How To Clean & Care For Men’s Bracelets

You’ve just purchased a beautifully crafted bracelet, and want to keep it looking its best for the long haul. The easiest option to ensure your bracelet never gets dirty or damaged is to keep it locked up in a safe place, never to be worn. But where’s the fun in that? From sterling silver, and beaded bracelets, to stainless steel and leather, we’ve got tips to keep your bracelet looking brand new for years to come.

No matter the material, men’s bracelets need tender love and care to keep them looking fresh and new, and with so many dangers threatening their shine and design, it’s easy to feel a bit lost on how to properly care for your bracelet.

So, instead of locking up your bracelet to hide it from the cruel and hazardous outside world, follow the simple guidelines below to keep it safe and looking just as good as the day it arrived on your doorstep. And when the bracelet inevitably does get dirty, don’t panic, we’ll teach you how to carefully clean it.

How To Care For Men’s Bracelets

First and most importantly, clean your bracelet regularly. Because everyday wear, along with sweat, body oils, and fingerprints can leave your bracelet looking dull and dirty, a simple mix of warm water and a drop or two of mild soap is recommended to clean most men’s bracelets. Carefully wipe it clean and dry it well to keep it looking its best.

Next, remember to store your bracelet safely. It’s important to keep your bracelets somewhere where they will not scratch each other. Instead of piling them up on your dresser or in a drawer, invest in a jewelry stand to keep your bracelets separated. When heading on vacation or for a day at the beach, do not place them in a plastic bag as moisture build-up can produce mold and mildew to grow.

Look out for warning signs of damage. Remember to always put your bracelets on carefully, making certain not to overstretch, bend, or pull them. With love and care, your bracelet can keep looking brand new for years. And when you do notice a bit of damage, make certain not to make it worse.

How To Take Care Of Men’s Beaded Bracelets

Beaded bracelets are some of the most worn bracelets out there and therefore can be some of the trickiest to keep looking pristine and untouched. Though the quality of the beads plays a huge factor in how long your bracelet will last, there are steps you can take to help with its longevity.

Keep your beaded bracelet dry. Although a small amount of water won’t hurt, like a light splash here and there, never shower or swim wearing beaded bracelets. Also, take care when washing your hands.
Take off your beaded bracelet when necessary. Beaded bracelets are meant to be worn daily, however, avoid wearing them during strenuous workouts and activities as this may cause scratches or the stone beads to break.
Remember to remove your beaded bracelet while sleeping so it doesn’t get stretched out or damaged.
Protect your bracelet from creams and oils. Lotions, oils, sunscreen, and cologne can create a build-up between the beads or metal spacers, which can lead to discoloration and damage, so remove your bracelet before using any of these products.
Keep your bracelet out of harsh, direct sunlight. Unfortunately, some gemstones lose their vibrancy or are damaged from direct sunlight so to avoid this problem, keep your bracelet on a jewelry stand in a darker area of your room. When at the beach, keep your bracelet off the hot sand.
Keep your bracelet clean. No matter how careful you are or how clean your bracelet looks, it will still need a good cleaning from time to time.
To clean a beaded bracelet, gently scrub with a soft cloth or soft toothbrush dipped in warm water with a small amount of mild soap. Then, use a damp cloth to wipe away any soap and dry with a soft cloth or towel. This method is safe for most gemstones and wooden beads.
For metal spacers and tags, polish them with a gentle cloth.

How To Take Care Of Men’s Sterling Silver Bracelets

Sterling silver is a popular choice when it comes to men’s bracelets, especially if you are allergic to other types of metals. However, it can be one of the most difficult materials to clean as it is easy to tarnish. This tarnish can make your sterling silver bracelet appear dirty and discolored, so it is important to regularly clean it to keep it shining.

Wear your sterling silver bracelet often. It may sound counterintuitive, but you can avoid tarnishing your bracelet by wearing it regularly. Your skin’s oils help to cleanse the silver and keep it looking shiny and new.
Wipe down your bracelet between wears. Though you don’t need to clean it fully after each wear, make certain it is completely dry before storing.
Avoid Exposure. Keep your sterling silver away from any substances containing sulfur, and household chemicals as these can cause a reaction that will quickly tarnish and corrode your bracelet.
Take your bracelet off when applying cosmetics, lotion, hair products, and cologne as these products accelerate tarnish.
Sterling Silver bracelets are a beautiful accessory but are not meant to be worn at the gym, playing sports, or during outdoor activities. When you remove your bracelet for these purposes make certain it is stored in an airtight case as humidity and sunlight can cause damage.
Storage is key. Exposure to air can cause sterling silver to tarnish, so make sure to store it in individual airtight containers or bags to avoid discoloration and scratching.
Regularly clean your sterling silver bracelet. There are several ways to clean sterling silver. The simplest choice is to clean it with a polishing cloth. This is best to use when the tarnishing is minimal.
Another option is to use warm water and a few drops of mild soap. Gently wash and dry the bracelet with a soft cloth, and then leave it out to air dry.
You can also choose to use a mixture of two parts baking soda and one part water to create a paste. Carefully rub the mixture onto the jewelry and let the paste dry completely. Then rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
One more option is to mix together a ½ cup of lemon juice, and a tablespoon of olive oil, and then dip a clean cloth into the solution and gently rub the silver until it shines. Be sure to then rinse and dry the bracelet.
Finally, you can soak it for two to three hours in a ½ cup of white vinegar with two tablespoons of baking soda. Rinse and then polish your piece.

How To Take Care Of Men’s Stainless Steel Bracelets

Stainless steel is a tough metal known for being durable, long-lasting, and rust-resistant. Although this material is as sturdy as they come, you can still take steps to protect your bracelet to make it last a lifetime.

Keep your stainless steel bracelet dry. While it is perfectly safe to shower with your bracelet on, make certain no other materials are present, such as gold plating, as habitual exposure to water and scrubbing can strip it.
Ensure no water or soap is trapped in your bracelet’s crevices. It is suggested to take your bracelet off before showering, however, if it does get wet make certain to dry it thoroughly to avoid damage.
Remove your bracelet before sleeping. Though stainless steel is as tough as they come, there is still a chance that the metal plating can wear off after continuous wear during sleep.
Protect your stainless steel bracelet from oils and creams. Take your bracelet off before putting on any lotion, sunscreen, cologne, or tanning oil.
Keep your stainless steel bracelet clean. To clean it, mix a few drops of mild soap with warm water. Use a soft cloth and gently wipe your bracelet.
Make sure to rinse your bracelet with water and dry it with a soft towel. Let it finish air-drying. You can then use a polishing cloth for extra shine.

How To Take Care Of Men’s Leather Bracelets

Men’s leather bracelets are the perfect accessory for any style or occasion. If well taken care of, they can instantly turn any look from drab to chic. However, if not treated properly they can easily turn into something completely unwearable.

Number one rule: keep your leather bracelets dry. Leather is a porous material that is not meant for water. Because it isn’t waterproof, liquids easily damage it, causing it to stain, discolor or deteriorate.
If your leather bracelet does get wet, first gently brush off the droplets and then use an absorbent cloth to pat (not scrub) the excess water. Once that is complete leave it to air-dry.
Avoid excessive heat. Remove your bracelet while sleeping and working out. Make certain you store it in a cool, dry place as extreme heat can dry it out and leave it shriveled.
Protect your bracelet from creams and oils. Take your bracelet off before applying moisturizer, oils, sunscreen, or cologne. While most aren’t damaging, they will build up a film on the leather that can leave it looking and feeling dull.
Keep your bracelet clean. To clean men’s leather bracelets, use a slightly damp cloth with a drop of mild hand soap and gently use small circles or a gentle tapping motion to wipe it down. Wipe with a clean damp cloth afterward and allow the bracelet to air-dry.
Some leather bracelets may need to be conditioned with a leather conditioner for extra protection. Follow the instructions on the bottle for the best results.

When To Remove Your Bracelet

Remove all types of bracelets (beaded, sterling silver, stainless steel, and leather) before swimming. Saltwater from the ocean or sea will damage nearly every bracelet you can put on. It causes beads to dull, elastic to wear, steel and silver to tarnish, and leather to shrink, crack, shrivel, and yes, even mold. Another reason to remove all bracelets before taking a dip in the ocean is that shiny objects can attract sharks and other ocean dwellers.
Remove your bracelet before swimming in a pool as well. Many pools use chlorine and other harsh chemicals as treatments. As you may have guessed, these coarse chemicals are not kind to your bracelets and can cause them to erode and discolor gemstones and even stainless steel. Chlorine has the power to break down the surface layer of the metal, causing the bracelet to tarnish, corrode and dissolve.
Remove bracelets before heavy exercise or strenuous activities. Just like water, sweat can break down your bracelet’s material over a period of time. It can cause metal plating to wear off, the elastic in beaded bracelets to stretch out and become fragile, and also cause leather bracelets to weaken, crack and even smell bad. While you are still encouraged to wear your bracelet during your daily activities, don’t forget to take it off before you hit the gym.
Remove all bracelets before applying cosmetics such as lotions, sunscreens and tanning oils, or colognes. These products have a habit of getting into crevices, clogging locks, and coating leather, and beads, which will make your bracelet look dull. Think of your bracelet as the finishing touch to any outfit and put it on as you walk out the door.
Remove bracelets if you’re sitting in direct sunlight. While you can still enjoy your bracelet while you’re outside, remember to remove it if you are lying in the sun at the beach or pool. Sunlight can naturally bleach certain materials, and leave beads looking discolored. It also does a number on plastics, such as elastic bands, and causes them to weaken and even break.
Remove your bracelet before playing in the sand or gardening. While your bracelet may perfectly match your swimsuit, sand can scratch your stainless steel, sterling silver, or beaded bracelet. The same goes for when you’re gardening. Small stones and dirt can cause damage and scrape your bracelet.

If you follow these simple tips, your bracelet is sure to look as shiny and new as the day you ordered it.