When you buy gold jewelry and wear it for a long time, gold jewelry can lose its shine over time due to dirt, oils, and exposure to chemicals. Do you know what cleans jewelry the best? Can you fix tarnished gold? How do you clean gold jewelry like gold chain and necklace, gold ring and gold earrings? This article will teach you how to clean gold jewelry at home easily and common cleaning misunderstandings.

How to Clean Gold Jewelry - Why regular cleaning is important?

First and foremost, the oil, sweat, dust and cosmetic residue on the skin will form a film on the surface, causing it to lose its original luster. Regular cleaning can remove these stains from your gold jewelry and keep it bright.

Secondly, some chemicals such as cosmetics and detergents can actually damage gold, causing the surface to discolor or lose its luster. Regular cleaning can extend the life of jewelry.

Third, some gold jewelry such as gold earrings and gold rings that are close to the skin are easy to harbor dirt and breed bacteria. Regular cleaning can keep the jewelry clean and hygienic, avoiding irritation and infection to the skin.

Fourth, the oxidation and blackening of the gold surface may affect its beauty and market value. Regular cleaning and maintenance can ensure that it remains in good condition for a long time and maintain its investment value.

How to Clean Gold Jewelry - What to use to clean gold jewelry?

To clean gold jewelry, you can prepare specific items according to the type of gold jewelry to be cleaned. The items you may need are basically the following:

  • Mild detergent or non-irritating soap or best jewelry cleaner for gold
  • Soft-bristled toothbrush
  • Ammonia (appropriate amount, use with caution)
  • Ultrasonic jewelry cleaning machine
  • Small cotton swabs
  • Small screen or filter
  • Jewelry cleaning cloth or microfiber cloth
  • Jewelry cleaning solution for gold
How to Clean Gold Jewelry

How to Clean Gold Jewelry - gold plated jewelry

It should be noted that gold-plated jewelry only has a thin layer of gold on the surface, so cleaning should be very careful and gentle to avoid losing its luster due to wear and tear.

To restore gold plated jewelry, you can soak the gold-plated jewelry in a professional gold jewelry detergent or a mild soap solution for 5-10 minutes to dissolve the surface dirt and grease, and then gently wipe the surface of the jewelry with a microfiber cloth. Rinse the remaining detergent with clean water, and finally use a soft dry cloth to gently press and absorb the moisture before storing.

Note: Do not use a toothbrush to avoid scratching the gold-plated layer.

Avoid soaking for a long time or rubbing hard to avoid reducing the life of the plating.

Avoid using an ultrasonic cleaner or silverware cleaner, which may cause the plating to fall off.

How to clean tarnished gold plated jewelry?

If it is a slightly oxidized gold-plated jewelry, you can use the above method.

For slightly discolored gold-plated jewelry, you can evenly apply a paste of baking soda and water to the surface of the jewelry and gently rub it with a soft cloth, and finally rinse and dry it thoroughly to remove the dullness on the surface. When using this method, be careful not to let the baking soda stay for a long time to avoid affecting the plating.

For gold-plated jewelry with stubborn black spots, dip a cotton swab in a small amount of white vinegar or lemon juice and gently wipe the discolored area (avoid soaking for a long time to prevent acidic substances from corroding the plating). After wiping, rinse with clean water and dry the jewelry.

Note: Avoid soaking in water for a long time to prevent damage to the plating.

After wearing, wipe with a clean soft cloth to remove sweat and stains to prevent discoloration.

How to restore gold plated jewelry at home?

If the gold plating of your gold-plated jewelry is severely peeling or worn, you can use these two simple methods to repair your gold-plated jewelry at home.

  1. Use Gold Plating Pen

The gold plating repair pen can be used to repair the faded area in a small area and is suitable for minor local discoloration. Before using the gold plating pen, you should clean the surface of the jewelry first, then apply the repair pen to the faded area and gently wipe it evenly.

  1. DIY gold plating liquid repair

You can also buy commercially available gold plating liquid and re-gold it at home. This method is also simple to operate: soak the jewelry in the gold plating solution and apply it evenly with a cotton swab.

How to Clean Gold Jewelry - Cleaning Different Types of Gold Jewelry

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold jewelry is made of gold, copper, and silver alloys. This means that when cleaning gold and silver, it is important to avoid using detergents that react with these three metals. One effective method is to mix baking soda with a small amount of water to form a paste, gently scrub with a soft cloth or toothbrush, and then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Another option is to soak the jewelry in a small amount of white vinegar or diluted ammonia for a few minutes. However, this method is not recommended for frequent use, as it may damage the jewelry.

White Gold

Cleaning gold jewelry like white gold should avoid damaging the rhodium plating which maintains the jewelry’s brightness and durability. To clean white gold jewelry, soak it in warm water with a mild detergent for 15-20 minutes to soften stains and grease. Then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub the details, rinse thoroughly with clean water and gently dry with a microfiber cloth.

Rose Gold

Rose gold is a metal made of gold, copper and a small amount of silver or zinc alloy. Because it contains a higher proportion of copper, which is oxidizing, gentle methods are required when cleaning rose gold jewelry. The first cleaning method mentioned above for yellow gold also applies to rose gold jewelry.

Gold with Gemstones

When cleaning gold jewelry with gemstones, be careful to avoid using strong acids, strong alkalis, ultrasonic cleaners, and other methods that may affect the gemstones or the inlaid structure. For more durable gemstones such as diamonds, sapphires, rubies, citrine, amethysts, and garnets, you can use the cleaning method of white gold.

For opals, moonstones, emeralds, pearls, and other gemstones that are easy to absorb water or are more fragile, you can gently wipe the surface of the gemstone with a slightly damp soft cloth to remove stains and grease. If there are more stubborn stains, you can apply a small amount of mild neutral detergent on the soft cloth and gently wipe again.

Note: Avoid using abrasive or acidic substances such as toothpaste, vinegar, and baking soda: they may scratch the surface of the gemstone or corrode the inlaid metal.

Avoid using alcohol or chemical solvents: some gemstones (such as emeralds and opals) are oiled or treated, and chemical solvents may destroy their stability.

Avoid ultrasonic cleaners: Although suitable for hard gemstones such as diamonds, sapphires, and rubies, they may damage easily cracked or water-absorbing gemstones such as emeralds, opals, and pearls, or even loosen the setting.

How to Clean Gold Jewelry Marquise Cut Lab Grown Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring Claw Prong Bridal Ring

Amanda vintage marquise cut brilliant diamonds three stone ring for women

How to clean gold jewelry like 10 karat, 14 karat and 18 karat gold?

To clean 10K, 14K, and 18K gold jewelry, use warm water with mild dish soap. Soak for 10–15 minutes, gently scrub with a soft brush, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals to prevent damage to the gold’s alloy composition.

How to clean tarnished gold?

To clean tarnished gold jewelry, soak it in warm water with mild dish soap for 15 minutes. Gently scrub with a soft brush, rinse, and dry with a cloth. For stubborn tarnish, use a baking soda paste or white vinegar, but avoid harsh chemicals to prevent damage.

How to polish gold jewelry at home?

Polishing gold jewellery at home is not difficult. Using a soft cloth with a small amount of jewelry polish or a baking soda paste. Gently rub the surface in circular motions, then rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly. Avoid abrasive materials to prevent scratching the gold.

How to keep gold from tarnishing?

  1. Store Properly – Keep gold jewelry in an airtight container or a jewelry box with anti-tarnish strips.
  2. Avoid Chemicals – Remove jewelry before using perfumes, lotions, or cleaning agents.
  3. Keep Dry – Moisture accelerates tarnishing, so store in a dry place and wipe after wear.
  4. Clean Regularly – Gently clean with mild soap and water to remove dirt and oils.
  5. Wear Often – Regular wear helps prevent tarnish buildup by keeping the gold’s surface polished.

How often should you clean your jewelry?

You should clean your jewelry regularly to maintain its shine. For everyday pieces, clean them once every two weeks with mild soap and water. Deep cleaning can be done monthly, while professional cleaning is recommended every six months to remove buildup and restore brilliance.

How to Clean Gold Jewelry - What Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Gold Jewelry

  1. Using Harsh Chemicals – Avoid bleach, ammonia, and strong cleaners, as they can damage gold.
  2. Scrubbing Too Hard – Use a soft brush; excessive force can scratch the jewelry.
  3. Skipping Rinsing – Leftover soap or cleaner can cause buildup and dull the shine.
  4. Not Drying Properly – Always pat dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spots.
  5. Frequent Cleaning – Over-cleaning can wear down delicate gold jewelry over time.

Conclusion

After reading this article, you can learn how to clean gold jewelry properly. Cleaning gold jewelry can be done in different ways according to the specific characteristics of different types of gold jewelry. Regular cleaning can make your gold jewelry look as shiny as new.

FAQs About How to Clean Gold Jewelry

The best way to clean gold jewelry like a gold chain at home is to soak it in warm water with mild dish soap for 15 minutes. Gently scrub with a soft brush, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals to protect the jewellery’s shine.

Soak in warm soapy water for 15 minutes, gently scrub with a soft brush, rinse well, and dry with a soft cloth to restore shine.

Gold shines naturally but can get dirty over time. To fix tarnished gold, use a mild soap solution or a baking soda paste, then rinse and dry thoroughly.

18K gold is ideal for jewelry due to its balance of durability and purity, while 24K is the purest but softer.

Use warm soapy water and a soft brush to clean around the diamond, rinse well, and dry gently. Avoid harsh chemicals to protect both gold and stones.