How to clean gold at home?

All jewelry, including gold, become dirty, fade over time, and become covered with an ugly coating. Gold items lose their original luster and color, as they also include other metals: cadmium, nickel, zinc, etc. Pollution adversely affects the appearance of jewelry, but if you know how to clean gold at home, then the “solar metal" will sparkle like new.

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Why clean the gold?

Although gold is a noble metal, it loses its original luster over time. In addition to aesthetic components, dirty gold jewelry is also harmful. For example, contamination on earrings can lead to inflammation of the earlobe.

Of course, you can restore the attractive appearance of gold products in the service network, but today it is quite difficult to find such a workshop. Therefore, armed with the experience of homemakers and professional advice from jewelers, we will tell you how to free metal from oxide, layering dirt and clean gold at home, using simple tricks and affordable tools.

Important! Many different scientifically proven facts of the impact on human health and superstition are associated with precious metals. If you have a lot of such jewelry, you will probably be interested to get acquainted with properties and signs of gold and silver. 

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Cleaning gold at home

Before you clean gold at home, consider some of the nuances of jewelry:

• In many jewelry, especially in rings, there are various inaccessible places for cleaning. For example, convex patterns, ornaments, stone inserts. In the usual method of cleaning, it is quite difficult to process such a part of the jewelry, so when washing the product with water, use a toothbrush.
• Choose a container for the cleaning procedure so that all the items that you plan to clean at home are completely covered with the solution you prepared.
• The means used for cleaning depend on the composition of the jewelry, as well as on the degree of contamination.

Important! Slight stains on gold jewelry can be removed with a soap solution. Immerse the products in warm soapy water, leave for a couple of hours. After - remove the dirt with a toothbrush, and wash the jewelry, dry it. If such a cleaning of gold did not produce results, then use more effective means.

Cleaning gold at home with ammonia

For this cleaning method you will need:

• ammonia;
• washing powder or dishwashing detergent;
• water.

To clean gold with ammonia at home, take the components in the following proportions: 1 tbsp. water 1 tsp ammonia, 1 tsp. detergent.

Proceed as follows:

1. Boil water.
2. Pour water into a prepared deep container.
3. Pour the required amount of the selected detergent.
4. Add ammonia.
5. Mix the mixture well so that the powder dissolves in water.
6. Place the product in the solution for 2 hours.
7. After the cleaning procedure, wash the products under running water.
8. Dry the product with a soft cloth.

Important! Ammonia can be used together with chalk: wipe the product with ammonia mixed with chalk, and then wash the jewelry in soapy water. After that, rinse with running water, wipe dry. In this case, gold refining is carried out both mechanically and chemically.

We suggest using the following available gold cleaning products at home.

Dishwashing Detergent

1. Dissolve 1 teaspoon in one glass of water. any detergent for dishes.
2. Put a soft cloth on the bottom of the dishes.
3. Put contaminated jewelry in a container.
4. Pour well-mixed solution into the dishes.
5. Put the dishes on a heated stove, boil the solution for 10 minutes along with the decoration.
6. After the cleaning procedure, rinse the items under running water, wipe dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Liquid soap and hydrogen peroxide

For this method of cleaning, prepare the following components: 1 tbsp. water 1 tsp ammonia, 1 tsp. liquid soap, 40 ml of hydrogen peroxide.

The principle of their use in order to clean gold is simple:

1. Heat water and add all of the listed ingredients.
2. Immerse your jewelry in this solution for 20 minutes.
3. Rinse under running water and wipe dry.

Salt

1. Dissolve in ½ cup hot water 3 tbsp. l salt.
2. Immerse the decoration in the saline solution for the whole night.
3. In the morning, rinse under water and wipe dry with a soft cloth.

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How to clean gold to make it shiny?

Gold can darken for various reasons. Also, plaque can both completely cover the product and be present on it with only individual spots. Depending on how contaminated your jewelry is, choose one of the following remedies to solve the problem, than clean the gold at home.

Gold Cleaners:

1. If a spot of iodine appears on the surface of the gold, then place it for 15-20 minutes in a solution of hyposulfite (1 tbsp. L. Funds in 1 tbsp. Water). Use the tool photographers. You can buy it in specialized stores.
2. Lipstick will help restore the shine of the products, as it contains titanium dioxide, which allows you to remove black from the surface of gold. Apply lipstick on a rag (cotton swab) and wipe the surface of the product.
3. Remove darkened spots with onions or vinegar. After cleaning the product, rinse the jewelry with water and dry it.
4. Special chemical solutions for cleaning gold are suitable. They well remove fat and sulfur compounds of metals deposited on the surface of jewelry.

5. You can also clean the product with regular toothpaste: with a toothbrush, apply paste to it and clean the dirt. If you are thinking how to clean a gold chain at home, brush it with a paste, then hold it with a soft cloth and pull it back and forth several times. After the cleaning procedure, rinse the product with clean water and dry it.
6. You can prepare a cleaning paste by mixing in equal amounts crushed chalk, petroleum jelly, soap shavings and water. Clean gold with a thick paste: apply to the surface of the product and wipe with a soft cloth. After the procedure, rinse the decoration with water and dry.
7. With the help of granulated sugar, you can give the products a shine, but this procedure will not clean them from dirt: 2-3 tsp. dilute granulated sugar in 1 tbsp. warm water. Place the decoration in the solution overnight.
8. To make the gold shine, use foil: put 2 tbsp. In a glass of hot water. l baking soda. Lay the foil on the bottom of the deep dish and place the decoration there. Pour the product with soda solution and leave it overnight. In the morning, rinse under the tap and wipe dry with a soft towel.

Important! And we have prepared separate articles for you, information from which will help to understand issues that concern many girls:

• How to wear women's rings in your arms?
• How to choose the right jewelry for the neckline of the dress?

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Shine White Gold

An additional component of white gold is nickel, which gives the metal a specific shade. The surface of such products is coated with rhodium. Over time, the coating tends to thin out due to friction. Therefore, in order to preserve the rhodium coating on white gold as long as possible, clean only with a soft cloth or cloth. There are several ways to clean white gold.

Method number 1

1. In equal proportions, take ammonia and water.
2. Mix the ingredients and add a little shampoo.
3. Place gold items in the solution for 30 minutes. After the procedure, rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.

Method number 2

1. ½ tbsp. mix warm beer with 1 egg yolk.
2. After preparing a homogeneous mass, apply it on a soft cotton cloth.
3. Clean the product with a cleaner.
4. Rinse the decoration under running water.
5. Dry well.

Important! To clean white gold jewelry, do not use pastes, dry powders and hard brushes, as this can easily damage the dust and cause micro-scratches on the surface.

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How to clean gold with stones at home?

You can clean gold with stones at home, but you must do this with extreme caution. First of all, you need to know which particular stone is inlaid.

We clean soft stones on gold

Soft stones such as pearls, amber, turquoise, coral do not tolerate high humidity. When cleaning such products, follow these guidelines:

• soft stones do not withstand contact with vinegar and ammonia;
• pearls tend to dissolve in an acidic environment;
• when cleaning products with soft stones, you can not use toothpaste and abrasive products;
• regularly care for products with soft stones by wiping them with a flannel or suede napkin, especially after any contact of the stone with water;
• turquoise and coral lose their luster after using detergents;

• never immerse jewelry with glued stones in water. They must be cleaned with a cloth dampened in soapy water. Prefer liquid soap or shampoo;
• You can get rid of dirt in hard-to-reach places with a cotton swab dipped in glycerin;
• The use of regular matches is also recommended for cleaning gems: wipe the stone with the ash of a burnt match, then rinse with water.

Important! The best way to brighten jewelry with soft stones is a water-alcohol solution (alcohol and water in equal proportions). Alcohol can also handle fat contamination: immerse the ring or chain in alcohol for 20-25 minutes. Then treat the product with a cloth dampened in a warm soapy solution. After cleaning, rinse the jewelry with clean water and wipe it dry.Do not use sharp objects to clean the frame so as not to damage it.

We clean hard stones on gold

Hard stones include:

• quartz;
• sapphire;
• topaz;
• aquamarine;
• diamond;
• beryl.

Use the following recommendations and tips when cleaning hard stone products:

• You can clean gold with such stones in a solution of water, liquid soap and hydrogen peroxide. This cleaning method is suitable for heavily soiled items.
• Regular care is carried out using a warm solution of liquid soap with water: just hold the product in such a solution for 5-7 minutes. After that, wash the products and place them on a dry, well-absorbing cloth until completely dry.

Important! To clean gold jewelry with diamond and platinum, do not use laundry soap, as it reduces the luster of metal.

If you like a variety of jewelry and follow the modern fashion for handmade jewelry, follow the links where you will find detailed workshops:

• How to make a chain in the original design?
• How to make polymer clay earrings?

• To clean gold with diamonds, use ammonia: in 1 tbsp. water, add 6 drops of ammonia and place the decoration in a solution for 20-25 minutes. Clean inaccessible places with a cotton swab dipped in a solution, then rinse the product with clean water and pat dry with a cloth. This method is also effective for cleaning jewelry with cubic zirconia and zirconium.
• Products with emeralds, topazes, sapphires, diamonds can be cleaned with special paste purchased in jewelry stores.

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Gold storage

In order for jewelry to not lose their attractive appearance and please you as long as possible, you need to not only regularly clean your gold at home, but also look after it correctly. For this:

1. Before you start the household chores: washing dishes, spring cleaning, cooking, remove the gold rings and bracelets.
2. Do not wear jewelry before going to the gym.
3. Remove jewelry before taking a bath or shower.
4. Remove jewelry before medical and cosmetic procedures, as some medicines and cosmetics can adversely affect the appearance of jewelry.
5. Do not store jewelry in cardboard boxes or caskets, as cardboard may contain sulfur, which has oxidizing properties.
6. Clean your gold about 1 time per month.
7. Keep your favorite jewelry away from light and heat in a casket or case, shifting them with a soft flannel.

Important! In addition to gold jewelry, other products that can be made with a variety of materials with one's own hand are also in fashion today. Our master classes will help you with this:

• DIY leather jewelry.
• DIY fur jewelry. 

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Fancy jewelry requires attention and care. To your beloved gold chains, rings, earrings and bracelets served you for many years and did not lose their beauty and brilliance, take care of them and regularly look after them. Then the “solar metal" will sparkle, shine with sparkle, as if it had just been produced by the hands of a jeweler.