How to Clean Gold Jewelry the Right Way

Gold bracelet and ring in black encased box next to tooth brush and dishwashing liquid

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 15 - 20 mins
  • Total Time: 35 - 40 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10

The luster of gold jewelry and its durability have been a symbol of wealth and status for thousands of years. The amount of gold in jewelry can range from solid 24-karat to a thin layer of gold wash. Pure gold is 24 karats, a soft metal prone to scratching. You will often see jewelry marked as 14-karat and 10-karat; both are still "real gold"; however, the gold has been mixed with other metals or alloys to increase its hardness and durability. A lot of gold jewelry is embellished with precious gemstones, pearls, enamel, or other metals like silver, platinum, and copper.

Since almost all jewelry is worn close to the skin, it can attract body oils, make-up, soil, germs, and bacteria. All this build-up makes gold lose its luster. Regular cleaning will keep gold jewelry gleaming for decades. Learn the best at-home technique by following the simple steps below.

Tip

Never use toothpaste, baking soda, or a commercial metal cleaner on gold. If you use these abrasives, you may scratch the gold. Never use bleach. Bleach reacts with gold and will eat away at gold alloys.

How Often to Clean Gold Jewelry

The cleaning frequency of gold jewelry depends on how often it is worn. Gold does not tarnish easily like silver, but frequent wearing and handling can leave it looking dull.

Lower karat gold that contains a higher concentration of alloys will tarnish if exposed to excessive levels of chemicals like chlorine, alcohol, acids, and sulfur compounds.

Frequently worn jewelry should be cleaned at least monthly or more often if the finish begins to look dull.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Soft-bristled brush
  • Soft cotton cloth
  • Small bowl

Materials

  • Dish soap
  • Warm water

Instructions

Supplies and tools laid on white surface for cleaning gold jewelry

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  1. Mix the Dish Soap Cleaning Solution

    Fill a small bowl (one large enough to hold the entire piece of gold jewelry) with warm water. Add a couple of drops of dish soap and swish to mix in the soap thoroughly.

    It is best to clean only one or two pieces of gold jewelry to prevent the pieces from scratching.

    Small white bowl with water mixed with dishwashing liquid to clean gold jewelry

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Soak for 20 Minutes

    Add the gold jewelry and let it soak for at least 20 minutes. In time, the dishwashing liquid will break down any grease on the surface.

    Gold bracelet soaking in cleaning solution in white bowl

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  3. Scrub With a Soft Toothbrush if Needed

    If the jewelry is highly carved or exceptionally dirty, you may need to give it a light scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush, such as an old soft toothbrush or jeweler's brush. Gentle scrubbing will remove embedded soil in any recessed areas.

    Tip

    An eyebrow brush is another wonderful tool to clean jewelry if the bristles are soft. Any brush with stiff bristles can scratch the gold.


    Old toothbrush scrubbing gold bracelet for cleaning

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  4. Rinse and Dry

    After soaking, rinse the gold jewelry with plain water and use a soft cotton cloth to buff the piece dry. Do not use a paper towel because the fibers could scratch the surface, especially on higher karat gold.

    Gold bracelet dried and buffed with white cotton cloth

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Tip

If you have accidentally used silver polish or another cleaner that has left gold jewelry looking dull, mix the dish soap and warm water solution and submerge the jewelry. Wait five minutes and wipe away the film using a soft cotton cloth. Return the jewelry to the cleaning solution to soak for another 15 minutes, then rinse and dry as recommended.

Tips to Keep Gold Jewelry Clean Longer

  • Remove gold jewelry when washing your hands or bathing to prevent soap scum from forming on the surface.
  • Remove all jewelry before entering a hot tub, swimming pool, or the beach. Harsh chemicals like chlorine, acids, sulfur, and salt can damage or discolor gold, particularly items less than 24 karats. Chlorine can weaken your gold jewelry’s structure and eventually lead to its breaking. 
  • Avoid exposing gold jewelry to hair sprays, make-up, medicated lotions, and creams.
  • Carefully store gold jewelry in separate compartments of a fabric-lined jewelry box to prevent items from scratching each other and dulling the finish.
  • Avoid cleaning gold with ammonia. You can use it, but it is a strong chemical that is caustic. Some will use it for deep cleaning of jewelry. But, be judicious. If you overuse it, it can wear down your gold. Also, ammonia may not be safe for other types of jewelry like platinum or pearls, so be cautious when using it.

When to Go to a Professional

Worried your gold jewelry is permanently ruined? If your pieces are still dull or discolored after cleaning, you should take them to a professional jeweler. The jeweler will know how to restore your piece to its original beauty.

Most places where you have purchased jewelry items may offer complimentary cleaning annually. According to the luxury jewelry retailer Tiffany & Co., the jewelers recommend that you bring your regularly worn jewelry items to get cleaned at least once a year.

Jewelers clean but also check prongs and stone settings. On average, if you bought the jewelry elsewhere or your jewelry store doesn't offer free cleaning, you can expect to pay between $25 to $50 for the jeweler's time and expertise. 

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. 6 summer jewelry care tips. Jewelers of America.