How to clean gold at home? (Step-by-step guide with pictures)

How to clean gold and gold jewellery at home

Do you have a gold wedding ring, earrings or bracelet at home that has lost its lustre through wear and tear? Dirt and grease may be stuck in the links, the gold has become discoloured and you are wondering how to bring back their original shine? As with silver cleaning, gold cleaning can be easily done (though not in the same way). With a few handy tricks, you can do it yourself.

However, if you are not sure how to do it or if you want an expert to clean your gold, you can always contact Tavex for questions and help with your precious metals!

For many people, gold is often the best choice when choosing the right piece of jewellery. Gold is very durable and its surface is not often damaged. In addition to following our advice on how to best care for gold jewellery, you should also regularly clean your gold jewellery according to the following advice.

Polishing

The easiest way to refresh the shine of a pure gold ring, necklace or earrings is to polish the metal with a cotton cloth. Jewellery stores also sell a special cloth with a solution that guarantees shine and protection.

Soap

In many cases, it is enough to use a classic soap or lubricant to remove the most common impurities such as grease or dust. Wash your gold jewellery thoroughly with soap, then rinse it with warm water.

Citric acid

Have you found green stains on your gold jewellery? You can easily remove these stains with citric acid. Soak the jewellery for 5-10 minutes, rinse with clean water and clean with a cloth. Often lemon juice is enough, drip it on the jewellery and wash it off with lukewarm water after a few minutes.

Baking soda

Another tip is to clean the gold with baking soda. However, be careful here not to scratch your jewellery. Rub the baking soda with a damp cotton cloth or a soft toothbrush and clean the jewel slowly and very gently. Feel free to follow the following steps:

1. Prepare a cleaning solution: mix baking soda and water to create viscous solution. You can use a clean bowl or small container to mix the ingredients.
2. Rub in the solution: Using a soft toothbrush or cloth, apply the solution to the surface of the gold. Make sure to cover the entire surface or the areas that need cleaning.
3. Gentle rubbing: Use the toothbrush or cloth to gently rub the surface of the gold with the baking soda-based solution. Be sure to be careful and avoid using too much force to avoid scratching the gold.
4. Rinse off: After rubbing the surface thoroughly, rinse the gold in warm water to remove the baking soda paste and any loose dirt. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to avoid leaving the baking soda on the gold surface.
5. Wipe and polish: Use a clean, soft cloth to wipe the gold and give it a fine polish. Be careful not to damage the gold surface.

It is important to note that this method of cleaning gold with baking soda may be suitable for some types of gold jewellery or gold objects, but it may not be suitable for all varieties of gold. Some gold products may be sensitive to certain chemicals or cleaning methods. If you have valuable or historically important gold items, it may be best to consult a goldsmith or jeweller for advice on appropriate cleaning methods for your specific jewellery.

Boil in water with detergent

Cleaning gold with boiling water and detergent can be an effective and safe method. Follow these steps to clean your gold:

1. Prepare the cleaning solution: Fill a bowl with boiling water. Add a few drops of mild detergent and stir to mix.
2. Put the gold in the solution: Place the gold jewellery you want to clean in the solution. Make sure the gold is completely covered.
3. Leave the gold in the cleaning solution for about 15-20 minutes. During this time, the detergent will help dissolve dirt and grease.
4. Brush gently: Use a soft toothbrush or cloth to gently brush the surface of the gold and remove any dirt. Be careful not to use too much force and avoid scratching the gold.
5. Rinse: Rinse the gold thoroughly under warm running water to remove any remaining detergent and any loose dirt. Make sure that all detergent has been rinsed off.
6. Wipe and polish: Use a clean, soft cloth to wipe the gold and gently polish it. Make sure it is completely dry before storing or wearing the jewellery again.

It is important to note that this cleaning method is suitable for many types of gold, but it is always good to be aware of any sensitivities of specific gold items. If you are unsure of the cleaning method or have valuable or antique gold items, it is recommended to consult a professional goldsmith or jeweller for advice and recommendations on suitable cleaning methods for your specific items.

The reason why we can’t say with 100% certainty that this is a method suitable for your gold jewellery is because all gold jewellery is made up of different metals that have been fused together (if gold jewellery was made of 100% gold, it would simply be too soft and destroyed easily.) Different metals may react differently to these methods.

There are also professional gold solvents that remove dirt stuck to the jewellery. Liquid cleaners are a very reliable and effective alternative.

How to clean gold with professional methods

Besides the home remedies mentioned above, which are certainly worth a try, there are of course other ways to clean gold. If home remedies are not right for you, you can use guaranteed safety: special cleaning agents that have been developed directly for cleaning gold. You can buy these either in jewellery shops or in pharmacies.

If you want to play it safe, you should turn to a specialist. In the jewellery shop, they will be able to clean your gold jewellery perfectly and you won’t have to worry about damaging it. A specialist will also help you remove dirt caused by age, where home remedies may not work. Usually, the gold is cleaned by ultrasound by the experts (which you can also do at home!).

Click here to read how experts clean gold jewellery with ultrasound.

How to clean gold jewellery with precious stones

When cleaning jewellery adorned with precious stones, you have to be much more careful. The stones can easily loosen and fall out of the jewellery. Therefore, only clean this gold jewellery with gentle movements. It is also important to know what type of gemstone the jewellery contains. Some of them can be damaged by a chemical substance.

In the case of diamonds, sapphires or rubies, there is no need to worry, as they are very durable stones and cleaning agents do not leave any marks. However, you should avoid home remedies for jewellery with pearls and emeralds, as they are much more susceptible to damage.

If your gold jewellery is adorned with precious stones, we strongly recommend that you leave the cleaning to specialists. Take your earrings or jewellery chain to such a specialist to ensure that the jewel is not damaged by the cleaning.

How to clean white gold

The same procedure is recommended for cleaning white gold jewellery as for yellow gold. Click here to read more about white gold and how it is usually cleaned.

Tips on how to best care for gold

• Store it properly: To keep your gold jewellery looking like new, it is best to store it in a dark place, away from sunlight. A jewellery box or a cloth bag is often used to store gold items.
• Take off your jewellery before going to the toilet: Do you never take off your gold jewellery, even in the shower? Then you know for sure that this will not contribute to the brilliance and beauty of your jewellery. It is actually easy to scratch the surface, not only with a sponge but also with a shower gel containing exfoliating particles.
• Put the jewel down before you go to bed: You should take off your precious accessory, even before going to bed. When you come out of the shower, for example with a wet ring, some areas may not dry sufficiently, or dirt including fibres from the bedding may be trapped in the moisture.
• It is important to clean gold jewellery regularly and to do it properly. If you are not sure how to care for your jewellery, do not hesitate to contact a professional.