Swarovski crystal beads are extremely popular for jewellery crafting projects. Great for adding to bracelets or necklaces, these stunning crystal beads are both beautiful and affordable. However, if you want to ensure your beads stay beautiful, you’re going to need to make sure you take good care of them.
Like any jewellery, Swarovski crystal beads need to be taken care of if they’re going to last. So, how should you care for your crystal beads?
There are a few care instructions you’ll need to follow to ensure you properly look after your Swarovski crystal beads. Firstly, it really helps to know the things you should avoid when caring for crystal-bead embellished items.
It’s important not to use sonic cleaners, commercial jewellery cleaners or boiling water when cleaning the crystals. You’ll typically find that commercial jewellery cleaners contain alcohol or ammonia, which can damage the plating on Swarovski jewellery.
You’ll also want to avoid spraying perfume, applying hand cream and using hair spray when you’re wearing the beads. Also, avoid wearing the jewellery when washing up, doing the laundry or having a bath. These types of activities can really damage the crystal beads over time.
It’s important to clean Swarovski crystal beads frequently if you want them to retain their beautiful sparkle. You’ll want to make sure you’re using an antistatic cloth to clean and dry the crystals, removing light layers of dust.
If the crystal beads have developed a heavier layer of dust and dirt, you can use lukewarm water, along with a little dish detergent, to gently remove it. Be aware that if your jewellery contains both Swarovski bicone beads and Swarovski pearls, you’ll want to avoid washing them as the pearls need to be buffed with a clean dry cloth, rather than washed.
The way that you store your jewellery is also important if you want to avoid scratching and damaging the crystal beads. Ideally, you’ll want to store them in a soft pouch when you’re not wearing them. Also avoid keeping them anywhere near direct sunlight, as over time they could fade and lose their sparkle.
Overall, if you want your Swarovski crystal beads to withstand the test of time, you’ll want to make sure you’re following the advice above. It takes just a few minutes to care for the crystal beads, yet you’ll potentially add years onto their lifespan.