Read the soap’s label before you use it to make sure that it’s free of phosphates, which tend to be too abrasive for gold.
If you happen to be cleaning jewelry with stones that are glued into it, you may run the risk of dissolving the glue if you leave your jewelry submerged for more than a few minutes.
A toothbrush is excellent for reaching small crevices or openings in your gold, but you can also use a standard soft-bristle brush. Do not clean your gold jewelry with anything abrasive, including paper towels. Gold can scratch very easily. Instead, use a soft cloth like a T-shirt or a dish cloth. [3] X Expert Source Nicole WegmanJewelry Professional & Founder of Ring Concierge Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.
The residue left by soap will make gold look dirty if you don’t remove it.
Water spots will stick around if you don’t wipe them by hand. Store gold jewelry in a jewelry container after you’re done.
This method will not work with jewelry that has gemstones embedded in it, since baking soda can damage the quality of the stone. [4] X Research source
The aluminum foil should be flush against the bottom and sides of your glass dish, with the shiny side of the foil facing up. You’ll want to use a glass baking dish since it can easily handle the heat from the boiling water.
You don’t need to mix anything. The aluminum foil will help the baking soda and water react, and will mix them automatically.
If you’re using a fork to lift jewelry, scoop the teeth underneath any chains to avoid scratching or knotting it.
You should let your gold continue to air dry for 5-10 minutes before storing it in a container.
Ammonia can irritate skin, so you’ll need to wear rubber gloves to complete this cleaning process. [7] X Research source
If you can’t open a window or do this in a well-ventilated space, consider wearing a dust mask to keep dangerous fumes out of your lungs.
Be sure to fully submerge the gold item in the ammonia mixture.
Make sure that you keep your rubber gloves on while handling the gold.
You can also stuff your sink drain with a thick towel if you don’t have a colander or strainer.
Wash materials even if you plan on throwing them in the dishwasher. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
