You want to keep your pieces looking great if you’re a Gold Chain enthusiast. Cleaning your plated jewelry is simple and easy using items you already have at home.
It’s best to avoid wearing your gold chains where they can be exposed to sweat, hair products, cologne/perfume, body oil, and other chemicals. The less your jewelry encounters these substances, the easier it will be to clean.
Boiling Water
Gold can be tricky when it comes to cleaning, but it’s one of the most beautiful jewelry metals out there, and it’s easy enough to keep shiny and looking fresh with some diligence. This is especially true if you’re wearing a gold chain.
The most straightforward way to clean your gold jewelry is to boil water and soak it for a few minutes. This removes most dirt buildup and is beneficial for heavily tarnished pieces or if they have glued-in gemstones that can’t be removed.
Be careful not to use hot water on gold jewelry with gemstone accents, which could cause the item to lose color. A better option is to prepare a solution of one cup of warm water and a little dish soap, then submerge your pieces in it. After giving them a few periods to soak, rinse them with warm water and pat them dry with a soft cloth or toothbrush.
Baking Soda
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is one of the most potent pantry items. It’s a leavening agent for baked goods, neutralizes odors, and has many other uses around the house.
Baking powder can be used to polish gold jewelry, but a soft brush is a good idea to avoid scratching the metal. To create a natural cleaning solution, mix baking soda with water. Not only is baking soda an effective deodorant but adding a tablespoon to a glass of water can help balance pH levels in the body and even aid in treating various illnesses. It can also gently scrub kitchen and bathroom surfaces and whiten clothes. However, it’s essential to remember that baking soda can lose its potency over time. So, replace your old box when needed. The good news is that it’s easy to tell when the baking soda has lost its power.
Vinegar
Gold chains are regularly exposed to body oils, makeup, perfumes, hair spray, and other substances that can cause tarnish. Using a cleaning agent from your kitchen, like white vinegar, will help you maintain your necklace spotless and shining.
White vinegar can be used to clean authentic gold jewelry, although some other materials that look like gold (iron pyrite, brass, and weathered mica) may turn yellow or lose their luster when placed in the vinegar. This is because vinegar can dissolve these other materials, leaving them dull and dingy.
To clean your jewelry using vinegar, prepare a solution of warm water with just a hint of soap (baby shampoo works well). Your jewelry should soak in the solution for five minutes. Next, take it out of the solution and gently rub any grit on it with a soft-bristled toothbrush or cotton swab. Jewelry should be washed and dried with a gentle towel.
Cotton Swabs
The same cotton swabs used to apply makeup or remove ear wax can also be used to clean jewelry, especially rings, earrings, and the nooks and crannies of pendants and brooches. Just dampen the swab and clean your jewelry of dust, sweat, and other grime that can build up over time.
You can also use a cotton swab to cover up minor paint touchups around the house or help lubricate a stuck zipper. These swabs have a longer-handled plastic spindle than the wooden swabs of old and often have various head designs that can be used to get into hard-to-reach spaces.
Although gold jewelry can withstand some grime and wear and tear, it’s essential to keep your jewelry looking radiant and new by cleaning it regularly. Following these tips and tricks, you can enjoy authentic gold jewelry for years. Whether you’re wearing gold chains, earrings, or bangles, these easy methods will ensure that your precious jewels stay dazzled for as long as possible.
