Easy ways to clean gold jewellery at home without a jeweller

Gold jewellery holds a special place at weddings, household functions and festivals, and even for adorning deities. Gold necklaces, rings, bangles and earrings look beautiful and attractive when worn. But many people wear gold daily, which causes its shine to fade gradually. It is true that gold, unlike silver, does not rust, but constant use turns it dark and lets grime build up on it.

As festivals approach, many households take gold out of bank lockers and carry it to a jeweller to have it cleaned and its shine restored. But jewellery can also be cleaned at home with a few simple methods, without visiting a jeweller.

The first method is using dishwashing soap. Take lukewarm water in a vessel and add liquid dish detergent to it. For better results, a sodium-free seltzer can be used, since the carbon gas in it helps loosen dirt and grime. Then gently scrub the jewellery with a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinse it thoroughly under running water. Finally, dry and wipe the jewellery with a cotton cloth.

The second method is using toothpaste. Mix about an inch of toothpaste with one to two teaspoons of water to make a thin paste. Grime on the jewellery can be gently rubbed off using a cloth or an old brush. Then rinse the jewellery completely under clean water. One thing to always remember is that jewellery should not be left wet after washing, or it may get stained.

The third method uses baking soda and vinegar. In a vessel, mix a quarter cup of baking soda with two tablespoons of lukewarm water to make a paste, taking care that the water is not too hot. Gently rub this paste on the jewellery. Then rinse off the baking soda using vinegar, followed by lukewarm water.

A few things need to be kept in mind while cleaning jewellery. Bleach should never be used to clean gold jewellery, as it can change its colour. Opals are very delicate, so using toothpaste or any cleaner on them should be avoided; wiping with tissue paper is better instead. Gold jewellery should also always be kept separate from other jewellery, which helps prevent it from getting scratched quickly.

Using these simple home remedies, the shine of gold jewellery can be maintained without visiting a jeweller.