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How to Clean Gold Jewellery at Home Without Damaging It

“Most gold doesn't need a hack. It needs warm water, a drop of washing-up liquid and a little patience. The damage usually comes from people trying too hard.”Her take

Find out what your gold is

Look for a UK hallmark, usually inside a ring band or near a clasp. A full hallmark has a sponsor's mark, an assay office mark and a fineness number that gives the gold content in parts per thousand: 375 is 9 carat, 585 is 14 carat, 750 is 18 carat and 916 is 22 carat. A gold hallmark means an assay office has tested the piece as gold alloy, not a coating, so it tolerates gentle washing well.

No hallmark doesn't always mean fake: gold pieces under 1 gram don't legally need one, and a simple '14K' stamp isn't the same as a hallmark. But if a piece is sold as plated, gold-filled or vermeil, or a gold-coloured piece carries a silver mark such as 925, it has a layer of gold over another metal. That layer can rub off with scrubbing or harsh products, so it needs a lighter touch. If in doubt, treat it as plated.

The basic method for solid gold

This works for plain gold rings, chains, bangles and earrings, and for gold set with hard stones such as diamonds.

• Fill a small bowl with warm, not hot, water and add a few drops of mild washing-up liquid.
• Work over the bowl, never over an open sink drain.
• Soak for 15 to 20 minutes to loosen skin oil, lotion and dirt.
• Brush gently with a soft baby toothbrush, paying attention to links, the backs of settings and engraved areas.
• Rinse in clean warm water.
• Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth and let it air-dry fully before storing.

Plated, gold-filled and vermeil pieces

Skip the long soak and the brush. Dip a soft cloth in warm water with a drop of washing-up liquid, wipe the piece gently, wipe again with a cloth dampened in clean water, and dry immediately. Avoid polishing cloths with abrasives, baking soda pastes and any scrubbing; each removes a little of the gold layer.

To make plating last, put these pieces on after perfume, hairspray and moisturiser, and take them off for swimming, showers and the gym.

Gold with stones and pearls

Diamonds and sapphires are hard and tolerate the basic method; a gentle brush behind the stone, where grease builds up, makes them sparkle again. Emeralds are often treated with oil and can be damaged by long soaking or heat, so wipe rather than soak.

Pearls, opals, turquoise, coral and amber are porous or soft. Don't soak them. Wipe them with a soft damp cloth and dry them flat. Pieces with glued-in stones should also be wiped, not soaked, as water can loosen the glue.

While you're cleaning, check that stones don't move when you press them gently and that claws aren't bent or snagging. If anything is loose, take it to a jeweller before you wear it again.

What not to use

Some popular home hacks do more harm than good.

• Toothpaste: abrasive, and it can leave fine scratches, especially on softer high-carat gold.
• Baking soda pastes: also abrasive; avoid on plated pieces and polished surfaces.
• Bleach and chlorine: can damage gold alloys over time. Take jewellery off before cleaning the bathroom or swimming.
• Boiling water: can crack some stones and loosen glued settings.
• Paper towels and tissues: can scratch soft gold; use a lint-free cloth.

How often to clean gold, and when to see a jeweller

Pieces you wear every day, such as a wedding band or everyday chain, benefit from the basic soak every couple of weeks. Occasional pieces need cleaning only when they look dull.

Home cleaning removes grime, but it won't remove deep scratches or restore a high shine. A jeweller can polish solid gold, check settings and, for white gold, replate the rhodium layer when it starts to look yellowish. Ask before using an ultrasonic cleaner at home: the vibration can loosen stones, and they aren't suitable for emeralds, pearls, opals or glued pieces.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Check the hallmark, soak solid gold in warm soapy water and brush gently, only wipe plated pieces, and keep toothpaste and bleach well away.

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