How to clean gold at home - instructions for use
Gold jewelry is an essential companion for any woman. But most often the purchased product is worn without interruption for several years. Over time, a gold ring or chain may become tarnished or stained. In this regard, there is an urgent need to clean the gold at home. This article will discuss the most effective methods.
Do I need to clean gold jewelry?
Gold possesses the strongest natural properties and is characterized by increased strength. But gold jewelry is not only made of gold. Usually the manufacturer adds impurities from silver, copper and other metals. Due to the combination of alloys, it is possible to achieve the required hardness for the decoration.
For your information: Products made of gold of the highest standard are deformed under the influence of mechanical stress. That is why such ingots cannot be found in jewelry workshops.
Aging reasons for gold items:
- Gold and alloys are hard. But at the same time, jewelry is subject to aging and dullness. An oxidizing film on gold jewelry turns the item into an antique, even if the item was purchased very recently.
- The contact of jewelry with our body provokes the secretion of subcutaneous fat. The sebaceous glands work like a clock, and in the summer a person sweats many times more. This is another reason for the rapid aging of gold jewelry.
- Women love to look pretty. At first glance, a completely harmless skin cream turns into the gem's worst enemy. Decorative cosmetics make gold jewelry very old.
- Urban conditions are characterized by increased air pollution. Dust settling on accessories is deposited in the corners of the jewelry. After a while, the owner will need cleaning.
Chemical methods
Jewelry salons provide gold refining services. But if you do not have the opportunity to contact specialists, then you can safely purify the gold, for example, at home:
- Ammonia.
The ammonia solution cleans and degreases the yellow gold surface. The recommended rate of ammonia is 5 ml or 1 teaspoon. You can buy the product at a modern pharmacy.
How to use: boil 200 ml of pure water, and then dilute it with detergent and alcohol. Wait until it dissolves, then dip the gold jewelry into the glass. In time, cleaning the product in ammonia will take no more than 2 hours.
Attention: Cleaning gold with ammonia is contraindicated for gold jewelry inlaid with stones. We will talk about cleaning jewelry in the final section of our article.
- Brine.
Salt is a versatile solvent and cleaner. The substance can be found in the bins of any housewife. So, if there is nothing at hand but salt, do not despair - gold is also purified with the help of a saline solution.
Directions for use: Take 3 tablespoons of table salt and 0.5 cups of warm water. Stir the solution and place the gold jewelry in it for 8 hours. The final result will be a complete cleaning of the product from plaque and dust.
- Foil.
Foil Gold Cleaner is another effective way to craft jewelry at home. Prepare metal foil, baking soda, and water.
How to use: Take 50 gr. baking soda and dissolve in 0.5 liters of hot water. Prepare a deep-bottomed container by placing metal foil on top of it. Fill the container with the prepared solution of soda and water. Lower the gold to the very bottom of the container. It is advisable to carry out the procedure at night, and in the morning rinse the product under the tap and wipe with a soft cloth.
- Detergent.
If you want to quickly clean gold at home, then there is nothing better than dishwashing detergent. At the same time, you do not need to prepare any other solutions - only a detergent will help us.
How to use: Fill a glass with cold water, then dissolve 1 teaspoon of the detergent composition in it. After dissolving the chemical solution in water, pour it into a metal container. Dip the gold to the bottom and then place the container on the stove. Set the heat to medium and boil water for 10 minutes. Refrigerate the gold piece and dry it with a towel.
- Lens cleaner.
Another interesting way to clean gold at home is with a chemical lens fluid.
Directions for use: Purchase from an optician or pharmacy. Pour it into a standard container and lower the gold piece to the bottom. Upon completion of the procedure, your jewelry will acquire the long-awaited shine.
Mechanical methods
Note that chemical methods of gold refining do not always help. In some cases, it is reasonable to use mechanical gold refining:
- Onion.
Peeling with onions will not work for all gold jewelry wearers. It's all about the notorious smell. But you can get rid of it by thoroughly washing the jewelry. Over time, the amber will disappear, and the ring will shine with a golden sheen.
Directions for use: Using a fine grater, grate the onion until it becomes mushy. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth, removing excess liquid. Put the gruel in a spacious container, and then place the gold jewelry there. The bow removes dullness and impurities on the sides. At the end of the procedure, you just have to remove the jewelry from the gruel and rinse it under the tap. If any dirt remains on the jewelry, remove it with a cotton swab.
- Lipstick.
The tool perfectly replaces the well-known Goi paste and is suitable for cleaning gold in a short time.
Method of application: Lipstick of any color and purpose is suitable. In the beauty bag of a fashionista, you will definitely find a personal hygiene product. Well, if you don't want to use a new lipstick, then take an old sample. Apply lipstick to the gold jewelry, then wipe the surface with a soft cloth. There will be no trace of the former pollution!
- Beer + egg.
Want to clean your gold ring and only have a can of beer and a couple of eggs in the fridge? There is nothing easier than performing a procedure with egg white and found alcohol.
Directions for use: Take a couple of egg whites and 2 tablespoons of beer drink. Mix them into a common consistency, then dip a soft cloth in the liquid. You just have to walk on the gold jewelry from all sides, removing dull spots and blackening.
- Vinegar.
Vinegar is an everyday ingredient for any housewife. But few people know that the solution can cleanse gold at home without the risk of damaging the product.
How to use: Apply a little vinegar to a cotton pad and then treat the gold surface. Vinegar gives the decoration its former shine, so much so that you are unlikely to find traces of yesterday's nondescriptness!
- Powder for cleaning teeth.
Home cleaning gold jewelry with tooth powder is a modern and safe mechanical procedure.
Caution: Do not use bleaching powder. A remedy that is too strong will give the gold a dull effect.
Cleaning gold at home with stones
Gold items with inlays belong to the category of particularly fragile jewelry. When cleaning, it is important not to damage the precious stones, otherwise the jewelry will lose its attractiveness. Here are some effective ways to cleanse gold with stones:
- Ear sticks + cologne.
This method is suitable for cleaning rings, signet rings or earrings. Unlike sharp objects, cotton swabs do not scrape off gold deposits. The alcohol in the cologne removes all impurities.
- Solution with alcohol.
Dip the gold piece of jewelry in an alcohol-containing solution. After processing, the product is washed in clean water and wiped off with a towel.
Caution: Be careful when cleaning gold jewelry with stones glued on. Alcohol tends to rip up jewelry, so this won't work.
- Washing powder.
Take a laundry detergent like Tide. Place the gold in a bowl of powder, then carefully walk over the surface of the stones.
- Ammonia.
Take a glass of water and dilute 6 drops of ammonia in it. Dip the diamond jewelry in the solution and wait for 30 minutes. The final touch will be the rinsing of the gold under the tap.
- Shampoo.
Gold jewelry with pearls requires special care. Therefore, we only clean gold at home in this way: take a brush with a soft bristle. Dip it in a solution of shampoo and water. Wipe each pearl with this product, then rinse the product with water.
Note: Jewelry made of gold with pearls do not tolerate acetic acid. the solution eats away at the precious stones.
Cleaning gold accessories at home is a responsible task, but not at all difficult. So, if you have the time and tools at hand, then do not be lazy to take care of the gold jewelry. In the future, it will repay you with the same coin, winking with its brilliance and charm!