How to Restore Gold Plated Jewelry at Home
Gold-plated jewelry is appealing, giving a look of solid gold at an affordable price. Like its affordable price, it’s also affordable to restore its shine in case it gets tarnished. If you are someone who loves wearing gold-plated jewelry, then you must know that it tarnishes quickly. Learning how to restore gold plated jewelry at home becomes essential to maintain its original shine and luster without damaging it.
It’s very common that gold plated jewelry fades with frequent use or due to other reasons. But not to worry about it now…
In this guide, we will uncover some of the best ways on how to restore gold plated jewelry at home and precautions to take for gold plated jewelry.
What Causes Gold Plated Jewelry to Fade?
The layer of gold on plated jewelry is thinner as compared to the solid gold so which is why it has more chances to fade easily. Gold-plated jewelry fades or gets tarnished over time due to several reasons, including:
- The oxidation process that happens when gold is exposed to air and light, and hence causes discoloration.
- Lotions, moisturizers, skin care products, and perfumes that we apply to the body react with the layer of the gold jewelry and cause it to fade.
- Body sweat also causes discoloration of gold-plated jewelry.
- Frequent exposure of gold plated jewelry with water also becomes the reason for jewelry getting tarnished over time.
- Daily use wears down the gold coating and it loses its shine.
How to Restore Gold Plated Jewelry at Home
Here are some of the best methods that you can try to restore the gold-plated jewelry at home. These remedies involve the use of simple products that are available in every home.
Let’s now have a look at how to restore gold plated jewelry at home:
Method 1: Use Dish Soap & Warm Water
The first method in how to restore gold plated jewelry at home is to use dish soap and warm water. This method works best for removing light dirt without damaging the gold plating and helps to restore the shine of the gold.
What You Need
- Dish Soap
- Warm Water
- Bowl
- Cleaning Cloth
- Microfiber Cloth
Steps
- Make a solution by mixing a few drops of dishwashing liquid soap with warm water in a bowl.
- Now, put the jewelry in the dish of soap and water solution.
- Soak the jewelry in the solution for 10-15 minutes.
- Then take the jewelry out of the solution and wipe it with the help of a cleaning cloth.
- Take lukewarm water, and microfiber cloth, and clean the jewelry and let it dry completely.
Method 2: Use Baking Soda & Warm Water
The second method for how to restore gold plated jewelry at home is to use baking soda and water. Baking soda is an ideal cleaning ingredient for restoring gold plated jewelry because of the fine abrasive particles present in it.
What You Need
- Baking Soda
- Warm Water
- Microfiber Cloth
Steps
- Mix baking soda with a few drops of water to create a thick paste.
- Then take your gold jewelry and apply this paste over it with the help of your fingers.
- Leave the jewelry with the paste on it for 15 minutes.
- After that, remove the paste from the jewelry.
- Then, clean the jewelry with lukewarm water to ensure that the baking soda is completely removed from the jewelry.
- Dry the jewelry completely by using a microfiber cloth.
Method 3: Use Baking Soda & Aluminum Foil
The third method for how to restore gold plated jewelry at home is to use baking soda, salt, and aluminum foil. This method works best for deep cleaning the gold-plated jewelry. It effectively removes the dullness and restores the gold shine.
What You Need
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Aluminum Foil
- Hot Water
- Glass Bowl
- Spoon
- Cleaning Cloth
- Microfiber Cloth
Steps
- Take a glass bowl and cover its inner side with aluminum foil by keeping the shiny side up.
- Then take 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of salt and add them to the bowl.
- Add hot water (enough to fill the bowl completely) in the bowl and stir it well with the help of a spoon to dissolve the baking soda and salt.
- Put the gold jewelry in the solution and leave it as it is for 5-10 minutes.
- Then take the jewelry out of the solution and wipe it with the help of a cleaning cloth.
- Take lukewarm water, and microfiber cloth, and clean the jewelry and let it dry completely.
Use hot water and not boiling water, when trying this method.
Method 4: Use Dish Soap & Cornstarch
The fourth method in how to restore gold plated jewelry at home is to use dish soap and cornstarch. This method works best for delicate gold jewelry that can not withstand harsh chemicals.
What You Need
- Dish Soap
- Cornstarch
- Luke Warm Water
- Cleaning Cloth
- Microfiber Cloth
Steps
- Mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid soap with cornstarch to create a thick paste.
- Apply the paste on the jewelry with the help of your fingers and leave it for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove the paste from the jewelry.
- Then, clean the jewelry with lukewarm water to ensure that no cornstarch remains on the jewelry.
- Dry the jewelry with the help of a microfiber cloth.
When Not to Restore Gold Plated Jewelry at Home?
When learning how to restore gold plated jewelry at home, it’s important to know when to restore the jewelry at home and when you need professional assistance.
The above home remedies can easily restore the gold-plated jewelry at home. But remember one thing, if your gold plated jewelry has deep discoloration that exposes the metal base, then you should not try to restore it at home and consult a professional gold plated jewelry restoration. Professionals use specialized techniques like ultrasonic cleaning or replating that can effectively restore the jewelry in cases when it is deeply tarnished.
Precautions to Take For Gold Plated Jewelry
Gold-plated jewelry should be taken care of as real gold jewelry. While learning how to restore gold plated jewelry at home, it is equally important to learn about the precautions for gold plated jewelry.
- Avoid the use of harsh chemicals like bleach or acetone when cleaning the gold-plated jewelry, as these chemicals can damage the layer of gold.
- Do not use toothpaste to restore the gold-plated jewelry, as it is too abrasive and can scratch the surface.
- Do not scrub harshly or with a brush when cleaning, as the gold layer can easily wear down.
- If your gold plated jewelry contains glued stones, then avoid its frequent contact with water, as the moisture can loosen the adhesive and stones can fall out.
- When applying lotion or moisturizer, let it dry completely and then wear the gold plated jewelry.
- Do not leave the gold plated jewelry; always put it in the box so that it does not come in contact with air when not wearing.
- Take off the gold-plated jewelry when taking a shower or while swimming to maintain its shine.
- Make it a habit of cleaning the gold-plated jewelry even if it’s not tarnished.
Restoring gold-plated jewelry at home is no longer a difficult task, as now you have this easy guide on how to restore gold plated jewelry at home. Be it the use of dish soap, baking soda, or cornstarch, all remedies work wonders to restore gold plated jewelry for its wonderful shine. Just follow each method exactly with the proper sequence of steps and see the results yourself.
FAQ
Can gold plating be recovered?
Yes, gold plating can be recovered to some extent. Light fading or dullness can be improved with gentle cleaning at home like using dish soap or baking soda and aluminum foil method, but if the gold layer has worn off completely, professional re-plating by a jeweler is the only way to fully restore it.
Can I clean gold-plated jewelry with vinegar?
No, it’s not recommended to clean gold plated jewelry with vinegar. As vinegar is acidic in nature so it can damage or strip the thin gold layer exposing the underneath metal.
What is the best jewelry cleaner for gold plating?
The best jewelry cleaner for gold plating among the home remedies is a mild, non-abrasive dishwashing soap mixed with warm water. This gently removes dirt and oils without damaging the thin gold layer, making it safe for regular cleaning.