Whether you’re cleaning gold jewelry because it’s starting to look dull or you just want to freshen it up, several DIY solutions can work wonders.
Before you start, avoid using soap or chlorine bleach – these can permanently damage or discolor your gold jewelry.
Dish soap
Over time, dirt and grime can build up on your gold jewelry, causing it to lose its shine. Luckily, there are many simple ways to clean gold at home using products you probably have lying around your house.
One great option for restoring the shine of your gold jewelry is dish soap. Mix a few drops of dish soap into warm water, then dip your jewelry in and rub it gently.
The soap will help loosen trapped dirt and debris, making removing it easier. It will also help prevent the buildup of soap scum and mineral deposits that can lead to a dull or tarnished finish.
For heavier tarnish, mix three parts of baking soda with water to create a paste and rub it into your jewelry. Then rinse it and buff it dry.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a versatile natural cleaner used for various household applications. It’s also a great way to clean gold jewelry and shined up.
Vinegar, made from the French word “vin aigre,” or sour wine, has long been considered one of the most valuable and versatile kitchen cleaners. The acidity of vinegar can remove stains and dirt from various surfaces, including jewelry.
To clean your jewelry with vinegar, pour about a cup of the stuff into a bowl or jar and let it soak for a few minutes. Then, shake the pot gently to ensure the solution reaches every spot on your jewelry.
This method is perfect for gold rings and earrings with pearls or gemstones, as it’s not acidic enough to damage these embellishments. However, it’s not ideal for cleaning solid gold jewelry.
Baking soda
Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, is common in most baked goods. It helps a cake or bread rise and gives them a light, porous texture.
Baking powder is another common ingredient when recipes don’t call for an acidic ingredient. It contains the same chemical leavening agent as baking soda but doesn’t need to be mixed with a wet component.
Mix a paste with baking soda to scrub tarnished jewellery or soak semi-dirty pieces in a solution. This method is gentle and works well on most metals.
However, avoid this method if your gold jewelry is embellished with pearls. This is because baking soda could erode the surface of the pearls. Alternatively, you can make a baking soda solution with salt for silver-based jewelry. This is also a great option because it’s a mild cleaner that doesn’t harm gemstones or precious stones.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste can be a good option when cleaning your gold jewelry at home. This is because toothpaste contains several substances that can help clean your jewelry, including micro-beads, hydrated silica, and fluoride.
These substances are responsible for removing dirt from the surface of your jewelry. However, it is essential to remember that toothpaste can damage certain types of jewelry, especially pearls, and opals.
Toothpaste can cause scratches on the surface of gemstones, resulting in discoloration and loss of luster. This is because toothpaste is abrasive and has a hardness of around 3/4 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness.
