Medical IDs Save Lives

How to Care for Your Medical Alert Jewelry

 

Medical alert bracelets and necklaces need some occasional care and attention to keep your jewelry looking its best. Custom engraved medical IDs can take hours to make, but only require a few seconds to clean properly. Here are some helpful tips from our product team to keep your ID in great shape.

 

Recommended Cleaning Frequency

 

We recommend your medical ID be worn at all times to keep you safe in an emergency. This means that this important accessory is often worn during activities where chemicals such as laundry detergent, soap, or shampoo, and even bacteria may come in contact with the ID.

To help reduce wear from these harsh substances, we recommend cleaning your medical alert jewelry once a week. If contact with chemicals and harsh substances occurs daily, we recommend wiping down your ID each day to prevent unwanted tarnish. The proper cleaning methods for your ID will depend on the type of metal your jewelry is made with.


Cleaning Methods for Medical IDs in Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel, Gold or Gold-Filled, and Titanium

Metal Type of Jewelry Cleaning Method Storage Chemicals and Environments to Avoid

Sterling Silver

Treated polishing cloth

Do not mix with gold and silver. Store sterling silver jewelry separately or use a jewelry box with compartments.

Household cleaners that contain ammonia and/or chlorine.

Stainless Steel

Non-abrasive cloth dipped in a bowl of soap and warm water. Rinse and dry with clean cloth.

Store in sealed container or zip-lock bag to avoid scratching.

Chlorinated products such as chlorine bleach and chlorine found in swimming pools.

Gold and Gold-Filled

Use a soft chamois cloth to clean and buff jewelry.

Store separately or wrap each item in a soft cloth. Do not store with other metals.

Acidic environment such as acidic skin or air can cause tarnish. Cleaners that contain ammonia and/or chlorine.

Titanium

Non-abrasive soap or cleanser and water. Dry completely with a soft cloth.

Keep jewelry in a soft cloth or bag.

Metal polishers and scrubbing soap.

 

These tips apply to medical ID plates, neck and wrist chains, charms, and pendants that are made with the metals mentioned above. Proper cleaning and storage of jewelry can help protect it from stains, scratches and tarnishes.


Medical ID Jewelry and Tarnishes

 

Tarnish is a natural occurrence for any metal except gold. It appears as a dark coating on silver medical ID bracelets and necklaces. Tarnish can also decrease the legibility of a medical ID’s custom engraving.

 

  • Preventing Tarnish: Proper care and storage of medical IDs can help slow the rate of tarnish. Since tarnish is the result of a chemical reaction with the environment and oxidation, keeping jewelry in a cool, dry, and air-tight storage will prevent tarnish from forming.
  • Removing Tarnish: Tarnish occurs in different stages. It is important to remove tarnish as soon as it is noticed and not wait until the tarnish is severe and has spread deep into the jewelry.
  • Treated polishing cloths are the most ideal for removing tarnish. These cloths are pretreated and can help restore the original shine and sparkle of your medical alert jewelry. A treated polishing cloth should be stored in a resealable bag to keep it effective.



Do you have any questions on how to care for your medical ID? Send us a message.

We’d love to help keep your medical ID in the best shape to serve its purpose of keeping you or loved ones safe in an emergency. Thank you for choosing American Medical ID.