not make a better product, 2. so many people still buy it! Haha, yes that does include me but at the time I didn't know! Thanks for you tip!
DeleteI am definitely going to try this, it is very sad they do tarnish. Thank you for the great post.
ReplyDeleteKetchup worked great!!. Thank you for the tip.
ReplyDeleteI tried the Dawn dishwashing liquid and soft tooth brush......mine still look tarnished....cleaner but tarnished. Afraid to do the ketchup thing though.
ReplyDeleteTry earthgrace.com They are beautiful and they are not plated.
ReplyDeleteYes they are plated it says so right on their website.
DeleteOrder Status Find Store
Home/ ALEX AND ANI FAQs
LEARN MORE
The Company
In the Press
Careers
Affiliate Program
Blog
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
NEED HELP?
Retail Locations
FAQs
Product Care
Shipping & Returns
Contact Us
Gift Cards
FAQ's
ORDERING
E-GIFT CARDS
SHIPPING
RETURNS
PRODUCT INFORMATION
WARRANTY
Jewelry
How can I clean my jewelry?
How can I tell if my ALEX AND ANI is authentic?
How expandable are your expandable bangles?
Can I add multiple charms to one bangle?
Can I design my own charm?
What is the difference between RAFAELIAN GOLD Finish and RAFAELIAN SILVER Finish?
Our RAFAELIAN SILVER Finish and RAFAELIAN GOLD Finish are our most popular finishes. They are a rich, eco-conscious matte Silver and Gold finish plated on a brass base. They have an antique look from the oxidation process and are coated with anti-tarnish to protect the piece and hold its finish. Alternatively, Shiny Silver Finish and Yellow Gold Finish (also eco-conscious finishes) are a polished Silver and Gold plated on a brass base. They are also coated with anti-tarnish to protect the piece and hold its finish. Not all bangles are available in every finish.
Back to top
Are there color varations for beads and natural stones/gemstones?
Home and Leather Goods
How can I care for my LIGHT AND IGNITE Candle?
Where is the leather sourced from?
What is the material inside the leather goods?
How is the leather treated?
How can I clean my leather?
How should I store my leather?
Will the color rub off of my leather?
FIND A STORE
ZIP CODE
SEARCH
STAY IN TOUCH
NEVER MISS A THING!
ENTER EMAIL ADDRESS
SUBSCRIBE
LEARN MORE
NEED HELP?
© 2017 Alex and Ani, LLCENERGY
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCeltic rings were cherished by the ancient Celts and they considered them one of the strongest symbols of marriage, or as a way to convey messages of never-ending love either between god and humanity or between man and woman.
ReplyDeleteknot ring
What about the cleaning cloth Alex and Ani sells?
ReplyDeleteI have not tried it!
DeleteI've only used the Alex and Ani polishing cloth on my Alex and Ani bracelets. The cloth cleaned and shined the bracelets but the tarnished areas remained tarnished.
ReplyDeletearmygirlforlife
Hello, it's actually the vinegar in the ketchup that cleans away the tarnish. I sit mine in a 2 parts vinegar 1 part water mix, for about 10 to 15 mins. I then wash the solution off with Dawn, which gets the smell out as well as make them shine. My bracelets are gorgeous
ReplyDeleteWhite vinegar?
ReplyDeleteI was skeptical to try this since my bracelets were so so tarnished but I tried it on one and it went back to being super shiny and I am super happy with the results so I did the rest of my bracelets, and they all look fantastic. None of my bracelets are ruined all are restored perfectly I highly recommend this for cleaning them!
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant!! (And not to seem like a creep by commenting on an old post--this post was in your popular post section which is how I found it! haha)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! Trying this today!
ReplyDeleteIt worked
ReplyDeleteI used a silver cloth that took tarnish off, but the ring that holds the charm didn't change. I will try the vinegar trick. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI stopped buying alex and ani bracelets also but my mom recently bought me the Harry Potter earrings and when she was in the store she told the associate we had stopped buying and they said we could bring our tarnished bracelets in for new ones... haven’t tried yet but thought I would share.
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteDidn't know ketchup could be this efficient on keeping my jewels all clean and ready to be used. Having the ability to clean your jewels would make it presentable anytime you wear it.
ReplyDelete