Ketchup... to clean jewelry?

It works. But proceed with caution Connie Park YOUR GUIDE: Zoe Vanderweide I recently wrote a story on [how to clean and care for jewelry]( as usual, I quickly found myself spiraling deep down the research rabbit hole. I scoured the internet for tips and tricks. I spoke with experts from the [Gemological Institute of America]( and the Brooklyn-based fine jewelry company [Catbird](. And I spent an eye-opening afternoon rubbing, scrubbing, and buffing a veritable treasure chest of baubles at [our Long Island City testing facility](. Along the way, I picked up a handful of weird and wonderful facts. Did you know that opals can crack under bright sunlight? Or that pearls get more lustrous the more you wear them? Oh, and if you seal a silver necklace in a plastic bag with a hard boiled egg, it’ll turn black. But here’s my favorite hack: Ketchup, the [third-favorite condiment]( in the US, is also a remarkably effective jewelry cleaner. We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. [Learn more ›]( Though I don’t need any convincing that ketchup has magical properties (I’ve seen it transform broccoli rabe into something my 5-year-old will actually eat), I’ll confess I was skeptical at the idea of dipping my necklaces along with my fries. Indeed, in [our guide to cleaning silver]( staff writer Michael Sullivan consulted several experts who were none too keen on the use of ketchup as a cleaning solution. But my internet research kept leading me back to its de-tarnishing powers—so, obviously, I had to test it. Before dunking any valuables, I wanted to understand why, exactly, the experts urge caution. Ketchup is acidic, and it operates on a chemical level to dissolve the layer of tarnish that forms on metals like brass and sterling silver. It’s not abrasive, but its acidity does have the potential to etch or dull soft metals. So, the reasoning goes, it’s best not to use this method on your finest family heirlooms. That said, ketchup is not that acidic—it rates a relatively [mild 3.9 on the pH scale](. So in my (non-expert) opinion, the risk was acceptable for a less-precious piece. “When the alarm rang, I felt the thrill of anticipation: Would the jewelry emerge wearable or ruined?” Brass jewelry, which is harder (and less expensive) than sterling silver, seemed like a good place to begin. Audience development manager Sofia Sokolove agreed to offer up one of her own well-worn necklaces. It was the perfect specimen: a once-gleaming bauble, this “Baby” had been languishing unworn for too long under a layer of blackish-green grime. Would ketchup be the secret sauce to restoring its brilliance? Like a regular denizen of the internet, I consulted [wikiHow]( for a step-by-step primer on using ketchup to polish brass. First, I filled a small bowl with a generous squirt of Heinz Tomato Ketchup, enough to fully submerge the tarnished area of metal. Then I set a timer for 45 minutes and went about my business. When the alarm rang, I felt the thrill of anticipation: Would the jewelry emerge wearable or ruined? Connie Park I removed the necklace from its ketchup bath, dunked it in a bowl of warm, soapy water, and watched as the red stuff rinsed away to reveal a shiny, yellow surface beneath. Without an ounce of elbow grease, the patina had vanished! Close inspection betrayed no signs of etching or damage. This, my friends, was a stunning development (I typically equate the words “home remedy” with “doesn’t actually work”). I’m pretty sure Sofia even gasped when she saw her “Baby” returned to its former glory. [You can check out the necklace before and after its ketchupy spa day here](. Ultimately, the choice to bathe your valuables in ketchup (or anything else, for that matter) rests with you. If you’ve got a priceless piece of silver, it’s probably wise to hold off on the DIYs and take it to a professional. But for those items that don’t need too much babying, an hour-long soak in my kid’s favorite “food” might be just the thing. For us, this was a worthwhile experiment: It effectively transformed a brass necklace that would otherwise have sat collecting dust—and more tarnish—back into something that can be worn and enjoyed. [Today’s gift idea]( [The Lekue Silicone Bread Maker.]( 30 days of gifts [For the bold baker]( ...who craves the satisfaction of a steamy, uneven crumb but doesn’t have the space (or time) for a breadmaker, [this pliable silicone bowl]( can tuck in even the most crowded cabinets. [Get the Lekue Silicone Bread Maker]( [View email in browser]( You are receiving this email because you signed up for Wirecutter’s Newsletter. Getting too many emails from us? To stop receiving these, [unsubscribe here](. 
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