Jewelry trends may come and go, but you can always count on gold as a valuable mainstay that will never go out of style. Whether you wear your gold jewelry daily or only pull it out for special occasions, you'll want to know how to keep it looking bright and lustrous at all times. Little John's Derby Jewelry has got the breakdown for safely cleaning your gold jewelry at home with commonly found kitchen items. From your everyday basics to your prized custom bling, you can clean your gold jewelry by following our techniques outlined below.
Tools To Clean Gold Jewelry
- A soft bristled toothbrush or similar small brush
- Polishing cloth or soft hand towel (microfiber is ok)
- Bowl or container large enough to submerge jewelry
Items Needed For Cleaning
- Lukewarm water
- Mild dish soap
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Windex
- Seltzer water
How To Prepare Your Gold Cleaning Solution
There are multiple effective ingredients and at-homes solutions you can use to maintain your gold jewelry. Depending on what you have on hand, clean your gold with one of the following options:
- Mix lukewarm water with a few drops of dish soap, such as Dawn. This cleansing solution is mild and effective for all types of jewelry, including those with gemstones.
- Mix 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water to create a paste which can be used to lift away grime and tarnish. This should only be used on gold jewelry without any stones.
- White vinegar can be used for soaking gold jewelry as is and does not need to be mixed with anything.
- Seltzer water is a good alternative to water thanks to its bubbly carbonation which can help to loosen buildup in hard-to-reach places.
The Different Cleaning Techniques
Depending on the kind of gold you're working with, and whether your jewelry piece has settings, choose one of the following techniques to complete your at home cleaning:
Soak Technique:
The easiest way to get your gold gleaming is with the tried-and-true soak technique. This is safe to use on yellow, white, and rose gold jewelry and is gentle enough for gemstones that are considered fragile or porous.
- Submerge your gold jewelry in your prepared solution for 10-15 minutes.
- Gently scrub all surfaces with a soft toothbrush to remove dirt and grime.
- Rinse the jewelry under cool running water to remove any soapy suds.
- Dry your gold piece with a soft lint-free cloth, then lay flat to air dry.
Buff Technique:
If your gold jewelry needs a bit more buffing, baking soda is a great gentle cleanser that can scrub away stubborn build-up, but should be approached with some caution. If your paste is too gritty, you risk scratching the surface of your gold, which is why this is not recommended for white or rose gold jewelry.
- Mix 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water to create a paste-like texture.
- Use a soft cloth or cotton balls to gently massage and buff the paste mixture into the surfaces of your gold.
- Carefully rinse with cool water.
- Let the piece air dry on its own on top of a clean cloth.
If you have more questions about caring for your gold jewelry, contact Little John's Derby Jewelry Inc. located in Louisville, Kentucky.
