Gold has been used to manufacture a wealth (pun intended!) of items for thousands of years, and of course it’s one of the most popular metals for crafting jewelry. Any object made of gold will eventually need to be cleaned due to a build-up of toxins in the air, but gold jewelry especially needs periodic cleanings, since it’s often worn frequently and exposed to skin oils and residue from products such as soap, lotion, makeup, and hairspray. Even though gold does not tarnish the way silver and copper do, the natural accumulation of contaminants over time will eventually affect the way your gold objects appear. Cleaning fine metals is an important part of Austin house cleaning, so follow along with this article to learn what to do!
Many jewelers offer gold cleaning services, but you really only need to take advantage of these if your jewelry is seriously dirty, scratched, or structurally damaged. There are also many commerical jewelry cleaners available in stores, but it’s generally simpler and cheaper to clean your gold with products you already have around the house.
To begin with, combine a few drops of a gentle liquid dish soap and some warm water in a bowl. Give the mixture a gentle stir to make sure the soap really combines with the water and doesn’t just hang out in a clump at the bottom of the bowl. Then soak your gold object in the soap-and-water solution for at least fifteen minutes – unless you’re cleaning an item with glued-on stones, in which case you’ll want to soak it for a shorter time and keep a really close eye on those stones, as water and soap can damage the hold of certain types of glue. The simple solution of soap and water will help loosen oils and break down dirt and other grime that have become affixed to your gold.
After a good soak, use a soft brush to scrub the gold. There are specially designed brushes for cleaning jewelry that you can purchase, or you can use an eyebrow brush or a toothbrush with soft bristles. Make to run the brush over the entire piece of gold, and spend some extra time scrubbing any details or crevices, such as stone settings and engraved words or images.
Once you’re confident you’ve gotten the object really clean, rinse it in warm water from the sink in order to remove any soap scum, which can make gold appear dull. If there’s any chance at all that you could accidentally drop your valuable item down the drain, use a mesh strainer or a collander with small holes to hold the item as you rinse it. When you’re finished rinsing, buff the piece of gold with a clean, soft cloth to remove any water spots.
Your gold object is now ready to wear or display! Austin home cleaning is so often cheaper, greener, and simpler than most people think, and obviously cleaning gold can be as well! For all your home cleaning needs in the Austin area, turn to It’s Cleaning Time to provide efficient, excellent service.
