Cart 0
Wondering how to clean gold jewellery at home? Whether it's a family heirloom or a pair of earrings you wear every day, keeping your gold jewellery looking its best is essential. Over time, even the finest gold pieces can lose their luster due to exposure to everyday elements like lotions, perfumes, and even the natural oils from your skin.
But don’t worry – cleaning your gold jewellery is simpler than you might think. With the right techniques and a bit of care, you can easily restore the shine and brilliance of your favourite pieces. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about cleaning gold jewellery.
Types of Gold Jewellery
Before explaining the cleaning process, let’s take a look at the different types of gold jewellery you might have in your collection.
Pure Gold (24k): Pure gold, AKA 24-karat gold, is the most valuable form of gold due to its high purity. However, its softness makes it less common for everyday jewellery as it can easily scratch or bend. Cleaning pure gold is typically straightforward, but it must be handled with care to avoid damage.
Gold Alloys (18k, 14k, 10k): Most gold jewellery is made from gold alloys, where pure gold is mixed with other metals like silver, copper, or nickel. This makes the gold more durable and suitable for daily wear. The karat number indicates the proportion of gold to other metals. 18k is 75% gold, 14k is 58.3% gold, and 10k is 41.7% gold. These alloys can tarnish over time due to the other metals in the mix, which is why regular cleaning is essential.
Gold-Plated and Gold-Filled Jewellery: Gold-plated jewellery is made by applying a thin layer of gold over a base metal, while gold-filled jewellery has a thicker layer of gold bonded to the base metal. Although these pieces are more affordable, they require gentle cleaning to avoid wearing away the gold layer. The majority of pieces we stock at Julia Rouge are Gold Plated.
Why Gold Jewellery Needs Cleaning
Gold is a metal that retains its beauty over time, but like any cherished item, it can start to lose its sparkle without proper care. Your jewellery is exposed to various elements daily, including sweat, dirt, and dust. Over time, these can dull the surface of the gold, making it appear less vibrant. This is especially true for items like rings and bracelets, all of which are in constant contact with your skin.
While pure gold doesn’t tarnish, the other metals in gold alloys can. Regular cleaning can prevent tarnish from setting in and help maintain the original colour and brightness of your pieces.
Understanding these basics will help you better care for your gold jewellery, ensuring that each piece continues to shine brightly.
Cleaning Gold Jewellery at Home
For most gold jewellery, a simple, gentle cleaning routine is all you need to keep your pieces looking their best.
Create a Cleaning Solution: Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a few drops of mild dish soap. Stir the water gently to create a soapy solution. Avoid using hot water, as it can cause delicate stones or settings to crack.
Soak the Jewellery: Place your gold jewellery into the soapy water and let it soak for about 15-20 minutes. This will help loosen any dirt or grime that has built up on the surface.
Gently Scrub with a Soft Brush: After soaking, use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a jewellery-specific brush to gently scrub the jewellery. Pay special attention to crevices and areas where dirt can accumulate, such as around stones or intricate designs. Make sure to be gentle to avoid scratching the gold.
Rinse and Pat Dry: Once you’ve scrubbed the jewellery, rinse it thoroughly under warm running water. Make sure to rinse away all soap residue. After rinsing, pat the jewellery dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid using paper towels, as they can scratch the surface of the gold.
Cleaning Gold-Plated Jewellery
Gold-plated jewellery requires extra care to avoid damaging the thin layer of gold.
For gold-plated items, it’s best to avoid soaking them. Instead, dip a soft cloth into a soapy water solution and gently wipe the jewellery clean. Be careful not to scrub too hard, as this can wear away the plating.
If your gold-plated jewellery needs more cleaning, you can use a soft cloth with a mild jewellery cleaner specifically designed for plated items. Follow the product instructions and avoid using abrasive materials.
Using a Commercial Gold Jewellery Cleaner
If you prefer, you can use a commercial gold jewellery cleaner available in most stores. Look for a cleaner specifically designed for gold and avoid products that contain harsh chemicals or abrasives. Always follow the instructions provided with the cleaner. Typically, you’ll dip the jewellery in the cleaner for a set amount of time, then rinse and dry it as usual.
More Tips for Maintaining Gold Jewellery
Keeping your gold jewellery clean is just one part of maintaining its beauty. Here are some additional tips to help you care for your jewellery collection.
Perform a light cleaning of your gold jewellery regularly, especially for pieces you wear daily. A quick wipe with a soft cloth after wearing can remove surface oils and prevent dirt buildup, keeping your jewellery shiny between deeper cleans.
How you store your gold jewellery is just as important as how you clean it. Store your gold jewellery in soft pouches or wrap each piece in a soft cloth to protect it from scratches and reduce exposure to air. Both of which can cause them to tarnish. Store each piece of jewellery separately to prevent them from scratching each other – gold is a soft metal and can easily get scratched if it rubs against other items.
To avoid unnecessary wear and tear, it’s best to remove your gold jewellery during certain activities. Chlorine in swimming pools can damage gold, causing it to weaken and potentially leading to cracks or discolouration. Sweat and physical activity can cause dirt to accumulate quickly, making your jewellery dirty faster.
With regular cleaning your favourite pieces can continue to sparkle and shine for years to come. By following our tips, you can ensure that each piece remains as radiant as the day you bought it.