How to Clean Swarovski Crystals: The Ultimate Care Guide

Swarovski crystals are beautiful things. Beautiful, yet delicate.

If you’re the lucky owner of a piece of Swarovski jewellery or a Swarovski crystal figurine, you’ll want to know how to keep it in pristine condition. Each crystal is individually set and the metals are delicately plated, which means you’ll need to take special care when wearing, cleaning, handling and storing your Swarovski crystals. We’ve put together a simple guide on how to clean Swarovski crystal jewellery and crystal figurines to help you keep your crystals in sparkling condition for years to come.

Cleaning Swarovski Crystals

What are Swarovski crystals? Swarovski crystal is made from a form of glass that’s specially made at high temperatures to produce a captivatingly glistening finish. With that being said, you need to make sure that you’re always looking after their lustre.

With a Dry Cloth

This method is best for light cleaning and general maintenance. Simply hold your Swarovski crystal necklace, ring, bracelet or figurine in one hand (wear cotton gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints) and gently buff your crystals with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to remove any dirt and dust.

Polish each crystal with a smooth, circular motion to restore original lustre and beauty. Remember to always use a light touch to avoid the cloth snagging on metal casings or sharper edges, and never use any hard objects to scrape dirt off your crystals. Any stubborn marks can be removed with soapy water, see below for this method.

With a Toothbrush and Soapy Water

This method is ideal for periodic ‘deep cleans’ and helps remove any tougher dirt that may have built up. You will need a soft-bristle toothbrush (an old one will do), a small bowl of warm water and a little washing-up liquid or mild soap. You will also need a soft, dry, lint-free towel or cloth for drying at the end.

Dip your brush in the water to moisten the bristles, then add a very small drop of dishwashing liquid or soap to the brush. Then, focusing on one crystal at a time, gently brush to remove dirt and dust from your jewellery or figurine. Try not to scrub, but rather use a gentle circular motion, much like the soft cloth method.

Once you’ve cleaned crystals from Swarovski to your satisfaction, hold your jewellery under the tap for a few seconds to rinse away any remaining soap. TIP: Make sure you cover the plughole before you do this, as the crystals will be slippery and you don’t want to drop them down the drain! Rinse your crystals thoroughly, as any prolonged contact with cleaning products can weaken the metal plating of your jewellery.

Once rinsed, gently pat your crystals dry with your lint-free towel or cloth. For best results, finish manually drying your crystals and then lay them out on a towel to dry thoroughly. Make sure they are completely dry before putting them away.

Connoisseurs Jewellery Cleaners for Swarovski Crystals

Flat back Swarovski crystals, especially those found in jewellery, can also be cleaned by the Connoisseurs Delicate Jewellery Cleaner. This product uses specialised agents to gently, but thoroughly clean all areas of the crystal, ensuring that even the hard-to-reach areas are concentrated on to leave the item glistening. The ingredients found in the easy-to-use solution are specially derived to clean crystals and semi-precious gemstones.

An Extra Note for Swarovski Crystal Figurines…

While you might be tempted to sit your Swarovski crystal ornaments in soapy water for a nice long soak; please don’t! This can damage your figurine and really isn’t necessary for cleaning. You should also avoid using harsh, abrasive materials or glass cleaners to clean your figurines; just a soft bristle brush and some soapy water will do.  

Caring for Swarovski Crystals

Aside from regularly cleaning crystals, there are many other things you can do to protect and care for your crystal jewellery. Here are a few extra top tips on how to care for your jewellery and keep your crystals in brilliant condition:

1. Avoid Contact with Beauty Products

Swarovski crystals found in earrings, bracelets and necklaces are perfect for dazzling on a snazzy night out, but, as a rule of thumb, you should leave putting on your jewellery until the very last thing when getting ready. This is because the chemicals in your make-up, hairspray, body lotions and perfumes can damage the thin, delicate metal plating in your jewellery, leaving it prone to weakness and discolouration.

Putting your jewellery on last will help prevent large amounts of any product from coming into contact with the delicate materials, though it’s good practice to also give your jewellery a rinse and clean after wearing as an extra precaution.

2. Avoid Swimming & Showering with your Crystals On

Make sure you remove your Swarovski necklaces before going swimming, showering, taking a bath or washing your hands. Swimming pools and hot tubs contain chlorine, which can weaken and damage the delicate plating on your crystals and diminish their beautiful lustre. Likewise, the soaps and perfumed body care products commonly used in showering, bathing and handwashing can also cause irreversible damage to your precious Swarovski bracelets, rings and other pieces, so it’s best to remove them and place them somewhere safe beforehand.

Storing Your Crystal Jewellery

And finally, it’s time to talk storage. Correct and careful storage is just as important as cleaning Swarovski crystals UK if you want to keep them looking their best. The best way to store these crystals is inside a soft cloth bag, or inside the box it came in. You should keep pieces such as Swarovski crystal bracelets stored separately from all other jewellery to prevent scratching, tangling and bumping, plus this will help you quickly find the pieces you’re looking for.

Now you’re an expert on cleaning Swarovski crystal jewellery there’s no stopping you! Your beautiful crystals will stay beautiful and bright for years to come; all it takes is a little TLC.

For more jewellery cleaning tips for your Swarovski crystals, make sure to check out our ultimate guide to jewellery care and our guide on how to clean your Nomination bracelet using everyday ingredients!