Easy Ways to Clean Gold Jewellery at Home Without Damaging It

Easy Ways to Clean Gold Jewellery at Home Without Damaging It

Imagine this—you’re prepping for an important meeting. You’re done with the presentation and are feeling confident about it. You want to ensure that you leave a lasting impact, so you prep your outfit and decide to elevate the look with your favorite piece of gold jewellery, maybe a lucky charm, because everyone needs a little bit of luck for some occasions.  

Excited, you retrieve the piece from your closet, but to your dismay, it has lost its sheen. Your favorite jewellery needs a professional cleaning, and you hardly have the time to take it to the jeweller. You’re now wondering if you should pick something else or change the outfit.  

What if you could clean your gold jewellery at home? 

Yes. It is possible to maintain the original shine of your gold jewellery with regular cleaning at home. This tip is especially useful for cleaning everyday jewellery. All you need is a simple DIY solution and some time on your hands. Continue reading to know more. 

How to Clean Gold Jewellery At Home 

Try these home remedies for cleaning gold. They require ingredients that are easily available at home and can be mixed to create safe and effective cleaning solutions for your gold jewellery.  

Please note: While these are safe ways to clean gold, diamonds, gemstones, and pearls set in gold may be susceptible to these solutions. They are best cleaned professionally. 

1. Dishwash and Lukewarm Water  

This is the mildest solution that can be modified to suit your requirements. Since it has no abrasive materials, it is safe to use for all kinds of gold jewellery.   

How to Make the Solution: 

Mix 1-2 teaspoons of a mild dishwashing liquid in about 1 liter of lukewarm water and mix till the dishwashing liquid dissolves completely. You may increase the quantity in this proportion if you’re cleaning large-sized jewellery or need more solution to clean multiple pieces together. Ensure the solution you prepare is effective enough to clean the dirt and oils without damaging the jewellery. Start with the mildest solution possible and increase its strength to suit your jewellery.  

How to Use the Solution:  

  1. Complete submerge the jewellery in the solution and soak it for 10-15 minutes. 

  1. Lather the solution on the jewellery with your fingers to loosen up the dirt. 

  1. Using a small soft-bristled brush, such as a baby toothbrush, gently clean between the crevices of the jewellery using short sweeping movements along the grain of the design. This helps prevent scratching.  

  1. If you need to, soak the jewellery for some more time (if required, in a stronger solution), and clean it again. 

  1. Rinse the jewellery once done. 

  1. Wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth and let it air dry. 

                        

2. Baking Soda and Water 

Baking soda mixed with water makes a paste that helps clean jewellery and return its shine; however, it may still scratch your jewellery, especially if it is made of softer or high-purity gold. Be sure you know the purity of your jewellery before opting for this method. You may want to test it on the inside of the jewellery first and take a call depending on the results.   

How to Make the Solution: 

Mix some baking soda in water to prepare a paste that’s the consistency of a toothpaste. The quantity may vary depending on the size and number of pieces you wish to clean.   

How to Use the Solution: 

 

  1. Scoop some paste on a soft brush and coat the entire jewellery with it.  

  1. Leave it 10-15 minutes. 

  1. Gently scrub the paste on the jewellery with your fingers. This helps loosen up the dirt. 

  1. Then, use the soft brush to gently clean all the hard-to-reach crevices. Use short and gentle sweeping motions, preferably along the grain or design of the jewellery, to clean effectively while preventing damage.  

  1. If you need to, soak the jewellery for some more time, and scrub it again. 

  1. Rinse the jewellery once done. 

  1. Wipe it with a soft lint-free cloth and let it air dry before wearing or storing it. 

3. Hot Water

This is the easiest way to clean gold jewellery naturally. The hot water releases the oils and grime stuck in the crevices of the jewellery, allowing hassle-free cleaning.  

How to Make the Solution: 

This tip only needs some boiling water. 

How to Use the Solution: 

  1. Heat some water in a pot.  

  1. Switch off the flame and submerge your jewellery completely in the water. If you’re cleaning several pieces, spread them with a spoon or a pair of tongs. This helps the hot water loosen up the grime in the crevices.    

  1. Cover the pot and leave the jewellery for 10-15 minutes.  

  1. With the help of tongs, remove the jewellery and wipe it with a soft cloth.  

  1. If needed, use a soft brush to gently clean all the hard-to-reach corners. As advised above, use short and gentle sweeping motions, preferably along the design, to clean effectively while preventing damage.  

  1. Rinse the jewellery with water. 

  1. Wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth, and leave it to air dry.  

  1. If the hot water doesn’t get the grime out effectively, you may soak the jewellery in the soapy solution recommended above and follow steps 5 to 7.   

With some care and regular maintenance of your jewellery, you can definitely retain its shine a little longer. The following dos and don’ts can serve as a quick guide for you to take care of your jewellery at home.  

Dos and Don’ts for Maintaining Gold Jewellery at Home 

Dos 

  1. Use a mild, non-abrasive solution to soak the jewellery. 

  1. Use a soft brush, preferably a baby brush, to gently remove the dirt from the crevices. Use short, gentle strokes and clean along the design or the grain of the gold to prevent damage.  

  1. Use a soft, lint-free or microfiber cloth to wipe the jewellery dry.  

  1. Let the jewellery dry completely before wearing or storing it. 

  1. An occasional wipe with a soft micro-fibre cloth can reduce dirt buildup on the jewellery.  

  1. Get the jewellery professionally deep cleaned, polished, and if needed, repaired, at least once a year. 

  1. When not in use, store your jewellery in fabric-lined boxes, away from moisture and sunlight.  

Don’ts 

  1. Do not use harsh chemicals to clean gold jewellery. 

  1. Do not use hard-bristled brushes and rough fabrics to clean and wipe the jewellery. 

  1. Do not use boiling hot water to clean the jewellery. It could damage the jewellery and may cause injuries.  

  1. Do not wear the jewellery before applying lotion, cosmetics, and perfume. As much as possible, prevent its contact with these products. 

  1. Do not wear jewellery during activities that are likely to damage it, such as bathing, exercising, swimming, playing a sport, etc.   

Jewellery care tips like these can help you maintain your gold jewellery longer, or at least till the next professional cleanup session. After all, your jewellery deserves just as much care are you. 

Don’t miss the FAQs we’ve provided below. They might address the questions you have on your mind. 

FAQs 

Q1. What is the best way to clean gold jewellery at home? 

The best way to clean gold jewellery at home is by soaking it in a solution made of lukewarm water and a mild dishwashing liquid, and cleaning it with a soft brush. The suds in the solution and the warmth of the water help release dirt and grime, which can be easily removed with a soft brush or a soft cloth.  

Q2. Can I use toothpaste to clean gold jewellery? 

Toothpaste contains abrasives and chemicals that may damage your gold jewellery. It is, therefore, best to avoid it for gold jewellery.  

Q3. How often should I clean my gold jewellery? 

Daily wear jewellery can be cleaned weekly or fortnightly, depending on the environment it is subjected to. Jewellery that is worn occasionally can be cleaned at home 2-3 times a year. Having said that, you must get your jewellery professionally cleaned at least once every year.  

Q4. What should I avoid when cleaning gold at home? 

You must avoid using chemicals and abrasives when cleaning gold at home, as they may scratch and permanently damage it. Also avoid wearing or storing cleaned jewellery if it is damp or wet. Allow it to dry completely. Doing so ensures that it does not collect oils from the skin or dirt and lint from the surfaces it is stored in.     

Q5. How to restore shine to old gold jewellery? 

Remedies for cleaning jewellery at home may not restore shine to gold jewellery. They may help remove the dirt and grime that dulls its appearance, but will need a professional cleanup and polish to attain the original lustre. Speak to your jeweller or visit a store near you for more guidance on this. 

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