How to clean gold at home

Every home has gold jewelry in the form of a chain, ring, earrings, pendant, and so on. Perhaps some of them are passed down from generation to generation. Unfortunately, over time this metal can become dull in color. The reason for this is various impurities included in the product, which over time undergo an oxidation reaction. In addition, additional contamination, dirt, sweat, and grease also negatively affect the product.

In order to renew its appearance and give the product its original shine, it must be properly cleaned. This can be done at home. We will talk about how to properly clean gold at home, to do it most effectively and quickly in our publication.

You can effectively clean gold by choosing the right product. Before starting work, pay attention to the following nuances:

Some products have hard-to-reach places for cleaning; to achieve a better effect, additional use of a brush, such as a toothbrush, will be required. Which, with the help of bristles, can penetrate into all places and clean the metal;
Particular attention is paid to working with products containing stones;
During operation, the container must be selected to the required volume, i.e. the product immersed in it must be completely covered with the solution.

So, what product can you use to quickly clean gold? Let's consider the options.

How to clean with ammonia and regular washing powder

This simple recipe will help restore your product to its original appearance, without the additional use of special products.

Components included:

1 tsp ammonia alcohol;
250 ml. water;
1 tbsp. washing powder.

Bring the water to a boil, add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Place the products in the resulting composition for about three hours, depending on the contamination. Then be sure to rinse with clean water and wipe the product dry with a soft cloth.

Instead of washing powder, you can use dishwashing detergent, which also does the job just as effectively.

Recommendations for caring for gold jewelry

The more often the noble metal is cleaned, the faster it will lose its attractiveness. To avoid this, you need to consider the following recommendations for caring for gold jewelry:

After visiting the bath or washing dishes, you need to wipe the items dry with a towel or napkins.
Before cleaning or visiting the bathhouse, jewelry should be removed.
You need to store jewelry in a special case.

It is better to take antique jewelry to a workshop for cleaning.

There are many ways to clean gold jewelry from dirt. One part of them is suitable for destroying heavy stains, and the other is only suitable for removing light deposits. Before carrying out work, it is necessary to study the specifics of using chemicals so as not to damage metal surfaces.

How to clean with liquid soap, hydrogen peroxide and ammonia solution

Components you will need:

1 tsp liquid soap;
40 ml. hydrogen peroxide;
250 ml. water;
1 tsp ammonia or ammonia solution.

All components must be combined, pour in the gold items and leave for about 20-25 minutes. After the procedure, gold products need to be dried with a napkin.

Why metal gets dirty, features

White gold is an interesting metal that differs in characteristics from its legal representative, red gold. Many people are confused by the color of the product. People are accustomed to seeing a yellow and shiny gold product in front of them. It is called white because it combines with other metals that have a white coating. White gold actually contains little of the base metal itself. It is a dilution compared to the others.

Typically, the alloy combines gold, palladium, nickel, and platinum, which give the resulting product a white tint. Silver is used less frequently for alloying, as it gives the finished product an unsightly milky, creamy tint. White gold is used in products with precious stones. The reflection of stones and diamonds goes well with the shiny white surface.

Rhodium is also used to create a white tint. It is used to cover a gold item on top using the pollination method. Such jewelry is many times more expensive, since the base is real yellow gold. However, such a product will be short-lived and costly to restore. It will have to be plated with rhodium every few years. The white pollination layer is easily erased. Jewelry rings, bracelets and earrings made of full-fledged white gold do not differ in appearance from ordinary silver, and therefore are less valuable.

A product made from a mixture of yellow gold and silver, zinc will have more value, but it will not look as aesthetically pleasing and bright as an alloy of nickel, palladium, and platinum. Jewelers call white gold noble. However, the superiority of a product should be determined not by its appearance, but by the quality of the sample.

White gold turns yellow due to friction

Sometimes the product turns yellow, especially when it is plated with rhodium. This happens for a number of reasons:

even with careful care, white gold can darken if worn on a regular basis (this occurs due to the reaction of rhodium and human sweat, the metal oxidizes);
When aggressively cleaning the jewelry, the surface layer is erased;
if the jewelry is constantly exposed to friction, shock, or mechanical damage.

A common cause of metal contamination is its reaction with the environment. To avoid this, you should properly care for your jewelry.

Clean with foil and baking soda

You can clean gold using foil. For these simple manipulations you will need the following components:

2 tbsp. l. soda;
250 ml. hot water;
Foil.

Combine the first two components. Place foil and gold on the bottom of the dish and fill with the prepared product, leave for 9-10 hours. Then rinse carefully and dry with a napkin.

What to remember

Always take care of your jewelry, even if it is in a box.
White, table and apple cider vinegar are suitable for these purposes, but in no case 70% essence.
The more gold there is in the alloy, the longer it will remain in good condition.
Jewelry with stones, white gold, or a matte finish requires specific cleaning techniques.
Depending on factors, the process will take from 5 minutes to 12 hours.

We invite you to share the article with your friends and leave a comment about your experience with gold!

Clean with soda

The methods described above, for the most part, take a lot of time. If you don’t have one, we offer you another equally effective option for cleaning gold, and the procedure itself will take you no more than 30-35 minutes. To work you will need the following components:

0.5 tsp. dishwashing detergents;
1.5 tbsp. l. soda;
250ml. hot water.

Mix all the components in one bowl, put a soft cloth on the bottom, and on it the jewelry that needs to be cleaned, fill everything with the resulting solution. Place everything on low heat, slightly heating, and boil for 20-25 minutes. When the solution has cooled, rinse the gold in water and dry.

What can I use to clean it?

There are many ways to clean gold at home. Most of them do not apply to the use of specialized purchased formulations.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies are the most accessible and popular because they do not require additional expenses and are easy to use.

Gold jewelry

Ammonia

To prepare the cleaning solution, you need to prepare several components:

shampoo - 1 teaspoon;
ammonia - ½ teaspoon.
warm water - 100 ml.

Mix the ingredients in a deep container and mix them thoroughly. Place the decoration completely in a container with liquid. Keep it in the product until the dirt begins to peel off from the surfaces. Remove the product, rinse under cool water, and wipe thoroughly with a dry cloth.

Hydrogen peroxide

Light stains can be removed with a cloth soaked in peroxide. If the contamination is serious, you need to use a more effective method:

Mix 200 ml of warm water with 30 mg of peroxide. Add a little liquid soap, 1 teaspoon of ammonia.
Mix the ingredients.
Immerse the decoration in the container for 5 hours.
Rinse off the solution with cool water and wipe the decoration with dry cloths.

Chapstick

To remove light stains, you must first apply hygienic lipstick to the jewelry, and then wipe the surfaces with a dry cloth.

Chapstick (Photo: Instagram / locale.cosmetics)

Vinegar

This cleaning method is only suitable for red and yellow gold without gemstones. To clean, you need to use regular 9% vinegar with the addition of a small amount of lemon juice or soda. Necessary:

Mix the ingredients.
Add 100 ml of water.
Soak the decoration in the solution for 15 minutes.
Rinse the product with water.

Soda

Using soda, you can clean the surfaces of noble metals from light contaminants. She can't handle serious ones. Carrying out cleaning:

Heat 100 ml of water. Place a sheet of foil on the bottom of the container.
Add 4 tbsp. spoons of soda.
Boil the liquid for a few minutes.
Wipe the gold with a brush.

All that remains is to rinse the jewelry with plain water and wipe with a dry cloth.

Baking soda (Photo: Instagram / energometmgn)

Salt

It is not recommended to clean gold jewelry with soda as it is considered a strong abrasive. It is only suitable for complementing homemade cleaning compositions.

Lemon acid

Usage:

To boil water.
Add 1 tbsp. spoon of citric acid.
Immerse the decoration in the prepared solution for 6 minutes.

After cleaning, rinse off any remaining citric acid with cool water and dry the product.

Toothpaste

Apply toothpaste to a soft brush and wipe the stained areas. After removing the dirt, rinse the product off the surfaces with cool water.

Not every paste is suitable for cleaning precious metals from plaque and dirt. It should not contain foreign chemical additives or abrasive particles for teeth whitening. It is better to choose gel paste.

Paste GOI

GOI paste belongs to special compositions that are intended for polishing metal products. When cleaning gold surfaces, you need to follow the same steps as with toothpaste. Not suitable for cleaning white gold.

Dishwashing liquid

Dishwashing detergents can only remove light stains. Cleaning:

Place a clean cloth folded in several layers on the bottom of a metal pan.
Place the jewelry on top of the rag.
Add 20–30 ml of detergent diluted with water.
Boil the liquid for 10 minutes.
Rinse off the product with cold water.

Cleaning in dishwashing liquid (Photo: Instagram / goodlombard_)

Chalk

Usage:

Crush the chalk.
Mix with a small amount of ammonia to obtain a homogeneous mixture.
Apply the product to the product.
Wipe with a soft brush.
Rinse with water.

Special means

Gold cleaning can be done using special industrial products that are designed to remove household dirt and plaque from jewelry. They do not damage the precious metal.

Aladdin

Designed for caring for jewelry. Application of Aladdin:

Place the jewelry in a special mesh and lower it into a container with a solution so that the cleaning liquid completely covers the metal.
Remove the product from the solution after a few seconds. Clean hard-to-reach places with a brush.
Rinse the metal under cool water. Wipe with a dry cloth.

The price of Aladdin is 70 rubles.

Gold chain (Photo: Instagram / gold.ast)

CONNOISSEURS

American cleaner for precious metals. To restore a chain, bracelet or ring to its former beauty, just soak the jewelry in the cleaning solution for 30 seconds and wipe with a dry cloth. The duration of the procedure cannot be increased, as the surface of the product may be damaged.

HAGERTY GOLD CLEAN

French composition for cleaning precious metals. Suitable for caring for rose and white gold. Helps restore shine and brightness of surfaces. You need to immerse the jewelry in the composition for 2 minutes. If the contamination is serious, it is better to apply it to a sponge and wipe the dark area.

LEUCHTTURM

German product for cleaning metal surfaces from dirt. To remove heavy stains, you need to place the product in the composition for 8 minutes.

Gold pendant (Photo: Instagram / zoloto___2020)

Clean with vinegar

How to clean gold so it shines ? To add shine and shine to gold, you can use regular vinegar. For work, we use 9% table vinegar, which we pour into a container and place the gold product in it, leaving it for 25-30 minutes. Then the gold needs to be cleaned with a soft-bristled toothbrush. After the procedure, the product must be rinsed under clean water and dried with a napkin.

Note! This cleaning option is not suitable for working with products containing stones.

How to remove hair from a gold chain

Since the chain consists of small links, small hairs or particles of wool periodically get stuck between them, which is why the jewelry looks sloppy and loses its aesthetics:

Carefully remove excess with toothpicks or tweezers.
Hold the jewelry over the flame of a lighter for a couple of seconds. During this time, it will not be damaged, but all the hairs will burn. After this, carefully clean the links with a soft brush and soapy water or hydrogen peroxide.

Mechanical cleaning

Cleaning gold jewelry at home is not an easy task. I would like to pay special attention to the question of how to clean gold from blackness. If the above remedies do not bring you results, try mechanical cleaning. This method is the most effective. We do not recommend using soda or other abrasive materials for work; they can cause damage to your jewelry in the form of scratches. In order to clean tarnished gold, it is better to use special pastes. The cost of these products is low, but they are made from special gentle ingredients that will not harm your product. For work, you can use a toothbrush with soft bristles or a napkin. Apply the product to the product and begin cleaning in one direction. After completing the procedure, the product must be wiped with an alcohol solution, which will remove the film formed after cleaning.

For mechanical cleaning, you can prepare the paste yourself. We offer one of these methods.

Combine equal proportions of petroleum jelly, laundry soap (grate), warm water, toothpaste, and crushed chalk. Apply the solution to the product using a toothbrush. Clean the product in one direction. After completing the manipulations, wipe the gold with an alcohol-containing solution and dry with a napkin.

As an experiment, you can try to remove darkened stains with an eraser.

How to fix scratches on silver items

While it’s easy to add shine to the dull surface of silver, getting rid of scratches is more problematic. They often appear as a fine mesh of intersecting lines. There are several ways to remove them:

using polishes and abrasive pastes;
exposure to sandpaper;
using a nail file;
using silicone rings.

Using pastes

Abrasive pastes can be used as a silver polish. The method is considered long and labor-intensive. The paste is applied to felt and rubbed into the scratched surface of the silver for a long time. This method helps in case of shallow cuts. With prolonged use, the micron layer of silver is erased and the surface is leveled.

The table shows the names of pastes used to work with silver.

Name of the paste	Application
Polishing paste 3M 51825 7100136482	Country of origin: USA. Designed to add shine to the surface of silver, gold and other non-ferrous metals.
Mellerud paste	Country of origin: Germany. Gold, silver, copper are polished.

Using Sandpaper

Shallow scratches from the surface of silver are removed with sandpaper.
For this purpose, the smallest variety is used - zero. The work is carried out carefully, without pressure, so as not to spoil the silver product. After this, GOI paste is applied, then the surface is well polished. Another option is polishing paper. It has different degrees of abrasive grain. They begin processing with large grains and gradually go down. This paper is convenient because it bends easily. It becomes possible to process hard-to-reach places.

Nail file

To remove minor scratches, it is convenient to use a nail file. This refers to the tool with which the nail plate is processed. The device is convenient for this type of work because it has a soft coating on the surface. It is better to use a narrow tool shape so that you can grind in all places of the product.

Application of silicone rings

In this case, a grinding machine is required. The silicone rings used have different degrees of grain. First, a coarse-grain attachment is placed on the rotating rod and the silver surface is polished. Then the nozzle is changed to a medium-grain one, and at the last stage the finest one is put on.

Jewelry polishing is a do-it-yourself process. However, care should be taken not to damage the decoration. This especially applies to white gold with a thin layer of rhodium on the surface.

Do you have any successful experience polishing jewelry? Be sure to tell us about it in the comments to the article.

Cleaning white gold

A special alloy of copper, nickel and gold forms a compound called white gold. The surface of this metal is coated with rhodium, therefore it is most susceptible to mechanical stress, and not all methods listed earlier are suitable for working with white gold. Metal cleaning can be done using a soft cloth.

You can clean metal using the method described above with ammonia. Just reduce the exposure time to 55-60 minutes. Do not leave gold items wet under any circumstances, as this may have a negative effect on the metal.

Attention!!! To clean white gold products, you cannot use various pastes used under mechanical influence.

To work with this metal you can use the following composition:

2 tbsp. l. beer;
1 egg yolk.

Mix everything well and lubricate the product with a napkin. Use gentle movements to clean the gold.

Why does gold turn black?

Before learning how to clean gold, you need to understand why it darkens. Causes:

Metal surfaces are regularly covered with sweat and other metabolic products, which cause plaque to appear on the surface of products.
Some jewelry alloys contain nickel and copper. The noble metal begins to tarnish when these alloy components react with sulfur oxides and oxygen.
Gold items change color when exposed to deodorants, perfumes, medicinal products, hygiene products, and household chemicals.

Metal also darkens if stored improperly.

Cleaning gold jewelry with stones

The question of how to clean gold with stones deserves special attention . The most important assistant for you will be an alcohol-containing solution. They need to wipe the product, then rinse with clean water and dry with a napkin. Please note that this method is suitable if you decide to clean gold and diamonds. In addition, the product can be rubbed with ammonia and washed in soapy water. Diamonds can be cleaned with a brush; this will not cause any harm to them. For work, you can use cotton swabs.

Also, to clean gold with stones, in addition to an alcohol solution, you can use:

Cologne;
Petrol.

Using one of the listed products, apply to the product with a cloth or brush, rub it carefully, and dry.

Do not use sharp objects that can damage the surface!

Pay attention to the method of attaching the stones; if it is glue, then immersing the products in water is not recommended.

How to prepare a chain before cleaning

After wearing it for a long time, you will probably want to clean your gold chain so that it shines in the sun like new. Pay attention to the weaving: if it is complex like Byzantine, armored, Cardinal, Venetian, “fox tail”, then it is better to contact specialists and order ultrasonic cleaning. Home methods in such cases are ineffective. However, with anchor or chain mail weaving, you can try “home methods”.

Preliminary preparation of decoration:

Remove pendants and pendants.
Fasten the chain to reduce the risk of tangling.
Soak heavily soiled items in soapy water and then rinse with water.

After this, you can proceed to cleaning the gold chain at home, without turning to specialists.

Cleaning gold jewelry with a matte surface

Recently, matte gold has been gaining popularity. However, such metal requires the most gentle and delicate care. Do not use brushes, rough cloths, or abrasives; all this can destroy the surface. We suggest you clean metal in the following ways:

Place the product in an ammonia solution for about two hours. Then rinse in water and dry;
Make a mixture of 1 tsp. lime and water, add salt on the tip of a knife and 0.5 tsp. soda Let the solution sit for 3-4 days. Then we immerse the products in it for 4 hours. After the procedure, we wash and dry the gold.

We have listed many options for cleaning products, but in order for them to serve you longer, you need to carefully care for them and monitor their condition.

Why do gold chains darken and tarnish?

Factors that cause pollution are dust, grease, and particles of human skin. There is a negative impact not only from the external environment, but also from the cosmetics used by the owner. Therefore, when going to the shower or to the gym, take off your jewelry.

Gold itself does not turn black, due to which it is classified as a noble metal. In jewelry production, the most popular is 585 gold, which contains alloys of nickel, copper and palladium. This is necessary to increase the durability of the jewelry. However, it is these metals that, if you ignore the care of the chain, will eventually cause tarnishing and discoloration.

Useful tips

In order to return the product to its original glossy appearance, it is recommended to soak it for 6-8 hours in a strong saline solution - 40 g. salt per 250 milliliters of water. After this time, the decoration should be rinsed with water and immediately begin working with vinegar.

It is strictly forbidden to use vinegar essence (70%) - it can cause irreparable damage to the metal. If you don’t have vinegar at hand in the required concentration, you should dilute one tablespoon of pure essence with 9 tablespoons of clean water.

If the product is not gold, but gilded, then the concentration of vinegar should not exceed 9%, the cleaning time should not exceed 5 minutes, and polishing should be done without strong pressure.

Features of purification of various types of gold

Different types of metal are cleaned differently. Due to differences in alloy compositions, one or another product may damage the jewelry or be completely ineffective.

Red

The alloy contains copper, so the products acquire a beautiful shade. Such gold can be cleaned at home using all available methods, which cannot be said about white jewelry.

We recommend:

Pros and cons of an induction cooker

Matte

Such gold requires careful handling and delicate cleaning. You can prepare a solution from 3 g of quicklime, 1 g of soda, a glass of clean water and leave it to infuse for several days. After the specified time, the jewelry is immersed in liquid for 3 hours, then washed and dried.

White

White gold is rhodium plated, so such items should be handled with extreme care. A few important points:

When carrying out the procedure, only soft fabrics with a small pile should be used. You need to fill a glass with clean water, add a few drops of ammonia to it and lower the white gold jewelry into the container. After 3-5 minutes, take the product out and wipe it dry.
The use of abrasive materials and pastes is strictly prohibited. It is recommended to use a mixture of 2 tsp of one egg yolk. beer. The liquid is applied to the white gold item, then it should be gently rubbed. When washed under running water and dried with a cloth, the decoration will shine as before.

Low quality

Gold with a purity lower than 585 must be carefully cleaned only using a soap solution. Compositions containing ammonia can change the color of the metal by reacting with it. Before you clean gold of this type, you should think a hundred times whether it’s worth the risk, or whether it’s better to turn to a professional.

Gold plated items

Many jewelry stores offer jewelry made not from a gold alloy, but with a slight coating - gold plating. Such things easily become scratched and lose their shine, so it is important to choose a delicate but effective cleaning product. You can moisten a cotton pad in beer or wine alcohol and gently wipe the product. Then rinse the jewelry under running water and dry with a clean soft cloth or in the open air.

Professional products

In addition to traditional methods, you can also use industrial cleaning products. Substances are available for sale in the form of pastes, liquids, and specially impregnated wipes. When choosing products, you must pay attention to what type of gold and type of products the product is intended for, and strictly follow the instructions for its use.

Solutions for chemical exposure

In addition to wipes and pastes, you can also choose effervescent tablets for cleaning. This product is used to prepare an all-purpose cleaning solution that gently and gently cleans jewelry and restores it to its original shine.

What kind of soap can I use?

Oil released from the sebaceous glands of the skin forms an oily coating on gold and diamonds. Dust settles on the surface and the object begins to darken. The wedding ring is wiped with soda, but the abrasive material scratches the precious stone on the ring, and boiling water changes color. The soap is gentle, removes plaque from pearls and coral, topaz and diamonds, and leaves no marks on gold.

Children's

To restore shine to jewelry or remove stains on earrings or a pendant, heat water, fill a bowl with it, add a little baby soap, and whisk into foam. Gold items are dipped into the solution, wiped with a soft brush, after an hour, removed from the container, rinsed and placed on a napkin.

Dermatological

This type of soap consists of synthetic substances that have antibacterial properties. The detergent produces a small amount of foam, but disinfects and removes plaque that forms on gold jewelry.

Self made

The jewelry is cleaned of dirt with a paste prepared from water, chalk and grated soap, which is made from olive or castor oil and wax. Rub the stone and gold with the mixture and polish it to a shine with a dry cloth.

Liquid

Jewelry retains its beauty and sophistication when it is cared for regularly. You don’t have to seek help from a professional for a long time if you soak gold objects with an attached stone in a liquid soap that forms a thick foam. The plaque dissolves, and the dirt is easy to wipe off with a soft brush. The product is rinsed and dried with a napkin or cloth.

Cream soap

Rings and signet rings with loose diamond inserts should not be soaked in liquid composition. Such jewelry is cleaned with a special paste or wiped with a swab and soaked in cream soap.

Cleaning nuances depending on the type of product

Not all items made of precious metals can be cleaned at home. This applies to the following products:

with a large number of small links;
made of low-grade gold;
with stones (both precious and semi-precious).

Chains, bracelets and other products with small parts, links

Jewelry with a large number of small parts cannot be cleaned from dirt using superficial methods. To do this, you need to take a toothpick with a cotton wool soaked in alcohol wrapped around it, and go through all the links with dirt. To avoid damage to the product, it is better to contact a professional jewelry workshop.

With rocks

It is not recommended to clean such products using folk remedies, since the structure of the stone or its attachment points can be damaged. Effective method:

wet a cotton pad with alcohol or gasoline;
process stone and gold;
wipe with a clean cloth and dry.

Jewelry with natural stones (for example, diamonds) should never be dipped into water.

Ring

Rings are most often subject to contamination due to constant contact with the skin and various organic and inorganic substances. All home remedies, including boiling, are suitable for cleaning products without stones. To avoid damage, it is better to take jewelry with stones to a jewelry workshop.

Earrings

Such jewelry should be cleaned as often as possible. It is advisable to wipe the products with a soft cloth once a week, and if there are stains, use homemade or professional solutions. Earrings with precious or semi-precious stones are best left to a jeweler.

Cross

It is better not to subject the product to mechanical cleaning. Soaking in the solution is the best method for cleaning the cross. In this case, it is contraindicated to resort to boiling and the use of ammonia.

Preparing Jewelry for Cleaning

If your gold accessory is a delicate work of art and has filigree patterns, ornate designs and other decorations, then much more effort must be made to remove dirt.

Stage 1

Preliminary preparation requires softening of contaminants. To do this, place the gold jewelry in a warm soapy solution and let it sit for several hours. The duration of such soaking depends on the total volume and origin of contaminants.

Stage 2

If you are cleaning chain links or the engraving on a gold ring, mechanical action may be required. Using a small soft brush and soap solution, first clean stubborn stains, and then proceed to more serious methods of exposure.

What to pay attention to before you start

Not all remedies are good. And not everyone is suitable in one case or another.

Therefore, before starting work, you must keep in mind that:

Some places may be difficult to reach. For them, an additional brush is used;
If you have stones, especially precious ones, it is better to resort to separate methods of cleansing. They will be discussed separately;
Any solution made must completely cover the item.

First of all, you should consider which common cleaning methods are suitable for a particular type of metal.

Nuances: a small auxiliary table

Before you figure out how to clean gold - with vinegar or something else, you should familiarize yourself with the basic nuances.

The table provides data on what type of cleansing is suitable or not suitable for a particular type of jewelry.

Type	Vinegar	Alcohol	Paste	Soda	Soap	Brush
yellow	+	+	+	+	+	+
red	+	+	+	+	+	+
white	—	+	+	+	+	+
matte	—	—	—	+	+	—
with inserts	—	+	+	—	+	+

With this information, it will be much easier to keep your jewelry in good condition.

So, first, let's look at the options with vinegar. Which, as can be seen above, is suitable exclusively for yellow and red gold.