From your wedding ring, to your great-grandmother's vintage necklace, precious gold jewelry often features gemstones. While you can take your jewelry to a professional for a cleaning, and should do so if the stones are loose and need resetting, you can also keep your gold jewelry clean at home. Whether you buy commercial cleaner from a jewelry store or make your own at home, clean your jewelry regularly to keep the gold and gemstones sparkling.
Step 1
Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil large enough to line a small cereal bowl. Lay the foil in the bowl shiny-side up and fold it over the edges, covering the entire inside surface of the bowl. The aluminum foil stimulates a process called ion exchange which helps get a squeaky, shiny clean aspect to your jewlery.
Step 2
Fill the bowl with hot tap water. Mix in 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid or liquid laundry detergent without bleach.
Step 3
Drop the jewelry into the soapy water and let it soak for at least one minute. If your jewelry is very dirty, it may need to soak longer.
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Step 4
Scrub the jewelry gently with a soft toothbrush. Rinse it under warm running water and lay it on a towel to dry.
Things You Will Need
- Aluminum foil
- Small cereal bowl
- Dishwashing liquid or bleach-free laundry detergent
- Soft toothbrush
- Soft cloth
Tips
- If the stones in your jewelry are pearls, do not soak it. Instead, dip the toothbrush into the soapy water mixture, scrub the jewelry and wipe it dry with a soft cloth.
- Remove your jewelry before showering or applying hair products to prevent dulling buildup.
References
Resources
Photo Credits
- Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
