How to Clean Stainless Steel Body Jewelry Safely

Cleaning your stainless steel jewelry is usually a simple matter of restoring its shine. But when it comes to body jewelry—like belly button rings, nose studs, or industrial bars—cleaning becomes about much more than sparkle. It's about your health.

The foundation of a safe and happy piercing is choosing the right material, and high-quality, implant-grade 316L stainless steel jewelry is an industry standard for a reason. But even the best material requires proper, safe cleaning.

This guide will provide you with professional, safety-first instructions on how to clean your body jewelry, with different methods for new piercings versus fully healed ones.

The Golden Rule: Know Your Piercing's Status

Before you do anything, you must know if your piercing is still healing or fully healed.

• Healing Piercing (New - 12+ months): Still tender, may have occasional discharge, and has not been without jewelry for extended periods. Do not remove the jewelry for cleaning.

• Healed Piercing: Completely comfortable, no pain or discharge, and you can easily remove and re-insert the jewelry.

If you are ever in doubt, consult the professional piercer who performed the piercing.

Scenario 1: Caring for a New or Healing Piercing

During the healing phase, your focus is on cleaning the piercing site itself, not the jewelry. The goal is to create a clean environment for your body to heal without causing irritation.

The Professional Standard: The Association of Professional Piercers (APP), a leading authority on body safety, recommends a simple and effective routine:

1. Use a Sterile Saline Solution: Purchase a sterile saline spray from a pharmacy or your piercer. It should contain only 0.9% sodium chloride and water, with no other additives.

2. Spray the Area: 2-3 times a day, gently spray the saline solution on the entry and exit points of your piercing.

3. Pat Dry Gently: Use a clean, disposable paper towel to gently pat the surrounding area dry. Do not use a cloth towel, which can harbor bacteria and snag on the jewelry.

That's it. Do not twist, turn, or move the jewelry. Do not remove it. Let your body do the healing work.

Scenario 2: Routine Cleaning for Jewelry in Healed Piercings

Once your piercing is fully healed, you can safely remove your stainless steel jewelry for a more thorough cleaning.

1. Wash Your Hands: Always start by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water.

2. Prepare a Mild Soap Solution: In a clean bowl, mix a few drops of a mild, fragrance-free liquid soap with warm water.

3. Wash the Jewelry: Submerge the jewelry in the soapy water. Use your clean fingers or a very soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean all parts of the jewelry, including any balls, gems, and threads.

4. Rinse Completely: This is a critical step. Rinse the jewelry under running water until every trace of soap is gone. Soap residue can cause irritation when the jewelry is re-inserted.

5. Dry Thoroughly: Pat the jewelry completely dry with a fresh paper towel.

How to Sanitize Jewelry Before Insertion

If you are inserting a new piece of stainless steel jewelry into a fully healed piercing, you may want to sanitize it at home. Note that this is not the same as professional sterilization.

The Boiling Method:

1. Place your solid metal jewelry in a small pot of water.

2. Bring the water to a rolling boil and let it boil for 5-10 minutes.

3. Turn off the heat and let the jewelry cool down completely in the water.

4. Using a clean utensil, remove the jewelry and place it on a fresh paper towel to air dry before handling.

Important: This method is only for solid stainless steel jewelry. Do not boil pieces with acrylic, plastic, or delicate gemstones.

What to NEVER Use on Your Piercing

The APP and piercing professionals strongly advise against using the following, as they are too harsh and can delay healing or cause severe irritation:

• Rubbing Alcohol & Hydrogen Peroxide

• Harsh Soaps (with fragrances, dyes, or strong antibacterial agents)

• Antibiotic Ointments (they trap bacteria and block air circulation)

Your piercing's health starts with choosing high-quality, body-safe materials from a trusted stainless steel jewelry collection. By following these safe and simple cleaning practices, you ensure both your piercing and your jewelry stay healthy and beautiful for years to come.