Solid gold is one of the easiest things to look after, and a few simple habits keep it bright for a lifetime. This guide covers how to clean gold jewellery at home, how often to do it, what to keep it away from, and how to lift the light patina that lower-karat gold can pick up over time.
To clean gold jewellery, soak it for about fifteen to twenty minutes in warm water with a little mild dish soap, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, rinse in clean warm water, and pat dry with a soft lint-free cloth. Do this every month or so, keep gold away from chlorine and harsh chemicals, and buff any light dullness with a soft microfibre or jewellery polishing cloth.
How to clean gold jewellery at home
The best clean for gold is also the gentlest, and it works for yellow, white and rose gold alike. You need only warm water, a little mild dish soap, and a soft brush.
- Mix a small bowl of warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Warm, not hot.
- Soak the piece for fifteen to twenty minutes to loosen oils and everyday buildup.
- Brush it gently with a soft toothbrush, working into clasps, links and around any settings.
- Rinse in clean warm water, with the plug in the basin or using a bowl so nothing slips down the drain.
- Pat dry and buff gently with a soft, lint-free or microfibre cloth. Avoid paper towel, which can leave fine scratches.
That is all most gold needs to look like new again. For extra shine between washes, a quick buff with a soft cloth is enough.
Why gold loses its shine, and the patina on lower-karat gold
Most of the time, gold that looks dull is simply carrying a film of skin oils, hand cream, soap and everyday grime, which a clean lifts straight off. Pure gold does not rust or tarnish, and higher-karat gold like 18K, with more pure gold in it, stays bright with very little effort.
Lower-karat gold behaves a little differently, and this is worth knowing. Because 9K and 10K gold contain more alloy metals, especially copper and silver, those metals can slowly react with air, moisture, perspiration and skincare products to leave a faint patina or light tarnish on the surface. It is the alloy reacting, not the gold itself, it is completely harmless, and it is more likely on pieces worn daily or exposed to lotions and sweat. The fix is easy: a gentle buff with a soft microfibre cloth or a treated jewellery polishing cloth lifts it and brings the shine back. One tip, do not wash a treated polishing cloth, as washing removes the polishing compound that does the work. The link between karat and this effect is covered in our guide to 9K, 10K, 14K and 18K gold.
How often should you clean gold?
It depends on how much a piece is worn. For gold worn every day, a light wipe with a soft cloth every week or two keeps it bright, with a proper soak about once a month. Pieces worn only occasionally need cleaning just every few months, or whenever they start to look dull. Lower-karat pieces that pick up a patina may like a quick buff with a polishing cloth a little more often, which takes only a moment.
What to avoid
Keeping gold away from a few things protects both the metal and any stones it holds. Never use chlorine or bleach: chlorine attacks the alloy metals in gold and, with repeated exposure, can weaken the metal and even the claws that hold a stone, so take gold off before swimming in a chlorinated pool or sitting in a spa. Avoid abrasive cleaners, including toothpaste and baking soda, which scratch and dull the surface rather than clean it. Steer clear of harsh chemicals such as ammonia-based cleaners, acetone and nail polish remover, which can damage the metal or its finish. And take rings and bracelets off before cleaning, gardening or the gym, so they are not knocked or exposed.
Caring for white gold and pieces set with stones
Two kinds of piece want a little extra thought. White gold can be cleaned the same gentle way, but remember that its bright white comes from a rhodium finish that wears and is refreshed by replating rather than by home cleaning, as our guide to white gold and rhodium plating explains. And gold set with gemstones or pearls should be treated as gently as the stone, not the metal, since many coloured stones and all pearls are softer and more delicate than gold and must never go near an ultrasonic cleaner or harsh chemicals. For those, clean by hand and see our guides to caring for gemstones and pearls, and for diamond-set gold, caring for diamonds.
Storing gold and keeping it bright
A little care in storage keeps gold looking its best for years.
Clean gold with warm water and mild dish soap about once a month, buff any light patina from lower-karat pieces with a soft microfibre or polishing cloth, and keep gold away from chlorine, abrasives and harsh chemicals. Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or lined box so pieces do not scratch each other, and an anti-tarnish pouch helps lower-karat gold stay bright. Looked after this way, solid gold lasts for generations.
Caring for gold is part of our wider guide to gold. The same simple routine keeps every piece bright, across our earrings, bracelets, necklaces and pendants, rings and men's.
