How to Clean Gold Jewellery in 5 Simple Steps?
Most gold jewellery owners know they have to clean them to give them new, shinier look. Since you do not want your precious gemstones to look so dirty, it is only reasonable that you use the best methods to clean your gold jewellery at home.
You may already know that cleaning jewellery has its downsides, especially at home, and if you do not know which method to use. For starters, it is common knowledge among owners of precious stones that using the method with the least ingredients is the best for cleaning your gold jewellery. While this assertion may hold water, how you clean your jewellery also depends on its quality.
It gets confusing to pick out the best way to clean gold jewellery. Hence, we will review how you can clean your jewellery prior to visiting a jewellery store.
When to Clean Gold Jewellery
We all have that item in our jewellery box that is our favourite. Sometimes, we tend to wear these pieces of jewellery more than others. You should regularly clean any jewellery you wear regularly. It is good practice for jewellery owners to clean their jewellery on a weekly basis (gentle cleaning). Furthermore, you can perform a deep cleaning procedure on your gold jewellery if it gets exposed to serious debris, dirt, or chemicals.
It would help if you always inspected special occasion jewellery after each wear for smudges, dirt, or damage. Also, you can only clean your special occasion jewellery if it appears dirty. Note that gold can withstand frequent, gentle cleaning. The cleaning keeps it free from oil, dust, chemical buildup, and fingerprints.
When you frequently clean your gold ring or other jewellery using the right materials, like polishing cloth, it helps extend the longevity of the jewellery. Additionally, it keeps the jewellery looking new and shiny, and prevents it from looking old and rusty.
Tips for Cleaning Gold Jewellery
Cleaning gold jewellery requires some level of decorum. Pure gold jewellery lasts longer when properly cleaned using the right techniques. We will look at ways to clean gold jewellery to keep it in tip-top shape.
Do Not Use Chemicals
It is not good practice to use chemicals more than a drop of dish soap while cleaning your jewellery. You must not use more than one drop of dish soap, even if your gold is alloyed. Even alloyed gold is easily scratched because it is soft. Additionally, avoid using regular household cleaners to clean gold jewellery.
Avoid Chlorine and Soap
Do not use any soap with unknown ingredients. You can use regular blue Dawn dish soap to clean your jewellery. However, you must ensure to remove your jewellery before hitting the shower, to avoid film accumulation from body oils and washes.
Chlorine is another thing you should avoid. Especially at high temperatures, Chlorine can permanently discolour your gold jewellery. Always remember to take off your gold jewellery before taking a shower. Additionally, ensure to remove your jewellery when cleaning with Chlorine bleach.
Although pure gold may not tarnish when you use Chlorine, other gold-plated jewellery comes from alloys. The percentage of the metals, combined with gold, could cause the jewellery to tarnish over time.
How to Clean Gold Jewellery
It would help if you used a jewellery cleaning solution, particularly for cleaning gold. This safe and effective solution will keep your gold in good shape. You must verify that the solution is meant for cleaning gold jewellery before using it.
You can follow these instructions and apply them for gold jewellery containing semi-precious gemstones. However, make sure not to clean your gold near or in an open sink. Also, place a dish or mat over nearby drains (if any) before you start your cleaning process.
First, pour warm water into a shallow dish and add some dish soap. Next, use a soft toothbrush to swish gently the soap around to form small bubbles.
Place your gold jewellery inside the bowl and soak it for about 15 minutes. Next, brush the gold pieces by lifting them out of the bowl piece by piece. Make sure to brush any links or tight chains, and clasps gently with the soft toothbrush. Briefly rinse your clean jewellery under cool running water. Finally, dry your jewellery on a flat surface. Gently buff your jewellery after drying using a lint-free soft cloth.
Cleaning Gold Jewellery With Gemstones
Although some gemstones support the cleaning method we explained above, some may not. Some stones like ruby, diamonds, sapphire, and other metals and semi-precious stones like aquamarine, amethyst, or rose quartz allow you to use the above mentioned method. However, you must pay special attention to prongs, and areas under or behind the gemstones to keep them extra clean.
Avoid soaking natural pearls, emeralds, bone, coral, or wood in cleaning solutions. Instead, use a few drops of water on a soft cloth to clean them.
Can Jewellery Cleaner Damage Gold?
More often than not, the jewellery cleaning product does not harm the gold. However, the metals used with the gold could be damaged. The chemicals used in cleaning could cause the metals to crack or break. Additionally, it would help if you did not use abrasives like a soft brush or soft-bristled brush because they could damage the metals used. Instead, you can use a soft, lint-free cloth to remove dirt gently.
Also, avoid Chlorine and detergents that can erode your jewellery or jewellery box. If you have jewellery with coloured gemstones, contact your jeweller for quick tips on how to keep them clean.
What is the Best Homemade Gold Cleaner?
The best homemade gold cleaning solution consists of a few drops of Dawn dish detergent in warm water. Ensure you do not use hot water, which could initiate chemical reactions.
How to Clean Tarnished Gold Jewellery
You can clean tarnished gold jewellery using the procedure we have outlined above for cleaning your jewellery. Always use a polishing or soft cloth to avoid scratching your jewellery.
Can I Use Gold Jewellery Cleaner On Silver Jewellery?
It would help if you did not use a cleaning agent made for gold jewellery to clean your silver jewellery. You can use your precious silver polish to clean your silver jewellery.