Who likes to part with their favorite gold jewelry and accessories? It is especially painful when they simply get dirty, darken, turn pale and lose their former beauty. Of course, this can be avoided if you regularly care for the metal, because even unpretentious gold needs care. But what to do when trouble has already happened? Let's talk!
Dishwashing liquid
The best way to combat grease, oil traces and plaque of any origin is a product created specifically for this task. Take dishwashing gel, dilute it in water and leave the decorations in it. You can even boil gold without coatings and stones in a solution for a few minutes - a good way to clean out all the small links and other hard-to-reach places.
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.
Salt
Saline solution is the simplest, most affordable and fairly gentle means for cleaning gold jewelry. Pour a couple of tablespoons of fine salt into a glass and leave the gold in the concentrated solution overnight, and in the morning just rinse with water. The method is not suitable for soft stones that do not tolerate long soaking.
Methods for cleaning with soda
There are several options with which you can restore the shine and beauty of jewelry. They all vary in time: from 5 minutes to 1 hour.
The duration and method of cleaning depend not on the color, but on the sample of the products: the higher it is, the easier it is to return them to their original appearance. Attention! Low-grade gold is difficult to clean at home and requires longer exposure and complex, multi-component cleaning compositions.
Method No. 1 “Simpler than simple”
Lightly moisten the jewelry with water, apply a thin layer of baking soda, and then wipe it with a cloth. This option is good for preventative cleaning of lightly soiled jewelry once every 30 days.
Method No. 2 “Foil + soda”
This method involves soaking the jewelry for 10 hours, so it is better to use this option in the evening.
- To do this, line a narrow container with regular food foil.
- Then prepare a cleaning solution: add 2 tbsp to a glass of hot water. l. soda and 1 tsp. salt.
- Pour the resulting solution over the jewelry, placed in a container covered with foil, and leave for 8-10 hours.
- Then rinse and wipe.
Method number 3 “Boiling gold”
This method of depositing gold with soda will require 30 minutes of time, so it is better to clean several items at once, stringing them on a thick thread so that you can easily remove the entire bunch from boiling water and rinse.
- To prepare the cleaning solution, dissolve 2 tbsp in a glass of water. l. baking soda.
- Cover the bottom of any container with a cloth, place decorations on it and fill with the prepared solution.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for 25–30 minutes.
- Wash and dry the products.
Method No. 4 “Boiling water +”
This option is preferable either for very dirty products or for products with a sample level lower than 585. When preparing the cleaning solution, add 2 tbsp to a glass of water. l. soda and 1/2 tsp. dishwashing detergents (for example, “Fairy”). Next, as in the previous method: pour in, boil for 30 minutes, rinse. After treating gold jewelry with cleaning solutions, they should be rinsed. Important! To ensure that there are no chemical components left on the products, which can later cause allergies from contact with the skin, it is better to rinse them with plenty of running water. Then they should be dried, spread out on a napkin, and then wiped with a dry cloth for shine.
Options for cleaning jewelry at home can only be used for jewelry without gemstones or inserts!
Tooth powder or paste
The beauty of the method is in its simplicity: you only need them and an old toothbrush - nothing more. Keep in mind that powder cleans better, but it is rougher, and with paste you will have to tinker longer - but it is more delicate. Another method is to apply bleaching paste to the gold and leave it until it dries - this will bring back the lost shine.
How can folk remedies save gold jewelry?
There are many ways to restore the presentation of your jewelry at home, and folk remedies using improvised products .
Table salt
This is probably one of the most inexpensive and simplest methods. All you need is water and salt. Place the jewelry in a warm saline solution overnight and follow the standard rinsing and drying procedure in the morning.
Hydrogen peroxide with added liquid soap
Ammonia, liquid soap and peroxide are added to the heated water and stirred until the components are completely mixed. Then the gold is immersed in the cleaning solution for twenty minutes. After time, the gold must be removed, washed and dried.
Dentifrice
Probably, many people know this method of cleaning gold jewelry from their parents and grandmothers. Due to the fact that tooth powder has abrasive properties, it can easily clean metal from contamination. The action of cleaning jewelry is similar to brushing your teeth. The product is coated with powder and cleaned with a toothbrush. You need to clean only as much as the decoration is dirty. After cleaning, rinse with running water and wipe dry.
Onion juice
This method is not familiar to many people, but it is very effective. The manipulation will not cause difficulties - you just need to cut the onion in half and rub the released juice on chains, bracelets and rings without stones ( jewelry with inserts require different care ). The gold treated with juice is left for a couple of hours, after which the standard washing procedure is performed.
Ammonia
It is used in its pure form, diluted with water or mixed with other components to enhance the effect. For example, with washing powder in the proportion - one spoon of each per cup of boiling water. The jewelry is placed in the solution for 1-2 hours, after which most of the dirt comes off on its own.
White and yellow, are there any nuances?
Rules for cleaning white gold items:
- Use only soft cloth.
- Do not use toothpaste, powder or rough brushes. Products made of white gold are plated with rhodium, which gradually wears off over time.
- It is possible to clean with ammonia diluted with water or use a recipe based on beer with egg yolk.
The methods discussed above are suitable for cleaning yellow gold, but you need to know that any product must be cleaned individually. Because different gemstone inserts react differently to abrasives and other chemicals.
Chalk
Chalk is good for cleaning gold, but it should be jewelry without stones or coatings that are easy to scratch. Mix chalk powder with grated laundry soap or ammonia to a thick, dense paste. To apply the mixture well to the surface, use an old toothbrush. Don't forget to wash your jewelry to avoid stains later.
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.
How to clean white gold?
The thing about white gold is that it is actually an alloy of several different components. It may contain nickel, copper, palladium, rhodium plating and other additives, depending on the decoration. The main rule here is not to erase the top light and shiny layer, so no abrasives.
You can refresh such decorations in a sugar solution (2 large spoons per glass of water), in which they are soaked overnight. The same soap solution, where you need to place the jewelry for half an hour, will help with minor blackness. When the white gold is pretty dirty, leave it for half an hour in a solution of ammonia and shampoo.
Cleaned chains and rings should be thoroughly rinsed with running water and gently wiped with a soft microfiber or paper towel. Keep in mind that restoring the lost shine of white gold is a task close to impossible. Therefore, it is better to entrust any serious manipulations and complex stains to master jewelers.
Universal recipes for cleaning gold items
For cleaning gold rings and chains at home, you will certainly find these folk recipes useful!
Powder, ammonia and water
Cleaning with ammonia will take several hours, but your accessories will simply sparkle!
Compound:
- Ammonia – 1 tsp;
- Water – 200 ml;
- Powder – 1 tbsp. l.
- Step 1. Pour boiled water into a deep plate.
- Step 2: Add laundry detergent.
- Step 3. Add ammonia.
- Step 4. Mix well.
- Step 5: Place the rings in water for about 2 hours.
- Step 6: Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
Dishwashing liquid
Another good method that will allow you to cope with even severe dirt.
Compound:
- Water – 200 ml;
- Detergent – 1 tsp.
- Step 1. Add dishwashing gel to cold water.
- Step 2. Place the container on the fire, lining the bottom with a soft cloth.
- Step 3: Place your jewelry in this soapy solution.
- Step 4. Boil for 10 minutes.
- Step 5: Rinse and dry.
Hydrogen peroxide and liquid soap
Compound:
- Water – 200 ml;
- Peroxide – 40 g;
- Liquid soap – 1 tsp;
- Ammonia – 1 tsp.
- Step 1. Warm up the water slightly.
- Step 2: Add all ingredients.
- Step 3. Pour the solution into a deep bowl.
- Step 4: Immerse the gold for about 20 minutes.
- Step 5: Rinse and dry them.
Salt
You can also clean gold jewelry with kitchen salt. It's very easy to do!
Compound:
- Salt – 3 tbsp. l.;
- Water – 200 ml.
- Step 1: Add salt to hot water.
- Step 2. Drop the gold into the solution and leave it overnight.
- Step 3. In the morning, rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
By the way, salt in this recipe can be replaced with sugar. The effect will be exactly the same.
Foil, soda and water
These simple ingredients, found in every kitchen, will make gold shine.
Compound:
- Water – 200 ml;
- A piece of foil;
- Baking soda – 1.5 tbsp. l.
- Step 1. Prepare a solution of baking soda and hot water.
- Step 2: Line the bottom of the bowl with foil.
- Step 3: Place your decorations on top.
- Step 4. Wait 8-12 hours.
- Step 5: Rinse in cool water and dry.
Borax solution
If your gold chain is very dirty, try cleaning it with this effective product.
- Step 1. Soak a piece of silk fabric in the borax solution.
- Step 2: Lightly polish the jewelry.
- Step 3. Rinse them and rub them until shiny.
Chalk and ammonia
Compound:
- Chalk - 3-4 pieces;
- Ammonia – 5 tbsp. l.
- Step 1. Crush the chalk into powder.
- Step 2. Add ammonia to it.
- Step 3. Use a toothbrush or a piece of cloth and rub the gold.
- Step 4: Rinse and dry.
Vinegar
How to clean gold without harm and without scratches? Take table vinegar, soak a clean cloth in it, wipe the dirty areas, rinse and dry.
Lipstick
A very unusual method, but quite effective!
- Step 1: Apply some light lipstick to the gold ring.
- Step 2. Walk it over the entire surface.
- Step 3: Polish the ring until it shines with a piece of velvet.
Egg white and beer
- Step 1: Beat the egg white.
- Step 2. Add a little beer.
- Step 3: Soak a soft, clean cloth in the cleaning solution and clean your gold jewelry.
Onion juice
- Step 1. Squeeze the juice from the onion.
- Step 2. Dampen a napkin in it.
- Step 3. Wipe the jewelry, rinse in clean water and dry with a soft cloth.
Special cleaning paste
Compound:
- Toothpaste – 1 part;
- Chalk (crushed) – 1 part;
- Laundry soap shavings – 1 part;
- Vaseline – 1 part;
- Warm water – 1 part;
- Alcohol – 1 part.
- Step 1. Combine all ingredients (except alcohol).
- Step 2. Lubricate the surface of the product with paste.
- Step 3: Using a soft cloth, move in the same direction.
- Step 4: Wash the gold in rubbing alcohol to remove the Vaseline.
How to clean gold with stones?
The most difficult thing to clean is inlaid jewelry, because you need to take into account their features too. If your favorite ring or earrings have many different stones, don’t hesitate to bring them to the workshop. It is difficult to find a universal recipe when malachite is very scratched, garnet does not tolerate hot water, pearls do not tolerate acids and alkalis, and amber does not tolerate any solvents.
With hard stones, like cubic zirconia or diamond, it’s easier - any product with ammonia will do for them. And jewelry stores often sell ready-made cleaning pastes for home use - a useful purchase if you love jewelry. For everyday care, a soap solution and microfiber polishing is sufficient.
It is more difficult with soft stones: they do not tolerate vinegar and ammonia in any concentration. Some breeds may become cloudy or even change color. Do not use any aggressive abrasives or powders, long soaking or other too long exposures. Essentially, all you have left is an alcohol solution for 15-20 minutes and a soft, lint-free cloth.
Methods for cleaning with soda
There are several options with which you can restore the shine and beauty of jewelry. They all vary in time: from 5 minutes to 1 hour.
The duration and method of cleaning depend not on the color, but on the sample of the products: the higher it is, the easier it is to return them to their original appearance. Attention! Low-grade gold is difficult to clean at home and requires longer exposure and complex, multi-component cleaning compositions.
Method No. 1 “Simpler than simple”
Lightly moisten the jewelry with water, apply a thin layer of baking soda, and then wipe it with a cloth. This option is good for preventative cleaning of lightly soiled jewelry once every 30 days.
Method No. 2 “Foil + soda”
This method involves soaking the jewelry for 10 hours, so it is better to use this option in the evening.
- To do this, line a narrow container with regular food foil.
- Then prepare a cleaning solution: add 2 tbsp to a glass of hot water. l. soda and 1 tsp. salt.
- Pour the resulting solution over the jewelry, placed in a container covered with foil, and leave for 8-10 hours.
- Then rinse and wipe.
Method number 3 “Boiling gold”
This method of depositing gold with soda will require 30 minutes of time, so it is better to clean several items at once, stringing them on a thick thread so that you can easily remove the entire bunch from boiling water and rinse.
- To prepare the cleaning solution, dissolve 2 tbsp in a glass of water. l. baking soda.
- Cover the bottom of any container with a cloth, place decorations on it and fill with the prepared solution.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for 25–30 minutes.
- Wash and dry the products.
Method No. 4 “Boiling water +”
This option is preferable either for very dirty products or for products with a sample level lower than 585. When preparing the cleaning solution, add 2 tbsp to a glass of water. l. soda and 1/2 tsp. dishwashing detergents (for example, “Fairy”). Next, as in the previous method: pour in, boil for 30 minutes, rinse.
After treating gold jewelry with cleaning solutions, they should be rinsed. Important! To ensure that there are no chemical components left on the products, which can later cause allergies from contact with the skin, it is better to rinse them with plenty of running water. Then they should be dried, spread out on a napkin, and then wiped with a dry cloth for shine.
Options for cleaning jewelry at home can only be used for jewelry without gemstones or inserts!
How to clean gold plate?
First of all, we recommend finding out how thick the gilding layer is on your jewelry and what its composition is - this is usually indicated on the tag. Then a simple rule applies: the thinner the coating, the more delicate it is. Therefore, it is better to abandon any abrasive methods, aggressive substances and concentrated solutions.
Try cleaning the gold plate with soapy water and a soft sponge, cloth or microfiber. Polish the jewelry using light circular motions, but not too hard. If it doesn’t help, add a drop of ammonia to the liquid and repeat the procedure.
There are no problems with a thick layer of gilding - it is almost as good as pure gold in terms of characteristics. But if you have even the slightest doubt, be sure to first test any method on the inside or any other inconspicuous place.
How to quickly clean gold jewelry (chains, bracelets and rings)
Please note that stains on gold items are not only unsightly, but also unsafe for health.
For example, accumulated dirt on piercings or earrings can cause inflammation. Therefore, caring for jewelry, be it earrings, rings without stones, chains or bracelets is simply necessary!
And now you will learn how to quickly clean gold products using improvised means.
Detergent
Each of us always has the most common dishwashing detergent at home, which is exactly what we need. Take a glass of warm water and dilute one teaspoon of detergent in it. Now you need to prepare a container in which you can heat the water. A soft cloth is placed at the bottom of this vessel and filled with the prepared solution. Everything is ready to place the decorations. Now you need to put it on low heat and boil a little for about 10 minutes, and then remove and rinse the gold jewelry thoroughly under running water. Believe me, the dirt will disappear in a matter of minutes. Wet items should be wiped with a lint-free cloth, but it is best to simply dry chains and bracelets with a hairdryer.
Ammonia
The next method using available means involves preparing a solution from washing powder, alcohol and plain water. First you need to boil water and add powder and ammonia to it. Once the powder granules have completely dissolved, decorations can be placed. Let them sit in the solution for about 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Don't forget to dry the washed items with a hairdryer.
Such manipulations will not take you much time, but the fifteen minutes spent will be fully justified by the shining appearance of gold bracelets, chains or rings .
How to clean gold at home
The easiest way is to use special tools. They are designed specifically for jewelry and will not harm them, quickly and efficiently removing dirt and plaque.
Ultrasonic device
This device is very effective and makes it possible to perfectly clean gold earrings or other jewelry in hard-to-reach places. However, the device is expensive, and not everyone can afford such a purchase.
But what to do if there are no special tools at hand? It is acceptable to use available and inexpensive materials, the main thing is to understand how to properly clean gold with their help.
Professional paste
This composition can be purchased at a jewelry store for a reasonable amount. It is economical and the product will last for a long time, in addition, it is not difficult to use, just follow the instructions for use. There are also foams and sprays that can cope with plaque and dust on precious metal.
How to care for gold items?
To ensure that your rings, bracelets and chains get less dirty and need cleaning as little as possible, follow these simple recommendations:
- remove jewelry while doing homework;
- do not take a bath or shower without first removing the rings from your fingers and taking out the gold earrings from your ears (the same applies to visiting the pool);
- play sports without decorating yourself with jewelry, sweat leads to the formation of plaque and dust “sticking” to the surface;
- if you are taking medications, put off gold jewelry until the end of the course of treatment, as some medications increase sweating;
- do not leave jewelry on an open shelf, table or dressing table, as they will quickly become dusty; it is better to place them in a box and put them in a closet, chest of drawers or desk drawer.
Of course, the optimal solution would be to go to a jewelry workshop, where a specialist will carefully clean it without any difficulty or risk of damaging the product.
In addition, you can purchase a special product that will do a good job of removing plaque and darkening of the metal. However, such substances have a high cost and therefore are not particularly popular; most people prefer to use home remedies for this purpose, which are not difficult to find in every home. Did you like the article? Was she helpful?