How to Clean Gold-Plated Jewelry to Renew Its Radiance

Gold-plated accessories, also called fashion jewelry, look just as stunning as solid gold at a fraction of the cost.

But while they are very affordable, gold-plated pieces can tarnish and fade quickly when not cared for and cleaned correctly.

Fortunately, you only need simple household items to deep-clean your favorite accents and make them last a long time.

Read on to discover easy cleaning methods and renew the radiance of your gold-plated jewelry in as fast as 15 minutes.

How to clean gold-plated jewelry

Cleaning tarnished gold-plated jewelry with gemstones

Jewelry with precious and semi-precious gemstones like pearl necklaces or sapphire rings requires extra care.

Avoid using hot water or soaking your jewelry for too long. Doing so could loosen the glue that’s holding the stones.

Add 1 tablespoon of mild dishwashing liquid to a bowl of lukewarm water. Stir until you create a bubbly soap solution. Next, dip a cotton swab into the soapy cleaning solution. Then, carefully clean your jewelry to clear away any dirt and gunk. Finally, wash in a bowl of clean water. Pat dry with a microfiber cloth or polish with a jewelry cloth.

How to maintain your gold-plated jewelry’s eye-catching shimmer

Your favorite accessories won’t lose their lovely sparkle for years if you know how to care for them.

• Wipe down every gold-plated piece with a soft cotton or microfiber cloth after use to remove oil, sweat, dirt, and lotion residue.
• Remove jewelry before taking a shower, going for a swim, or working out. Salty ocean water, chlorine in the pool, and sweat will tarnish your gold-plated jewelry more quickly.
• Store jewelry separately in anti-tarnish pouches. Or wrap every accessory in a soft cloth before putting it away in your fabric-lined jewelry box.
• Wear jewelry only after applying all cosmetics and skin care products, including lotions, sunscreens, hairspray, and makeup.
• Deep-clean your gold-plated jewelry once in one to two weeks, depending on how often you wear it. Avoid cleaning it daily, which could strip away the outer plating and do more harm than good.
• When using a commercial jewelry cleaner, choose one that’s safe for gold-plated jewelry. Strong jewelry cleaners designed for solid gold can be harsh on plated gold.

Final thoughts

Now that you know how to restore gold-plated jewelry, you can make your accessories sparkly clean whenever they get dull.

Bring well-loved pieces with sentimental value to a jeweler for professional cleaning if DIY methods don’t work. Replating may be necessary if the gold plating is too worn and the base metal is exposed.