How to Clean Gold Jewellery at Home

Before you start cleaning your gold jewellery, it’s essential to understand the material and what causes tarnishing to occur. The most common types of gold include 24k, 18k, 14k and 10k. The ‘k’ refers to its karat weight—how pure the gold is. You can learn more about gold purity here. 

• 24-karat gold: This is the purest form of gold and the least likely to tarnish. Gold is a relatively soft metal that can be easily damaged, so it’s a good idea to learn how to clean tarnished gold at home.
• 18-karat gold: 18k is the next gold purity level after 24k gold and is our karat of choice at Fyne due to its malleability, durability and high gold content.
• 14-karat gold: This type contains a mix of other metals, making it strong but less pure than 18k. You can learn more about how to clean 14k gold jewellery at home below.
• 10-karat gold: 10k is the lowest karat that can still be considered ‘gold.’

Note: While 18k, 14k and 10k are not ‘pure’ gold ( they have other types of metals mixed in with them known as alloys), they’re still an excellent option for everyday use because they are more durable and are less easily damaged. Lower karat jewellery is usually stronger, however a lower karat is also more prone to tarnishing as it has more alloys.

One of the more obvious reasons to learn how to clean your gold jewellery is to ensure it maintains its shine and beauty. Everyday wear and activities, such as going to the gym and cooking, are guaranteed to make your rings, bracelets, and necklaces accumulate grease, oils, and dirt. 

The stubborn dirt your jewellery accumulates can harbour bacteria and allergens. Properly maintaining your jewellery collection makes it more hygienic, prolongs its lifespan, and maintains its value.

Did you know? 24k gold doesn’t tarnish; only alloys do. 18k, 14k and 9k gold can become dull over time, losing its ‘luster’.

We craft our jewellery with quality and durability in mind. However, lifelong care will ensure your item stays in pristine condition. Here's a guide on how to look after your jewellery:

• Keep away from chlorinated pools, detergents and spas. While our skin can handle these chemicals, 18K gold can be a bit more sensitive
• Take off your jewellery when applying creams, hair spray, perfumes, or other body products.
• To prevent dents and/or scratches, don't wear your jewellery while at the gym or playing sports.
• Store your gold jewellery in its original pouch or box to protect it when not in use.

Even with the utmost care, your gold jewellery may need a helping hand to stay sparkling. You can learn how to clean gold jewellery at home with mild cleaning supplies, which you can do as often as necessary. We also recommend professional cleaning once a year.

There are plenty of ready-made products on the market that you might already use. While they’re specifically designed for cleaning gold, they contain a cocktail of chemicals that, with prolonged use can cause irritation and damage your jewellery, especially if your item has embedded gems. 

Moreover, many pre-made gold cleaning products contain ammonia, surfactants, acids, alcohol, and chelating agents. If you do not dispose of these cleaners adequately, they can negatively impact the environment, cause irritation, and even damage your jewellery.

The best way to clean gold jewellery is by using natural products at home, which, aside from mitigating environmental impact, are better for you and your gold. They’re also considerably cheaper!

In this section, we’ll teach you how to clean gold jewellery at home using softer ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need, whether you’re wanting to learn how to clean a gold ring, necklace, or bracelet:

1. Mild dish soap
2. Warm (not hot) water
3. A baby toothbrush (soft bristles)
4. A bowl
5. A clean microfibre cloth (lint-free)

• Step 1: First, make a soapy solution in the bowl using warm water and dish soap. Then, soak your gold jewellery in the solution for 10–15 minutes to help loosen dirt or grime. 
• Step 2: Use the soft-bristled toothbrush to rub the jewellery gently. The bristles penetrate any crevices or intricate details and help you thoroughly clean the gold.
• Step 3: Once finished, you can run the jewellery under lukewarm water to remove any soap residue.
• Step 4: When considering how to make your gold jewellery shiny again, the drying process is just as important. Pat the item dry with a kitchen towel and then rub it with a microfibre cloth to enhance the shine. Make sure to leave it to completely air-dry before using or storing.

Top tip: When rinsing your jewellery, use a sieve to prevent any pieces from falling down the plughole.

Unless we’re talking about cleaning your wedding band or a plain gold chain, you’ll likely have some pieces of jewellery with precious stones like diamonds embedded. With pieces like these, you must take special precautions to ensure you don’t damage the stones. Here are our top five recommendations for cleaning gemstone-embedded gold:

1. Look for loose stones: Before you start, ensure that the gemstones are securely fastened and that no pieces are loose.
2. Use warm water: Hot water can damage gems, especially softer gems like rubies and emeralds, so be sure to use warm water instead.
3. Avoid prolonged soaking (15 minutes maximum): Prolonged soaking can weaken any adhesives used in the elaboration of the jewellery and in some porous gems (e.g., opals), it can cause discolouration.
4. Avoid harsh chemicals and store-bought cleansers: Use the dish soap and water method for milder cleaning.
5. Dry thoroughly: Moisture is your jewellery’s enemy and can weaken the gem’s setting over time.

Although cleaning your gold can be a simple task, you should keep a few essential things in mind to preserve the beauty and shine of your piece. Here are some common mistakes to avoid during the cleaning process:

• Harsh chemicals: People often mistakenly use harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, or abrasive cleaning powders when cleaning their jewellery. These chemicals can damage the gold or delicate gemstones. Therefore, the best way to clean gold jewellery is with softer ingredients.
• Forceful scrubbing: Scrubbing too vigorously with stiff brushes can scratch the metal and loosen stone settings, which can eventually cause some of your gems to fall out. 
• Excessive soaking: One of the most common errors is soaking jewellery for too long, especially pieces with glued or porous stones, which can weaken adhesives or cause discolouration. 
• Incorrect water temperature: Using very hot water or exposing the jewellery to sudden temperature changes can also crack or warp more delicate materials. 
• Not rinsing: Failure to rinse thoroughly after cleaning may leave soap residues, dulling the jewellery’s shine over time. 
• Inadequate drying: Finally, drying with rough towels or neglecting to let the jewellery air-dry completely can result in water spots or fine scratches that diminish its lustre.

Although most jewellery cleaning can be done at home, there are some situations in which it may be better to seek professional help. At Fyne, we offer professional jewellery cleaning services and repairs to prolong the lifespan of your piece and keep it sparkling for longer. Find out more about our care and repair services here.

• Delicate or porous gemstones: You should seek professional cleaning help for your gold jewellery if your jewellery features delicate or porous gemstones, such as opals, pearls, or emeralds. These are better cleaned professionally, as these stones require special care that DIY methods might not provide. Diamonds and gold are usually much more durable, and home-cleaning methods should not pose an issue.
• Intricate or antique designs: If the piece includes intricate or antique designs, improper cleaning could damage the detailing or weaken the structure. 
• Stubborn stains: Another key indicator is if the jewellery has accumulated grime or tarnish that doesn’t respond to gentle cleaning at home. This suggests the need for specialised equipment, expert knowledge, and cleaning agents. 
• Loose or damaged settings: If you notice loose or damaged settings, have the piece checked and cleaned by a professional jeweller to prevent further damage or loss of stones. We offer a lifetime warranty on our own pieces that includes repairs under these terms.

High-value or heirloom items: For heirloom or high-value pieces, professional cleaning not only ensures thorough care but also helps maintain their value and integrity over time.