If you've ever scrolled through TikTok you'll know that it's filled to the brim with helpful tips and tricks you most likely can't believe you didn't know before. From make-up hacks to cleaning tips, everyday is a school day.
For those who are regular scrollers, you might have seen a recent 'hack' which went viral on the app, teaching users how to transform grubby-looking Pandora bracelets into looking brand new again in a matter of minutes.
The hack involved soaking the bracelet in boiling water combined with baking soda and salt for five minutes, and according to all the videos, it seemed to work.
But, while we do love a quick fix, it turns out the cleaning hack could actually be doing a lot more harm than good, a spokesperson from Pandora has warned.
"The most popular cleaning hack taking TikTok by storm over the past week has been putting your jewellery in an aluminium foil lined bowl with a mixture of baking soda, salt and boiling water," Sarah Rowlands told the Mirror.
"While the immediate results of this hack can appear very effective at cleaning your jewellery, the baking soda is a very harsh and abrasive ingredient that will scratch your delicate jewellery."
Anyone who continuously uses this cleaning method is highly likely to damage the jewellery, especially plated pieces, as the harsh combination can cause erosion to the surface of the plating.
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"Even just using boiling water can be a risky choice as this may encourage your gems or stones to dislodge as the heat melts the bonding glue keeping them securely in place," Sarah added.
"Another popular idea you should give a miss is using an old toothbrush to scrape away the dirt that accumulates in the intricate gaps of your jewellery. Again, this is much too harsh for your precious metals, and, not to mention, spreads bacteria from the old toothbrush to your jewellery."
Instead, she says, jewellery wearers should keep their pieces in perfect condition by having annual services with a professional jeweller, to ensure they're cleaned safely, while making sure nothing is at risk of falling apart.
"For regular maintenance, jewellery cleaning solutions are a quick two-minute dip with liquid that is specifically formulated with gentle, non-abrasive surfactants to clean your jewellery without causing damage," Sarah continued.
"You should also buff your jewellery with a polishing cloth every now and then to keep on top of any tarnish that naturally occurs with exposure to the air. This will keep your jewellery shining with minimal effort.
"However, if you’re in need of a quick on the spot fix, the safest hack to clean up a dirty piece of jewellery is to place it in lukewarm water with some washing-up liquid and leave to soak.
"If you have a new, soft bristle brush then gently brush over your jewellery focusing on any nooks and crannies and only rinse with warm water."
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