Cleaning and Care

Here is information on how to care for the various pieces we sell at Weaving Links Maille. 

All pieces made with anodized aluminum and stainless steel can be worn at all times, except while swimming. These pieces will do fine in the shower or washing dishes, but the chemicals used in swimming pools may damage the surfaces. 

Cleaning anodized aluminum:
Fill a bowl with warm water and a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap. Submerge piece fully in the water and let soak for about ten minutes. Rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth. Do not scrub or the color may scratch off.

Cleaning bright aluminum:
Fill a bowl with warm water and a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap. Submerge piece fully in the water and let soak for about 10 minutes. Rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth.

Cleaning stainless steel:
Fill a bowl with warm water and a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap. Submerge piece fully in the water and let soak for about ten minutes. Rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth. Alternatively, you can create a paste with baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the stainless steel, ensuring it is fully covered, and let sit for about 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cloth. If necessary, buff the piece gently to achieve a shine. 

Pieces made with copper or bronze should be kept dry or they will tarnish quickly. These will tarnish during normal wear, but that will happen much slower. Titanium that air-dries can leave a spotty surface, so this should be kept dry as well. Therefore we recommend that you remove pieces containing copper, bronze, or titanium before showering. 

Cleaning copper:
Tarnished copper can be cleaned in a variety of ways--ketchup, lemon or lemon juice, baking soda, vinegar, etc. The simplest ways are to use either ketchup or lemon juice. 

To clean with ketchup, squeeze some into a bowl and submerge the piece fully. Let sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. Wash the piece off with soap and water, using a soft toothbrush if necessary. If some areas are still tarnished, cover those spots with a layer of ketchup and let sit for another 10 to 15 minutes. Wash off with soap and water, then pat dry with a soft cloth. 

To clean with lemon juice, mix equal parts lemon juice, salt, and water in a bowl. Submerge the piece and let sit for up to an hour. If necessary, use a soft toothbrush to scrub away dirt or tarnish. Rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth. 

Cleaning bronze:
Bronze can be cleaned by submerging the piece in a bowl of warm water and dish soap. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

Tarnished bronze can be cleaned with a lemon juice, white vinegar, or baking soda paste (mixture of water and baking soda). To use any of these methods, apply the cleaning agent directly to the tarnished area on the bronze and let sit for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cloth. 

Cleaning titanium:
Titanium jewelry can be cleaned by submerging the piece in a bowl of lukewarm water and dishwashing soap. Let sit for about 5 minutes, then rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth. You can also submerge your piece in ammonia (after the soap and water bath), then rinse and pat dry. Compressed air can be used to dry the piece thoroughly since letting titanium air-dry can result in a spotted surface.