Quick answer: the safest way to clean most gold jewellery at home is a short soak in lukewarm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, a gentle clean with a soft brush, a thorough rinse and a complete dry with a soft cloth. But there's one important exception: gold-plated jewellery needs a much gentler touch than solid gold.
This guide covers how to clean every type of gold jewellery, from necklaces and chains to earrings, rings and bracelets, plus the mistakes to avoid and how to keep your pieces shining for longer.
First: is your jewellery solid gold or gold-plated?
This is the most important question, because the cleaning method is different:
| Solid gold (9K, 14K, 18K) | Gold-plated | |
|---|---|---|
| Soaking | 5–10 minutes is fine | Skip it, or keep it under 2–3 minutes |
| Brushing | Gentle brushing with a soft brush | Minimal; a damp cloth is usually enough |
| Polishing cloths | A gold polishing cloth is fine | Avoid: it can wear away the plating |
| Main goal | Remove build-up and restore shine | Remove residue while protecting the thin gold layer |
Not sure what you have? Solid gold is usually stamped with a purity mark such as 375, 585 or 750. If in doubt, treat the piece as gold-plated and clean it gently. Most Lyastone gold pieces are gold-plated, and each product page lists the exact materials.
Why gold jewellery loses its shine
Gold itself doesn't rust, but everyday life leaves a film behind. Skin oils, perfume, sunscreen, lotion, make-up, sweat and dust build up in tiny links, around clasps and behind settings. That's usually what makes gold look dull or cloudy.
What you'll need
- A small bowl of lukewarm water (not hot)
- Mild, non-abrasive dish soap
- A soft toothbrush (new, or jewellery-only)
- A soft microfibre cloth
- Cotton tips for small areas
Avoid: toothpaste, baking soda paste, bleach, acetone, ammonia, abrasive cloths and paper towels.
Step by step: how to clean gold jewellery
- Check it first. Look at clasps, links and any stones. If something feels loose, avoid brushing that area and consider a jeweller.
- Mix a gentle solution. Add a few drops of mild dish soap to lukewarm water.
- Soak briefly. 5–10 minutes for solid gold; skip or keep under 2–3 minutes for gold-plated pieces.
- Clean the details gently. Use a soft brush on solid gold, or a damp cloth and cotton tips on plated pieces. Think "sweeping", not scrubbing.
- Rinse. Use lukewarm running water over a strainer, or swish in a bowl of clean water.
- Dry completely. Pat dry with a microfibre cloth and let the piece air-dry fully before storing.
How to clean each type of gold jewellery
Necklaces and chains
- Let soaking (or a damp cloth) do most of the work, rather than brushing fine chains.
- Focus brushing on the clasp and the back of the pendant, where residue builds up.
- Never pull a wet chain tight; it can kink or stretch.
- Dry the chain flat and straighten it gently with your fingers.
- If it's tangled, don't force it. Gently work the knot loose with a pin, or ask a jeweller.
Earrings
- Clean the posts and hooks regularly, as they're in direct contact with your skin.
- Use a cotton tip dipped in mild soapy water on posts, backs and hooks, then rinse with a damp cotton tip and dry well.
- Don't forget the earring backs, which collect build-up too.
- For statement earrings with stones or pearls, wipe the decorative part with a damp cloth instead of soaking.
Rings
- Rings collect the most lotion and soap, especially underneath stones and inside the band.
- Solid gold rings can be soaked and gently brushed underneath settings.
- For plated rings, wipe inside and out with a damp cloth and use a cotton tip around details.
- Take rings off before washing your hands or applying hand cream to prevent build-up.
Bracelets and charms
- Bracelets rub against surfaces all day, so wipe them after every wear.
- Clean around clasps and between charms with a cotton tip.
- Close clasps before cleaning so charms don't tangle. Read our gold charm bracelet guide for more.
Gold jewellery with pearls, mother-of-pearl or turquoise
Pearls, mother-of-pearl and turquoise are soft and porous. Never soak them or use chemicals. Wipe the stones with a soft, slightly damp cloth, clean the gold parts carefully with a cotton tip, and dry immediately. See our guide to caring for and storing pearls.
Common mistakes that make gold look dull
- Wearing jewellery in the shower, pool or ocean. Read can you swim in gold-plated jewellery?
- Spraying perfume or hairspray directly onto jewellery
- Storing pieces in a humid bathroom
- Cleaning with toothpaste, baking soda or harsh dips
- Using a polishing cloth on gold-plated pieces
How often should you clean gold jewellery?
- After every wear: a quick wipe with a soft cloth.
- Every 2–4 weeks: a gentle clean for pieces you wear often.
- More often in summer: heat, sweat and sunscreen mean more build-up.
How to keep gold jewellery shiny for longer
- Last on, first off: put jewellery on after skincare and perfume; take it off before swimming, showering, exercising and sleeping.
- Wipe before storing: it takes ten seconds.
- Store separately and dry: in a pouch or a Travel Jewellery Roll, away from humidity.
- Rotate your pieces: giving plated jewellery a rest helps it last longer.
Wondering whether plating fades? Read do gold-plated earrings tarnish?
When to see a jeweller
- A clasp or setting feels loose
- There's heavy build-up you can't remove gently
- A chain is badly tangled or kinked
- A valuable or heirloom piece needs professional cleaning
Cleaning silver too?
Silver needs a slightly different approach. Read our guide on how to clean silver jewellery and prevent tarnish.
With gentle cleaning and a few simple habits, your gold jewellery will stay bright, comfortable and ready to wear every day.