Download Article
Download Article
Baking soda is a natural and environmentally friendly way to clean your gold. You can use a baking soda-vinegar or a baking soda-dish soap solution to clean your gold pieces. You can also use baking soda and boiling water to clean your gold. Simply line a glass bowl with tin foil, then add your gold and baking soda. Pour boiling water into the boil and let it sit 3–5 minutes before rinsing and drying off your gold. If your gold contains pearls, avoid cleaning it with baking soda.
Cleaning Gold Jewelry with Baking Soda & Hot Water
- Line a glass bowl with aluminum foil and place your gold inside it.
- Cover the gold with baking soda.
- Pour boiling water over the gold and let it soak for 3–5 minutes.
- Rinse and dry the gold completely.
Steps
-
Mix three parts baking soda to one part water. Mix the ingredients together until a thick paste forms. The paste should have a toothpaste-like consistency.
-
Apply the paste with a cotton swab. You can also use a sponge to apply the paste. Cover the entire piece of gold with the paste. Then place the piece of gold in a small plastic cup or container.Advertisement
-
Pour vinegar over the gold. Use distilled white vinegar. The gold should be completely submerged in the vinegar. Let the gold set in the vinegar for five minutes.
-
Rinse and dry the gold. Place the gold under warm running water. Rinse the gold thoroughly until the baking soda-vinegar solution is removed. Use a soft cloth to dry your pieces of gold.
- If the gold is still dirty, then repeat steps one through four, or use a different method. Also, try to avoid scrubbing the gold with a toothbrush to clean it; you may accidentally scratch it by scrubbing it with baking soda and a toothbrush.
- Do not use this method for pieces of gold that contain pearls and gemstones. The combination of baking soda and vinegar may damage them.
-
Combine warm water, dish soap, and baking soda in a bowl. Use one cup (236.6 ml) of water, a teaspoon (4.93 ml) of dish soap and a teaspoon of baking soda. Mix the ingredients together until they are well-combined and the baking soda is dissolved. [1] X Research source
- If this does not make enough solution, then just double or triple the recipe.
-
Place the gold in the solution. Make sure the gold is fully submerged in the solution. Let the gold set in the solution for 20 to 30 minutes. [2] X Research source
-
Gently scrub the gold. Use a new (or unused) soft bristled toothbrush to do this. Scrub the gold with the toothbrush until all of the built-up dirt and grime are removed. [3] X Research source
- Only scrub the gold if the solution did not remove the built-up dirt and grime.
- Avoid scrubbing your gold too hard; you may scratch the gold by scrubbing it too hard.
-
Rinse and dry the gold. Place your gold under warm running water. Rinse the gold thoroughly until all of the solution is removed. Use a soft cloth to dry the gold thoroughly until all the water is removed. [4] X Research source
- This method is safe to use on gold pieces that contain diamonds.
- This method is not safe for gold that contains pearls.
-
Line a glass bowl with aluminum foil. Make sure the shiny side is facing up. If you have more than two pieces of gold, then line a flat surface, like a glass pan or a cookie sheet, with foil. This way you can ensure that each piece of gold is touching the foil. [5] X Research source
-
Cover the gold with baking soda. Place the gold in the bowl (or pan), making sure each piece of gold is touching the foil. Sprinkle an adequate amount of baking soda onto the gold pieces until they are completely covered. You should not be able to see the gold pieces. [6] X Research source
-
Pour boiling water over the gold. Heat one to two cups (240 to 480 ml) of water in the microwave for one to two minutes, or until it is boiling. Then pour the boiling water over the gold until it is completely submerged. Let the jewelry soak for three to five minutes. [7] X Research source
- Alternatively, you can use your stove to heat the water (about eight to ten minutes on a high heat setting).
-
Rinse and dry. After your gold has finished soaking, use tongs to remove the gold from the water. Rinse the gold thoroughly under cold running water. Then dry it with a soft cloth until all the water is removed from the gold. [8] X Research source
- Do not use this method if your gold contains glued on crystals or pearls. The boiling water can unglue the crystals and damage the pearls.
- This method is safe for gold that contains gemstones, unless the gemstones are glued on.
Common Questions: Cleaning Gold Safely
How do you clean tarnish off gold?
Clean the gold with baking soda and boiling water first. Then, after it cools slightly, scrub the gold with a soft brush and a squirt of dish soap (optional) under running water to remove the last traces of tarnish and restore the shine to your gold. [9] X Research source
Does hydrogen peroxide clean gold?
Yes, but it’s important to dilute the peroxide first so it doesn’t damage your jewelry. Try a mixture of a bowl of warm water, a few drops of dish soap, and 1 tbsp (15 mL) of peroxide. Soak your gold for 15–20 minutes, then brush lightly and rinse. [10] X Research source
Can baking soda scratch gold?
Baking soda is abrasive, so there is a slight risk it could scratch soft golds and other fine or delicate pieces of jewelry. While it’s typically fine to use in a cleaning mixture, avoid scrubbing jewelry or gold harshly with dry baking soda.
Video
Tips
References
- ↑ http://cleanmyspace.com/clean-your-diamond-ring/
- ↑ http://cleanmyspace.com/clean-your-diamond-ring/
- ↑ http://cleanmyspace.com/clean-your-diamond-ring/
- ↑ http://cleanmyspace.com/clean-your-diamond-ring/
- ↑ http://www.classyclutter.net/2011/08/magic-homemade-jewelry-cleaner/
- ↑ http://www.classyclutter.net/2011/08/magic-homemade-jewelry-cleaner/
- ↑ http://www.classyclutter.net/2011/08/magic-homemade-jewelry-cleaner/
- ↑ http://www.classyclutter.net/2011/08/magic-homemade-jewelry-cleaner/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/VfiR5h5GnmI?t=67
About This Article
If your gold jewelry doesn't have pearls or gemstones, you can safely clean it with vinegar and baking soda. To make a simple cleaning paste, first, mix together 3 parts baking soda and one part water. Use a cotton swab or sponge to apply the paste to the jewelry. Once it's coated, soak the jewelry in a cup of vinegar for 5 minutes. Then, rinse it under warm running water, which should remove any dirt or grime. If it's not totally clean, you can repeat this process again. After rinsing it, dry the jewelry with a soft cloth to prevent scratches. To learn how to clean your gold with dish soap, read on!
Reader Success Stories
- "I have long-stored inherited jewelry which just seems darker. I'm hoping the baking soda method will work to restore it to bright and shiny. Thanks for listing several methods!" ..." more
