How to clean gold and restore its shine so as not to spoil the product

There are different types of alloys of gold with more other metals. Some are harder, others are softer. On soft alloys, micro-scratches appear faster, due to which the product tarnishes.

Why do jewelry fade?

There are four more reasons why jewelry loses its presentable appearance.

1. Natural secretions of a person. The body secretes sebum and sweat. The secret adversely affects jewelry.
2. Cosmetical tools. Do you use creams, decorative cosmetics? Keep items made of gold or gilding away from contact with such substances - they age jewelry.
3. Detergents. Cleaning powders and whiteness are especially detrimental to rings and bracelets.
4. Dust and dirt. City and household dust clogs into the corners of jewelry, making them dirty and unsightly.

Types of stains and 3 solutions to the problem

Gold is a delicate metal and can be easily scratched. Stained jewelry also looks unaesthetic. Most often, products have to be washed:

• from blackness;
• from darkening;
• from traces of soot;
• from inclusions of dirt;
• from fatty deposits.

Whatever problem arises, you can use one of three cleaning options.

1. Professional. The jeweler will help restore the gold to its original luster and clean it with the help of modern, gentle ultrasonic technologies.
2. Homemade with the use of folk remedies. Washing gold at home to make it shine is not an easy task. But feasible. Various recipes and "grandmother's advice" are used: vinegar, foil, toothpaste and others.
3. Homemade with the use of special tools. Jewelry stores sell special solutions, wipes and creams for cleaning gold at home. With it, all pollution disappears without additional efforts and devices. You can also purchase a compact home ultrasonic bath for cleaning precious metals and jewelry.

How to clean gold: 12 folk methods

There are 12 popular ways to clean gold. When choosing the right one, remember that jewelry should not be rubbed with effort. Also, dry soda, sugar and loose celandine are not used. Fine abrasives may scratch the product. Use brushes with soft bristles only.

1. Soap solution. Mix a tablespoon of shampoo in a glass of warm water. Place the product in the solution. Wait two hours. During this time, all impurities will dissolve. To enhance the effect, go over problem areas with an old toothbrush. But remember that the bristles should be soft.
2. Toothpaste. Cleaning with toothpaste is the most common. Apply some paste and clean the gold. If cleaning the chain, distribute the contents of the tube at once along the entire length, then wipe it back and forth with a soft cloth. According to reviews, this is the most effective way.
3. Petrolatum. Take in the same proportions: powdered chalk, soap shavings, petroleum jelly, water. Mix chalk and soap, then add petroleum jelly. Gradually add water to bring the mixture to a paste. Application: lubricate and wipe.
4. Lipstick. From dark spots on gold and gilding products, titanium dioxide, which is contained in women's lipstick, will help. Take a colorless lipstick and apply to cotton wool or cloth. Wipe the decoration. Lipstick will also help buff the gold from scratches.
5. Vinegar with onion. To remove dark spots, wipe the product with a mixture of grated onion and vinegar (1: 1).
6. Sugar. Mix two teaspoons of sugar in a glass of water. Soak the gold for at least six hours.
7. Salt. Leave the jewelry in a solution of a glass of water and three tablespoons of salt for a day.
8. Soda with foil. Place foil on the bottom of an enameled dish and pour half a glass of water. Add two teaspoons of baking soda. A chemical process known as ion exchange will begin. In this way, you can clean not only gold, but also silver. Place the items in the solution. Keep at least ten hours.
9. Egg and beer. Whisk beer with egg white. Wipe the decoration with the mixture.
10. Liquid for lenses. Soak all decorations in liquid for three minutes.
11. Hyposulfite. The substance that photographers use will help get rid of iodine stains.
12. Lemon. Squeeze out the lemon juice and wipe the problem areas.

When you decide how to clean gold, prepare not only the ingredients and inventory from the recipe. You should have a dry and soft cotton napkin handy. After the procedure, the gold should be washed in clean water and wiped dry. Do not wear products immediately after cleaning.

3 recipes with ammonia

Not a single first-aid kit can do without ammonia. With it, you can add shine not only to glass and mirrors, but also to gold. There are three recipes for cleaning gold at home with ammonia.

• Option number 1. One small spoonful of alcohol per glass of water. Dampen a cloth or cotton and wipe the jewelry. Wash everything with soapy water, then - plain.
• Option number 2. Make a paste of crushed chalk (talc) and ammonia. Apply as in the previous method.
• Option number 3. Mix ammonia (a teaspoon), liquid soap (half a teaspoon), warm water (a glass) and hydrogen peroxide (30 ml). Dip the earrings or ring in the solution for ten minutes.

Ammonia is a powerful cleaner, but it has a pungent odor, so use in a well-ventilated area. They do well to do a "deep cleaning", but not often. Ammonia can damage some materials, so this method is not suitable for cleaning earrings or rings containing platinum, stones or pearls.

If there are inserts

Stone inserts on jewelry will not tolerate rough treatment. They are easy to scratch, make dull. Know that stones do not like water. Those parts of the jewelry where the insert is attached should not be “soaked”. Especially if the stones are glued. Otherwise, valuable minerals will simply fall out. There are two ways to clean gold with stones:

• alcohol - wipe products (for example, with cubic zirkonia) with a soft cloth or cotton pad;
• soapy water- process carefully and quickly, and then it is important to dry well.

Diamonds are cleaned no more than once a month. And it is still desirable to entrust such products to a jeweler. And to clean white gold with diamonds at home, special purchased solutions or ammonia will help. Remember, stones such as opal, pearls, turquoise and amber do not tolerate a humid environment.

5 rules for wearing

Caring for gold jewelry is easy. By adhering to the following five tips, you can increase the interval between cleanings and keep your expensive look for a long time.

1. Remove before cleaning. Homework or renovations and decorations don't go together. Even when washing dishes, take them off or wear gloves.
2. Avoid contact with cosmetics. Cosmetics adversely affect the appearance of products. When applying creams, gels, perfume, do not let them come into contact with gold.
3. Protect from sunlight. The rays of the sun are ways to change the light of the metal. Therefore, protect gold from such contact. A box is suitable for storage, but note that cardboard boxes contribute to the appearance of stains. Best of all - a tree sheathed inside with a polishing material.
4. Keep away from temperature fluctuations. Jumps in the thermometer column and changes in humidity indicators have a bad effect on the condition of the jewelry.
5. Shoot at night. And be sure to wipe after each wear with a soft cloth.

Do not take seriously the advice to clean gold with Coca-Cola or other sodas - they are harmful not only to the stomach, but also to precious metals.

Don't put off cleaning your gold at home. Proper care and respect will extend the life of your jewelry.