How to Clean Gold Plated Jewelry?

Gold plating is a popular choice for trendy jewelry items that aren’t intended to be worn for long periods. After some time, the thin layer of gold will get damaged or dissolve and rub off. How to clean gold plated jewelry step-by-step. Here’s the proper way to clean your gold plated jewelry so it shines like its brand new without damaging your plating.

How often should I clean gold plated jewelry?

Every piece of gold plated jewelry that you own should be wiped down with a microfiber cloth or damp cotton ball after wearing to remove surface dirt and smudges. If your gold-plated jewelry has been exposed to alcohol, chlorine, acids, and sulfur compounds, a more thorough cleaning is required. This is because these substances can cause base metals to tarnish.

How to clean gold plated jewelry at home?

What you will need for cleaning gold plated jewelry

• Dishwashing liquid
• Warm water
• Small bowl
• Microfiber cloth or jewelry cloth
• Cotton ball
• Cotton swab

Cleaning gold plated jewelry instructions

• Wipe your jewelry after wearing

Use a microfiber cloth or damp cotton ball to remove any body oil and grime. You can also use a jewelry cloth to wipe gold plated jewelry after each use. Allow to air dry before storing again.

• Mix the cleaning solution

If your jewelry is sticky to the touch or visibly soiled, it should be washed with soap and warm water. In a small bowl, mix two to three drops of dishwashing liquid with a glass of water.

• Soak your jewelry

If your jewelry does not have decorations such as pearls, gemstones, or enamel, you can soak it directly in the cleaning solution for about 10 minutes. To prevent scratches, only clean one or two pieces at a time.

Dealing with Embedded Soil

If your jewelry is beautifully carved, use a cotton swab to remove dirt from small crevices. But remember, never use sharp tools like a knife or paper clip to remove any dirt, as this may scratch and strip the gold plating.

Rinse, Dry and Polish

After you’ve cleaned your gold plated jewelry thoroughly, rinse it with warm water. Then, dry with a soft, lint-free cloth and buff lightly to restore shine.

Tips for cleaning gold plated jewelry

• Do not wear any gold-plated jewelry when applying perfume, makeup, or hairspray.
• Before handling gold plated jewelry, make sure your hands are free of makeup, lotion and dirt.
• Be sure to remove all gold-plated jewelry when preparing acidic foods.
• Before exercising, remember to remove gold-plated pieces to avoid salt damage to your jewelry. This also applies to other activities that cause excessive sweating.
• Do not swim in salt water or chlorinated pools while wearing gold-plated jewelry.
• Remember not to carry gold-plated jewelry in your purse with other items as this can damage them.
• Remember to store all gold plated pieces in separate lockets to keep them from scratching each other.

How to take care of my gold plated jewelry?

• Always wash and dry your hands before putting on and taking off any gold-plated jewelry.
• Make sure you have applied lotion, makeup and perfume before wearing gold plated earrings.
• Remove gold-plated rings or bracelets before chopping tomatoes or other acidic foods.
• Avoid rubbing gold-plated necklaces and bracelets against each other, and gold-plated rings against countertops.
• When putting your car keys in your purse or pocket, avoid rubbing your car keys against gold-plated jewelry.
• Before changing your baby’s diaper, remove gold-plated rings and bracelets.
• Please remove all gold plated jewelry before swimming.
• If you’re going to an event where you’re likely to sweat a lot, remove all gold-plated jewelry.
• When cleaning gold-plated jewelry, be careful and gentle – rubbing can have negative effects.
• Store all gold plated jewelry separately from all other jewelry in a soft cloth or pouch.

FAQs about cleaning gold plated jewelry

How long does gold plated jewelry last?

It’s difficult to determine how long a chain or other gold plated jewelry will last because there are many factors that affect it. Products with thicker coatings may last longer than those with thinner coatings. Because it is constantly exposed to the elements and can cause damage, clothing that is worn every day will wear out faster.

The average lifespan of a gold plated piece is two years. Afterwards, gold plated jewelry will lose its luster and start to wear. Depending on how well maintained your jewelry collection is, this time can vary. If your jewelry starts to lose its gold plating, you can take it to a jeweler for regilding.

Is it worth buying gold plated jewelry?

High-quality, gold-plated jewelry can be just as beautiful as genuine gold jewelry. Its shine and sheen can enhance any outfit and come at an incredible price. You can buy multiple sets of gold-plated jewelry for less than one piece of genuine gold jewelry.

Can I use toothpaste to clean gold plated jewelry?

It’s a common misconception that toothpaste is a great way to clean jewelry. This is actually wrong. Toothpaste can damage your diamonds, gemstones, gold and silver. Toothpaste is abrasive and has a Mohs hardness of about 3/4. Metals like gold and silver are soft, so toothpaste can actually scratch your gold and silver jewelry. Not to mention, the chemicals in the essential oils used in toothpaste are corrosive to metals.

Some gemstones have a slightly higher Mohs hardness, but their surfaces will still show wear if cleaned with toothpaste. Toothpaste should never come into contact with pearls and opals; it will destroy their color and luster. So, unless you’re cleaning loose diamonds, it’s best to avoid toothpaste and stick to jewelry cleaners designed for your particular piece of jewelry.

Can I clean gold plated jewelry with vinegar?

We recommend not using abrasive substances such as lemon, vinegar, salt, parmesan, cola, etc. on silver or gold plated items as they tend to corrode the surface. You can easily remove dirt from gold-plated jewelry with water and a mild soap. The important thing to remember is to dry the object very carefully.