Baking soda is a natural and eco-friendly ingredient that can be used to clean gold. You can use a baking soda-vinegar solution or a baking soda-dish soap solution to clean gold jewelry. In addition, you can also use baking soda and boiling water. However, don't use baking soda if there are pearls in your gold jewelry.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using a Solution of Baking Soda and Vinegar
Step 1. Mix three parts baking soda and one part water
Mix the two ingredients until they form a thick paste. The texture of this paste should resemble toothpaste.
Step 2. Apply the paste to the gold jewelry with an ear plug
You can also use a sponge to apply this paste. Coat the entire surface of the gold jewelry with baking soda paste. After that, place the gold jewelry into a glass or small plastic container.
Step 3. Pour the vinegar on the gold jewelry
Use distilled white vinegar. Gold jewelry should be completely immersed in the vinegar. Leave it for 5 minutes.
Step 4. Rinse and dry the gold jewelry
Place the gold jewelry under warm running water. Thoroughly rinse the gold jewelry until the baking soda and vinegar solution is completely gone. Use a soft cloth to dry the gold jewelry.
- If the gold jewelry is still dirty, repeat steps 1 through 4, or use another method. Also, try not to brush gold jewelry with a toothbrush. Gold jewelry may actually scratch when rubbed with a toothbrush and baking soda.
- Do not use this method to clean gold jewelry that has gemstones and pearls. The combination of baking soda and vinegar will probably spoil it.
Method 2 of 3: Trying a Mix of Baking Soda and Dish Soap
Step 1. Mix warm water, dish soap and baking soda in a bowl
Use 1 cup (about 250 ml) of water, 1 teaspoon (about 5 ml) of dish soap and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Mix all the ingredients until smooth and the baking soda is dissolved in it.
If the composition of these ingredients is not sufficient to make the amount of solution you need, you can double the amount
Step 2. Place the gold jewelery in the baking soda solution
Make sure the jewelry is completely immersed in the solution. Leave it for 20-30 minutes.
Step 3. Gently rub the gold jewelry
Use a new (or never used) soft-bristled toothbrush to clean gold jewelry. Scrub the jewelry with a toothbrush until all the dirt is removed.
- Use a toothbrush only if the baking soda solution is not able to clean the dirt on the gold jewelry.
- Do not rub the gold jewelry too vigorously as it can scratch it.
Step 4. Rinse and dry the gold jewelry
Place the gold jewelry under warm running water. Rinse the gold jewelry until all the baking soda solution is gone. Use a soft cloth to remove any excess water and dry the gold jewelry.
- This method is safe to use on gold jewelry that has diamond grains.
- This method is not safe to use on gold jewelry that has pearls.
Method 3 of 3: Using Baking Soda and Boiling Water
Step 1. Cover the glass bowl with aluminum foil
Make sure the shiny side is pointing up. If you have more than 2 gold pieces, try using a flat container like a glass pan or a cake pan with foil. That way, you can ensure that all of your gold jewelry is in contact with the foil.
Step 2. Sprinkle the gold jewelry with baking soda
Place the gold jewelry in a bowl (or baking sheet), making sure it is all in contact with the foil. Sprinkle enough baking soda to coat the entire surface of the gold jewelry. The gold jewelry should no longer be visible after you sprinkle the baking soda.
Step 3. Pour boiling water over the gold jewelry
Boil 1 or 2 cups (250-500 ml) of water on the stove for about 8-10 minutes over high heat until it boils. After that, pour boiling water over the gold jewelry until it is completely submerged. Leave it for 3-5 minutes.
You can also use the microwave to heat the water (for about 1-2 minutes)
Step 4. Rinse and dry the gold jewelry
When you're done soaking, use tongs to lift the gold jewelry out of the baking soda bath. Rinse gold jewelry under cold running water. After that, use a soft cloth to remove the remaining water and dry it.
- Do not use this method if you have glue-glued crystals or pearls on your gold jewelry. Boiling water can loosen the crystal adhesive and damage the pearls on the jewelry.
- This method is safe to use on gold jewelry that has gemstones, unless the stone is glued to the jewelry.
