This is the safest method and, honestly, the one that does most of the work. Fill a small bowl with lukewarm water, never hot, and add a few drops of mild dish soap. Take the earring backs off and let each piece sit separately in the bowl, so nothing rubs together. Leave them for ten to fifteen minutes. The oil, sweat and lotion lift off during this soak, so you’re not scrubbing yet. Do it over a bowl rather than an open sink, because small earrings vanish down drains very fast.