How to clean gold chains?
Let’s be honest – the whole point of gold is in its shine. If your gold jewelry isn’t shining, it isn’t worth wearing. However, don’t worry – we have some good news for you. Regular cleaning should bring out the shine you love so much. Here is how to clean gold chain and how to clean white gold chain!
How to clean gold chain at home
Cleaning your gold jewelry is as easy as 1, 2, 3. The best methods how to clean gold chain are the following.
- Use vinegar – probably one of the easiest ways to clean your gold treasures. You just need to drop your jewelry into a bowl with white vinegar and leave it for 10 – 15 minutes. Then, rinse and polish with a soft-bristled cloth or toothbrush.
- Use alcohol – this method shouldn’t be used for fragile or antique gold jewelry. How to clean gold chain with alcohol? Prepare a 50/50 mixture of rubbing alcohol and warm water in a bowl. Put your jewelry into the bowl for a few minutes. Rinse and dry with a cloth.
- Use ammonia – mix warm water with ammonia (each 6 parts water – 1 part ammonia) and soak your jewelry in this solution for 1 minute maximum (ammonia is an extremely powerful cleaner). Rinse thoroughly under water and dry with a cloth.
How to clean gold plated chain
The best DIY way to safely clean gold-plated jewelry at home is using soap and warm water. You should do such a deep clean every couple of weeks to keep your gold jewelry glamorously shiny. Make sure you clean it gently not to scratch your pieces. You will need some dishwasher liquid (just a few drops) or soap and warm water. Mix them in a small bowl and soak your gold-plated jewelry in the solution for a couple of minutes to loosen up residue and dirt. Then, carefully wipe the jewelry down with a soft cloth to return the shine.
How to clean a gold chain that turned black
Gold jewelry is elegant and eye-catching but… unfortunately when metals alloyed with gold react with oxygen, it can discolor or tarnish your gold pieces. Blackening or tarnishing happens when lower-carat gold comes into contact with sweat and body sprays such as perfume or hairspray. However, with a little gentle cleaning, you can make it shine again. This is how to clean a gold chain that turned black.
- Try to remove tarnish with a soft chamois cloth.
- Mix 1 teaspoon dish soap into 1 cup cold water. Add 3 drops of ammonia.
- Lay the chain on a tower and rub it with a solution with a toothbrush.
- When you remove the rest of the tarnish, rinse the chain with warm water and let it dry.
How to clean white gold chain
Maintaining white gold jewelry might be a little bit more difficult compared with caring for pieces made of yellow gold. This is because white gold consists of yellow gold mixed with white metals and covered with plating. However, you can clean your gold chains with a mixture of mild soap and warm water. You shouldn’t use detergents with chlorine or other harsh chemicals. To clean your gold pieces, just soak them in the solution for 20 – 30 minutes. Then, gently rub the jewelry using a soft cloth and finally, rinse it with warm water.
