Gold is a precious metal that’s been in use for thousands of years. It’s durable and resists tarnishing, but gold does need to be cared for to maintain its luster. If you have gold earrings, you should know how to clean them properly.
This article will tell you how to clean gold earrings so they look like new again.
Key Takeaways
- The first step in keeping gold earrings looking new and maintaining their luster is to make sure they’re clean. Also, you don’t want to wear dirty jewelry.
- Use warm water and mild soap or detergent to clean your gold earrings. Use a soft brush or soft cloth to scrub away any grime or dirt embedded in the holes of your earrings.
- Soap breaks down dirt and oil and helps to remove them from your earrings. A soft toothbrush helps scrub away any stubborn dirt on the surface of your earrings.
- Gold jewelry should be cleaned after a week to maintain its luster
Why Clean Gold Jewelry?
Get Rid of Oil and Dirt
Gold jewelry looks best when shiny and bright; however, dirt and makeup can dull its appearance over time.
You should clean your earrings every time you wear them to remove oils from your skin as well as any other residue left behind by cosmetics such as lipstick or mascara that may have rubbed off onto your jewelry during the day.
This will also help keep your skin healthy by preventing acne breakouts caused by bacteria that can grow on dirty pieces of jewelry if they are not cleaned regularly.
Step 1: Gather Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning gold earrings is an easy process if you follow the right steps. The first step is to gather your supplies. You will need:
- Soft-bristled baby toothbrush
- Warm Water. Do not use hot water
- Dish soap
- A bowl
Using a Jewelry Cleaner on Gold Earrings
Another way to clean your gold jewelry at home is by use of a jewelry cleaner designed specifically for this purpose.
These products can be purchased at most jewelry stores and come in liquid form or as a spray-on solution that you wipe onto your jewelry with a cloth or rag.
They contain solutions that break down dirt and grease from your jewelry so it’s easier to remove than if you simply wiped it down with water alone. For this guide, we will be using warm water, dish soap, and a toothbrush to clean gold jewelry such as gold rings and earrings.
Step 2:Â Soak Gold Earrings in Soapy Water
The second thing that you need to do is take your small bowl, put warm water in it, and add a few drops of liquid soap.
Start by soaking the earrings in the solution for 30 minutes. The solution of soapy water will soften any dirt on the surface of the earring, making it easier to remove with a toothbrush.
Step 3: Scrub the Gold Jewelry Gently
Now wet your toothbrush with this mixture and scrub your gold earrings gently with it. Clean the entire surface of your earring thoroughly until no more dirt remains on it.
Don’t scrub too hard or you could damage the stones.
Step 4: Rinse your Gold Earrings
After you have washed your gold earrings with soap and water, rinse them off with clean water until there is no trace of soap left on them.
Finally, dry your earrings well with a soft cloth or an absorbent paper towel for several minutes before putting them away for storage in their jewelry box.
Cleaning Gold Jewelry with Gemstones
When cleaning gold jewelry, be sure to check the piece for any gemstones. Do not submerge gold earrings with emeralds, pearls, opals, coral, bone, or wood since they will be damaged while others will absorb water.
Instead, soak a soft cloth in soapy water to clean gold jewelry with this type of gemstone. Gold jewelry with ruby, sapphire, diamond, and aquamarine can be submerged in water but take care when scrubbing with a soft brush not to apply pressure on their prong settings so as not to damage them.
Also, do not soak earrings that have been attached with glue since this glue can come off.
Cleaning gold plated and white gold jewelry
Gold-plated and white gold jewelry can be cleaned in the same way. It is best to use a soft brush or cloth with warm water and mild dish soap. Do not use any chemicals such as baking soda on this type of jewelry as these may damage the plating.
If you have a lot of buildup of grime on your gold-plated jewelry, you can soak it in lukewarm water for about 15 minutes and then scrub gently with a soft toothbrush. Scrub gently so as not to remove the plating.
Additional Cleaning Tips
If you have an old set of gold earrings that are tarnished, you can take them to a jeweler who uses a special solution to remove the tarnish and bring out the shine in your earrings.
This process will cost more than cleaning gold jewelry at home but may be worth it if your earrings are very old or valuable. You can also remove the tarnish yourself by use of vinegar or ammonia.
How to Maintain Your Gold Earrings?
If you take good care of your gold earrings, they will last longer and look better. There are several ways in which you can maintain your gold earrings to ensure they last longer. Here are some tips on how to maintain your gold earrings:
- Store your gold earrings in a safe place where they won’t get scratched by other objects or knocked around too much (like in a jewelry box). This will prevent scratches from forming on the surface of your earrings over time.
- If your earrings get dirty, use a soft-bristled toothbrush dipped in warm soapy water to gently scrub them clean. Don’t use a stiff brush or scrub too hard, especially for gold-plated jewelry. Doing so will scratch the surface of the earring and cause scratches on your skin as well.
FAQs Related to Gold Jewelry or Earrings
Can I Use Vinegar to Clean Gold Jewelry?
Yes, you can use vinegar to clean gold jewelry. Vinegar consists of about 6% to 10% acetic acid and the rest is water. It’s this acetic acid that makes it useful for cleaning. The acid breaks down dirt and oil molecules so they can be washed away with water.
To clean your gold jewelry with vinegar, first, soak the piece in a bowl of water mixed with two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar for 10 minutes or so. Then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub off any visible dirt or grime. Then rinse with clean water, dry with a soft cloth, and store in a jewelry box until the next use.Â
How Do You Make Gold Jewelry Sparkle?
If you want your jewelry to sparkle, there are a few tricks you can use.
Use White Vinegar
White vinegar is a great cleaning agent for all sorts of household items, and it works wonders on jewelry as well. If your piece has been sitting around in your closet for a while and is dull, soak it in white vinegar solution for about 10 minutes and then rinse it off with water.Â
This will remove any grime, or dirt and make the piece look brighter and shinier.
Use Ammonia
Ammonia is another natural cleaning agent that works well for removing tarnish from gold or silver jewelry. To use it, fill a small dish with 1-part ammonia and 3 parts water and dip your jewelry into the solution for 10 minutes. Rinse with clean water and pat dry with a dry cloth.
Don’t Use Harsh Chemicals
There are lots of products on the market that claim to clean gold or silver without harming it, but many of these products contain harsh chemicals that can damage your jewelry.
Avoid using harsh chemicals such as bleach or acetone on your gold jewelry because they can damage the piece permanently and even cause discoloration on some types of gold.
