Daily wear
- Put your jewelry on last: after lotion, sunscreen, perfume and hairspray have dried.
- Take it off first: before you swim, shower, clean with sprays or work out.
- Take huggies and studs out at night, so they do not rub against the pillow.
- Keep your phone off the side where you wear a large hoop.
Cleaning
- Wipe gold-plated pieces with a dry, soft cloth after you wear them.
- For a dull film, use a barely damp cloth, then dry the piece straight away.
- Skip jewelry dips, polishing cloths with abrasives and toothpaste: they take plating off with the dirt.
- Wipe resin and enamel with a dry cloth only, and keep them away from alcohol and perfume, which can cloud the surface.
Storage
- Give each piece its own pouch or compartment, so metal does not rub on metal.
- Fasten necklace clasps before you put them away, and lay chains flat to stop tangles.
- Store away from a steamy bathroom. A bedroom drawer keeps humidity down.
- Keep clip-ons closed in storage so the hinge holds its grip.
When to stop wearing a piece
If the skin under a piece itches, turns red or blisters, take the piece off. MedlinePlus notes that a contact rash can appear a day or two after wearing, so the cause is not always the pair you have on now. A doctor or a dermatologist can tell you what you are reacting to.
