How to clean gold is a question most people who are fond of wearing the precious metal would want to know.
Today we will share with you some simple ways to clean gold which you can use to maintain the luster of your valuable possessions.
Remember, gold itself is a very stable element (which is the reason
why it is used for making jewellery). But PURE 24k gold is extremely
soft and pliable due to which it needs to be mixed with a little silver
and copper to make it more rough and tough and easy to maintain. Now, it
is this silver and copper present in your jewellery that reacts with
the moisture, sulfur and oxygen in the air and form deposits on the
surface of your treasures, making them to darken with the passage of
time.
Now, doesn’t that imply that you should opt for jewelry with higher gold content (14k or more) when you do pick it up?
Well, you need to know that while purer gold (22k or 18k) is less likely to get darkened, it can be bent out of shape much more easily due to which it will require careful handling too.
Read on to know how to clean jewellery without much effort and expense.
SUGGESTION: Another thing I would suggest here to my readers is to use this opportunity of cleaning gold jewelry at home to also check the pieces for any loosened joints due to usage, any snags or any clamps, etc which need to be tightened.
If you are unable to take off the dark patches or dirt and soap deposits from your jewelry by following the procedure laid down above, you might need to get your jewelry cleaned professionally.
Some people even use ammonia for cleaning gold jewellery at home.
I, personally, would never do that nor recommend it. Using ammonia too often on your jewelry can damage it. I would rather take it for professional cleaning than try ammonia on it.
More sophisticated stores even have ultrasonic cleaning machines which can help you restore the original sheen and sparkle of your trinkets and make them look just like new.
The only problem is that you will have to take out some time and visit someone specially for this purpose. And he might even charge you a small price for cleaning your stuff.
Unless your pieces are heavily soiled or contain deeply embedded dirt, soap and sweat, it is best to clean it at home.
Hope these simple tips and easy stuff you have around you home will help you keep your gold ornaments shining just like new.
Today we will share with you some simple ways to clean gold which you can use to maintain the luster of your valuable possessions.
About Gold
The first thing all gold lovers need to keep in mind is that though gold does not tarnish easily like other metals, rugged handling, grime and dirt can take off much of its sheen and sparkle.
Now, doesn’t that imply that you should opt for jewelry with higher gold content (14k or more) when you do pick it up?
Well, you need to know that while purer gold (22k or 18k) is less likely to get darkened, it can be bent out of shape much more easily due to which it will require careful handling too.
Read on to know how to clean jewellery without much effort and expense.
How to Clean Gold Jewelry?
Gold jewelry which is not studded with any gemstones like pearls, rubies, emeralds, diamonds, etc can be cleaned at home without too much of effort.Things You Require For Cleaning Gold Jewelry At Home
Well, the stuff you require for cleaning gold jewellery at home is so simple that each of us will have it all:
- A medium sized bowl
- A spoonful of mild dish washing detergent or a pea sized amount of toothpaste
- A cup of lukewarm water
- A toothbrush with very soft bristles- a baby toothbrush would be best
- A soft cloth or a wad of absorbent tissues (Again, an old newspaper would be good enough)
Time Trusted Ways to Clean Gold
- Mix a teaspoonful of dish washing detergent with lukewarm water in a bowl.
- Leave the pieces you want to clean in the soapy lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes to soften the embedded dirt.
- If it is only tarnish that you want to take off, simply rub the surface of your jewelry with your fingers gently.
- For mild deposits of dirt, soap residues and sweat, rub gently with a cotton ear bud.
- For hard to reach corners which are darkened or have grime, use a VERY SOFT baby toothbrush.
- You can even consider boiling the pieces of your gold jewelry in soapy water for a few minutes to take off some grime.
- You can also use toothpaste to restore some of its sheen and sparkle, provided you take care not to overdo it. Vigorous brushing of brushing with a hard brush can leave behind scratches and also loosen some of the joints.
- After cleaning it with a mild detergent or toothpaste, wash your jewelry with running warm water.
- After cleaning, lay the jewelry flat on a newspaper or an absorbent cloth to dry.
SUGGESTION: Another thing I would suggest here to my readers is to use this opportunity of cleaning gold jewelry at home to also check the pieces for any loosened joints due to usage, any snags or any clamps, etc which need to be tightened.
If you are unable to take off the dark patches or dirt and soap deposits from your jewelry by following the procedure laid down above, you might need to get your jewelry cleaned professionally.
Some people even use ammonia for cleaning gold jewellery at home.
I, personally, would never do that nor recommend it. Using ammonia too often on your jewelry can damage it. I would rather take it for professional cleaning than try ammonia on it.
Getting Gold Jewelry Cleaned Professionally
Most good jewelry stores have specialized cleaning equipment these days. They can help you clean your stuff using ionic or steam cleaners.More sophisticated stores even have ultrasonic cleaning machines which can help you restore the original sheen and sparkle of your trinkets and make them look just like new.
The only problem is that you will have to take out some time and visit someone specially for this purpose. And he might even charge you a small price for cleaning your stuff.
Unless your pieces are heavily soiled or contain deeply embedded dirt, soap and sweat, it is best to clean it at home.
Hope these simple tips and easy stuff you have around you home will help you keep your gold ornaments shining just like new.
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