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.

Step 4

Scrub the jewelry gently with a soft toothbrush. Rinse it under warm running water and lay it on a towel to dry.

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.