Put aside pieces with loose gemstones or embellishments for repair as soon as possible to prevent loss.

Put plain or securely embellished gold jewelry aside to clean.

Mix the water and soap thoroughly.

Gold bracelet and ring in black encased box next to tooth brush and dishwashing liquid

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Avoid cleaning plated gold with vinegar, as well.

An eyebrow brush with soft bristles is another useful tool for cleaning jewelry.

Stiff bristles can scratch the gold.

Supplies and tools laid on white surface for cleaning gold jewelry

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Cotton swabs can also reach into nooks and crannies to eliminate grime.

Rinse and Dry

Remove pieces from soapy water and rinse them with plain water.

Dry pieces one at a time with a soft cotton cloth.

gold-plated jewelry

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Submerge your jewelry, wait five minutes, and wipe away the film using a soft cotton cloth.

Return the jewelry to the soap-and-water solution to soak for 15 minutes, then rinse and dry.

Gold does not tarnish easily like silver, however frequent wearing and handling leaves a dull finish.

Small white bowl with water mixed with dishwashing liquid to clean gold jewelry

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

A jeweler cleans and checks for loose prongs and stone controls.

Many jewelry stores offer simple cleanings at a minimal or no charge.

Avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach or toothpaste as they strip the alloys in gold.

Gold bracelet soaking in cleaning solution in white bowl

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Never use rough applicators like paper towels or brushes with metal bristles to scrub gold jewelry to prevent scratches.

To finish, buff each piece dry with a cotton cloth to make it shiny.

Use vinegar cautiously to clean gold jewelry.

Old toothbrush scrubbing gold bracelet for cleaning

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Jewelry Care.Jewelers of America.

Gold bracelet dried and buffed with white cotton cloth

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska