How to Properly Clean Your Gold Chains

When it comes to cleaning jewelry, there are many different methods. When the pandemic was at its worst, however, we were constrained from leaving our houses and seeking assistance from others, so we were forced to rely on DIY cleaning methods and at-home remedies. How many of the things posted on the internet today work?

Thehomemade jewelry cleaners you use could potentially damage your favorite jewelry.  We’ve all heard of procedures using ingredients such as baking soda, salt, witch hazel, and vinegar. Although they are helpful when we clean the rest of our house, they can have effects when we use them to clean our jewelry. Witch hazel and vinegar are acidic and won’t do well with porous stones and plated jewelry. Baking soda is also abrasive that could scratch soft stones and metals.

But what about your belovedgold chains? First and foremost, if you are one of the people living an active lifestyle, you might want to consider getting lesser purity gold. Given that gold is a soft metal, it can get damaged easily by being scratched and bent. 

Keep reading as we uncover everything you need to know about gold chain and jewelry care. 

Cleaning Gold Chains at Home

Pure gold does not tarnish, but most gold jewelry, especially chains, is not made of malleable pure gold. They are combined with other metals, which tragically causes gold to tarnish (depending on how much is added). Here are a few methods for thoroughly cleaning your chains without damaging the object.

1. Warm water and soap

This one might seem pretty obvious, but sometimes the simple ones work best in most situations. If you want to steer clear of a type of soap with unknown ingredients, go for the mild liquid soap and add them to a container with warm water. Soak your gold chains in this mixture for a few minutes, then gently rub through them to take off those tarnishes. Use a new soft-bristled toothbrush to reach some unreachable areas in the chain. An old toothbrush might seem an environment-friendly option, but remnants of the toothpaste could be bad for the chain. So, keep that in mind. But if you don’t want to buy a new toothbrush, you may also use a very soft cloth to clean it down. Lastly, rinse the chain briefly under cool running water and pat dry with a dry and soft cloth.

2. Boil Your Gold

Yes, you heard it right. As weird as it sounds, usingboiling water to clean gold chains is an effective way to remove pollutants such as oils, grease, and wax. They tend to float and separate themselves from the jewelry piece. However, if you are worried that it might damage your gold chains during the process, take note that it is solid gold. It can handle boiling water well and is not at all harmful.

To do this, first, bring water to a boil. Put the gold chain together with the boiling water in a safe container (preferably a metal or glass container) and cover it until the water cools down and is safe to handle. Rinse your gold chain and pat it dry using a soft cloth.

3. Ultrasonic Cleaner

Sometimes warm water and soap won’t be enough for some jewelry that you own. You can restore the shine of your gold chain by using anultrasonic cleaner. It is currently being manufactured as a smaller machine that you can use at home and is also one of the machines jeweler uses. It emits high-frequency sound waves that cause bubbles and ultrasonic vibrations in the water when you put water inside. To ensure that the machine can remove impurities that adhere to your gold chain, you need to make sure the compartment does not pack with jewelry.

4. Polishing

It is not a one-step procedure but something to do after either washing with warm water and soap or using the ultrasonic cleaner. It is a vital process that people sometimes neglect doing. After washing and drying your jewelry, grab a clean and soft cloth and start in circular motions on your chain. This motion is the best way to polish as it avoids the visible pattern it can have on your jewelry. Finally, store it in a dry jewelry box with velvet lining away from moisture to prevent tarnish.

5. Give your jeweler a quick visit

Remember that the above procedures are best for your gold chains and other gold jewelry but not all types of jewelry will be safe to soak under water or other cleaning solutions. Let’s take, for example, your gold jewelry with natural emeralds, pearls, or opals where soaking can cause permanent damage. Meanwhile, coral, bone, and wood are the absorbent kind that water and other solutions can cause permanent discoloration and damage.

If you are doubtful, you must consult with your jeweler because they often know the best thing to do. There’s no better alternative than a quick visit to your jeweler for a professional cleaning.