Jewelry is subject to a lot of wear and tear, even when it’s just sitting in your jewelry box. This is especially true for gold jewelry, which can easily become dull.
But you don’t have to send your jewelry off to the jeweler for an expensive cleaning every time it loses its luster. In fact, you can shine your gold accessories for a very low cost. Keep reading for the biggest gold jewelry cleaning tips yet: how to clean gold jewelry at home with items you already have in your kitchen.
Start With Mild Dish Soap
Soak the jewelry in a mild dish soap and warm water solution. You’ll want to use warm water (not hot), as it will dissolve dirt and grime more effectively than cold water. The dish soap will help remove any oil or grease from your gold pieces.
If you’re wondering if cleaning jewelry at home requires a special soap, it usually doesn’t. Because Dawn dishwashing liquid is available to most people, it’s a good choice for those who want their jewelry to sparkle.
Soak them for about 10 minutes before getting a soft brush for the next step.
Gently Scrub With a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
A soft-bristled toothbrush works well for gold jewelry cleaning. It won’t leave any debris behind or cause scratches. You can also use a soft sponge, but be mindful that using too much pressure on your gold jewelry could damage the finish.
Rinse Under Running Water
Rinse the pieces thoroughly under running water. Doing this will help to remove any soap residue and wash away the loose dirt.
Dry Each Piece Using a Soft, Lint-Free Cloth
Use a soft, lint-free cloth to dry the jewelry. You should avoid using paper towels and cloths that have been used for cleaning other jewelry.
Also, avoid using hair dryers or other forms of direct heat. Air drying is enough to remove any moisture from the jewelry.
Why You Should Clean New Gold Jewelry
Buying a jewelry gift is a beautiful way to show off your love, and it’s also one of the most popular types of jewelry on the market today. However, if you haven’t cleaned your new gold present, there’s a good chance that there are smudges and oils left on it from other customers. These can cause the jewelry to dull, and may even invite bacteria or other organisms that can lead to infection.
Be sure to clean all your jewelry before you gift it so that it can gleam on the first day.
How to Clean Gold Jewelry at Home When There Are Gemstones
You can safely use some kinds of stones with dish liquid. Diamond, as well as semi-precious gemstones such as amethyst and rose quartz, should clean up nicely using the technique mentioned above.
Pay extra attention to the settings of gemstones and make sure you clean all the nooks and crannies.
Water may permanently damage natural emeralds, pearls, and opals. Clean these stones by brushing with a soft toothbrush instead.
Give Your Gold Jewelry an Eye-Catching Sparkle
We hope you’ve learned some good tips for how to clean gold jewelry at home. You no longer have to worry about spending too much time or money on those expensive visits to the jeweler. This simple DIY process will have your pieces looking as good as new in no time.
If you love to do your own maintenance, check out some of our other posts for more cleaning tips.
