Has your gold jewelry lost its attractive shine? No problem. Our article will tell you how to restore your rings and chains to their perfect look using simple home remedies.
Absolutely all gold jewelry fades over time and becomes covered with an unsightly patina. This is due to the fact that various metals are added to gold to make it hard, which inevitably oxidize and begin to color the jewelry a darker color. In addition, the appearance of rings and chains is quite spoiled by decorative cosmetics and the environment.
Without proper care, all these negative factors can spoil the appearance of jewelry so much that they will have to be cleaned with ultrasound. If you want to avoid unnecessary expenses and worries, then periodically clean the surface of the jewelry with home remedies.
How to clean white gold at home?
Cleaning gold with dishwashing detergent
Although white gold is made using a slightly different technology than regular gold (nickel, palladium or platinum is added to its alloy), it also becomes tarnished and covered with dirt. Moreover, due to the fact that it is quite light, negative changes begin to manifest themselves much earlier than on yellow gold.
In addition to the fact that such jewelry is covered with an unsightly coating, it also darkens quite a lot. And if all this dirt accumulates over the years, then over time it will be impossible to return the jewelry to its former shine. Proper care and regular cleaning of your products will help you avoid such problems.
Cleaning white gold jewelry with dishwashing detergent: • Take sparkling water (demineralized) and add any organic detergent to it • Lather the liquid a little and dip the white gold jewelry in it • Leave it there for 15-25 minutes • After the time is up remove them from the solution and gently scrub with a toothbrush • Rinse the rings in clean water and dry with a soft cloth
The effect of soda solution on precious and semi-precious stones
You need to be extra careful when cleaning gold jewelry with stones. In the case of precious stones, polishing using baking soda is allowed, since the stones are much harder and less susceptible to mechanical stress.
It must be remembered that the substance can damage the structure of the insert. It is recommended to pay special attention to porous, opaque minerals.
Such damaged stone may begin to deteriorate over time and develop defects that cannot be corrected. In any case, prolonged contact of the chemical solution and the jewelry stone should be avoided.
Ways to clean gold
Cleaning gold with vinegar
If you love gold jewelry, then you probably know how difficult it can be to restore them to their former shine and rid them of dirt. Low grade gold is especially difficult to clean. It usually contains a fairly large percentage of zinc, nickel and copper.
These metals give gold a greenish color that cannot be removed with regular water. Most often, such products are cleaned in two stages. To begin with, soak it in a solution of washing powder and water, and when the dirt softens a little, begin to remove it.
Methods for cleaning gold: • You can wipe the rings with a mixture of beer and egg white • Place the gold chains for 2-3 minutes in a solution of vinegar and water • Soak the jewelry in freshly squeezed onion juice for 1.5-2 hours • You can try to return the shine to gold with ordinary lipstick • Cook a solution of borax with water, soak a rag in it and wipe your jewelry
Tips and tricks
Gold jewelry is something that is passed down from mother to daughter, from grandmother to granddaughter.
I would like to preserve the original beauty of the product so that it pleases the eye for another generation, and does not go to a pawn shop for pennies as “scrap gold.” All this is possible if you take proper care of your jewelry.
If jewelry contains inserts of precious and semi-precious stones, then they can only be cleaned in a jewelry workshop.
Amber, pearls, and turquoise do not tolerate prolonged contact with water and chemicals—the stones lose their color saturation and shine. The glue of the inserts can melt under the influence of high temperatures, and the stone will simply fall out of the jewelry and be lost.
Any option is unacceptable, so we clean products with stones only in the workshop!
In order to less often turn to the rather expensive services of jewelers, shine in your surroundings and preserve your gold jewelry for future heirs, you need to remember just a few rules:
- remove all jewelry when taking a bath or shower;
- remove rings and bracelets when applying night cream to your hands;
- Remember that gold is a soft metal and avoid contact of jewelry with hard surfaces.
How to clean gold with ammonia?
Ammonia must be diluted with water.
Ammonia is considered a fairly effective means for cleaning zloty products, but because of the unpleasant odor, women use it last. But still, if you use an ordinary medical mask, you can clean your favorite rings without any problems.
Another disadvantage of this method is the ability of ammonia to negatively affect some metals that are present in jewelry. Therefore, you can use this substance literally 2-3 times a year. If you regularly use ammonia “for deep cleaning,” your rings and chains will wear out pretty quickly.
So: • Pour ammonia and water into a container in a ratio of 1:6 • Mix gently to obtain a homogeneous solution • Dip your jewelry into it (no more than 2 minutes) • Using a hand strainer, remove the rings from the water and rinse them thoroughly under running water water • Wipe all items with a soft cloth
How to clean gold with ammonia?
Cleaning gold with ammonia
Although ammonia removes plaque from the surface of jewelry quite well, hard-to-reach places such as stone inserts, ornaments and designs will still require mechanical cleaning. Therefore, be prepared for the fact that after you take out the rings from ammonia, you will have to additionally go over them with a soft toothbrush.
Recommendations for cleaning gold with ammonia: • Take a hermetically sealed jar, pour 150 ml of hot water into it • Add two ampoules of ammonia and 2 tbsp to the water. l. washing powder • Mix the solution thoroughly until smooth • Place jewelry in the jar and close everything with a lid • Shake the jar for 5 minutes • Drain the solution through a sieve, rinse the jewelry with running water and polish them with a woolen cloth
Sweet water
A very gentle and painless way to make old jewelry shine. Ideal for final gold maintenance work, for example after rubbing a ring or earrings with toothpaste - this product is also good at removing patina and old dirt.
Solution composition:
- 1 tbsp. l. granulated sugar with a slide;
- 200 ml of drinking water.
Mode of application:
- Heat water to 40 degrees in a microwave or kettle.
- Dissolve granulated sugar in warm liquid.
- Dip the decorations into the resulting solution until they are completely covered with syrup.
- After 3 hours, rinse the products with cold water and rub with a soft cloth.
If the stones on the gold item are mechanically fixed, such a “sweet bath” will suit almost any inlay. Naturally, except for turquoise, pearls and coral.
How to clean gold with soda?
Cleaning gold with soda
Soda is an excellent alternative to household chemicals for cleaning dirt, so it can easily be used to remove plaque from jewelry.
The main advantage of this cleaning method is the absence of any aggressive substances in the soda. This means that you can use this product regularly and not be afraid that your gold will begin to wear out prematurely.
So: • Pour 1 liter of water into a saucepan, add 2 tsp of soda and 2 tsp of detergent • Mix the soda mixture thoroughly • Place decorations in the saucepan and put on fire • Boil them for 5-10 minutes • Turn off the heat and leave the decorations cool in a soda solution • When they are completely cool, go over them with a toothbrush, rinse and dry
How to clean gold with salt?
Cleaning gold with salt
Salt is considered a natural antibacterial abrasive. Therefore, a mixture prepared on its basis will not only remove dirt and restore shine to gold, but also disinfect all your jewelry. If you decide to use salt to clean your jewelry, then try to apply it in such a way that it does not damage the surface of the rings and chains.
In the case of a saline solution, there is nothing to worry about. The salt will simply dissolve in the water, and you can treat all your jewelry with the solution. But you will have to tinker with the preparation of salt paste. If you put ordinary salt in it, there is a 100% chance that it will scratch your gold. Therefore, before adding this component to the paste, grind it thoroughly in a mortar.
Salt Cleanser Recipe: • Take 1 cup of water • Add 5 tbsp to it. salt • Mix the saline solution thoroughly • Place gold jewelry in it • After 5-6 hours, take them out of the saline solution, wash and dry them
How to clean gold with hydrogen peroxide?
Cleaning gold with hydrogen peroxide
Peroxide itself cannot cope with plaque and dirt, but if you mix it with several active substances, it will radically change its properties and turn from a disinfectant into a cleaning agent. Moreover, this solution will help get rid of dirt even in hard-to-reach places.
So: • Measure out 40-50 ml of hydrogen peroxide • Pour it into 250 ml of water • Add an ampoule of ammonia and 1 tsp. liquid soap • Warm the solution and dip the jewelry into it • After 20 minutes, remove it and rinse thoroughly with clean water • Dry and polish the jewelry
Soda solution for boiling gold items
Expert opinion
Advice!
Baking soda is an alkaline substance recommended for cleaning gold. Cleaning is carried out using various additional components, but sodium bicarbonate is often used without auxiliary ingredients.
The combination of water and NaHCO3 is an effective method to permanently get rid of stains and dirt on the surface of jewelry.
Preparation, use:
- Line a small metal container with a soft cloth.
- Place items made of precious metal, making sure that they do not touch each other.
- Prepare a solution, combine sodium bicarbonate (30 g) and water (250 ml). For severe contamination, add salt crystals (15 g).
- Stir until smooth, pour over decorations.
- Place the container, wait until it boils, reduce the heat.
- At a low boil, avoiding boiling, boil the rings and chains for a quarter of an hour.
- Do not remove the jewelry immediately, wait until the baking soda-based composition cools.
- Remove jewelry and rinse immediately. Rinse well - the remaining solution can dry out, leaving unsightly stains on the surface.
How to clean gold with foil?
Cleaning Gold with Foil
If you don't have time to prepare homemade cleaners and pastes, then try to restore the normal appearance of your jewelry using ordinary foil. No one can say for sure what its effect is, but its presence in a saline or soda solution helps to better remove unsightly plaque.
- Prepare a concentrated saline or soda solution • Bring it to a boil • Place a piece of food foil on the bottom of the glass • Place gold on top of it and pour hot solution • Leave the items in the scanner until the liquid cools completely • Drain the cleaning solution, rinse the jewelry and blot it with a soft cloth
Boiling water, sodium bicarbonate
Baking soda and boiling water are the products most often used to clean precious jewelry.
The advantages of this method are that prolonged soaking of the products is not required. You are allowed to put on your favorite rings or chain immediately after the manipulations.
Preparation of the composition, application:
- Bring water (300 ml) to a boil.
- Add sodium bicarbonate (40 g).
- Stir the mixture until foam appears.
- Cover the container with a soft cloth and place decorations in one layer.
- Pour boiling mixture over.
- Leave for half an hour.
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There is no cleaning required after using the product - just rinsing with a clean liquid is enough. Do not use detergents or brushes.
How to clean gold with toothpaste?
Cleaning gold with toothpaste
Probably everyone knows that toothpaste contains substances that gently polish the enamel. It is this property of the paste that will help us restore old jewelry to its original appearance. When used correctly, it will not only rid your rings of accumulated dirt and make minor scratches less visible.
Due to the fact that the toothpaste does not contain large abrasive substances, you can use it quite often without much fear. This cleaning method is ideal for removing dirt from rings and chains that you wear almost every day.
• Find an old toothbrush • Squeeze some toothpaste onto it • Gently rub the brush onto the surface of the jewelry • Rinse off any remaining toothpaste under running water and pat the piece dry with a soft cloth • Wipe the ring with lemon juice
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.
