How to Clean Gold with Coke

Learn how this fizzy drink can make your gold shine brilliantly, whether you have tarnished jewelry or old collectible coins.

Jane Pardo | Updated January 4, 2024

Coca-Cola, or Coke, is an all-time classic soda we all love. But did you know it’s also an excellent cleaning substitute?

Coke has acidic properties that can effectively remove dirt and stubborn stains on gold.

How to clean gold with Coke

Pour Coca-Cola into a plastic bowl, and submerge your gold jewelry for 10 minutes. Shake the bowl for several seconds to loosen dirt, grime, grease, and tarnish. Scrub away any stubborn stains with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Finally, wash with water and pat dry with a soft cloth.

Leave your gold in the Coke for an hour when cleaning extremely dirty jewelry. Check your gold every 30 minutes to see if it’s clean enough. However, avoid soaking low-quality gold-plated jewelry for too long.
Make sure your bowl is deep enough for complete immersion.

You can use any Coke variety, whether it’s regular or Diet Coke.

Tip: After soaking in Coke, polish your gold jewelry with mild dish soap diluted in warm water for a more attractive shine. Rub it gently with a soft brush or cloth dipped in the soapy solution, and rinse thoroughly with cool water.

How to clean gold jewelry with gemstones

It’s best not to soak jewelry with gemstones as Coke could loosen up the glue holding the stones.

Only soak the metal parts, ensuring the soda doesn’t touch the stones.
For example, you may soak the chain or cord of a necklace. Carefully scrub the pendant, charm, or stone embellishments with a soft brush dipped in a mild soap solution.

Why Coca-Cola works as a cleaning alternative for gold

So how does Cola remove tarnish, stains, and gunk buildup?

Coke is a highly acidic carbonated drink containing phosphoric acid and citric acid. This acidic nature allows it to cut through grime, soap scum, and corrosion. It can also dissolve stubborn dirt and debris stuck in tiny crevices of your gold.

Coke has a pH of around 2.6 to 2.7, similar to white distilled vinegar, which is an outstanding household cleaner.

FAQs

Can I use Coca-Cola to clean fine jewelry?

You can use Coca-Cola to clean fine jewelry as long as you don’t overdo it. Scrub very gently as higher gold karats scratch more easily. It’s best to clean expensive jewelry one at a time to prevent damage from accidental bumps.

Can I use other carbonated sodas if I don’t have Coke?

Yes, you can use any other carbonated brown cola like Pepsi to clean your gold.

Final thoughts

Cola is a cheap and easy-to-use alternative to commercial jewelry cleaners.

Now that you know how to clean gold with Coke, go ahead and grab a can of soda from the fridge to make your accessories shine like new.

Written by Jane Pardo

Jane Pardo is our senior gold & silver expert. Jane lends insight into precious metals investing, collecting, testing, and maintenance.