How to Clean Gold Overlay

Make your worn-out jewelry sparkle again.

Gold overlay jewelry is perfect for accessorizing on a budget. Thanks to modern technology, today's gold overlay jewelry is strong enough to wear every day without damage. With regular wear, your gold-plated and gold-filled jewelry will become dingy with dirt and grime. Clean gold overlay like you would a very delicate piece of traditional gold. Use only soft, gentle materials and stay away from harsh chemical cleaners.

Things You'll Need

• Dish soap
• Two bowls
• Toothbrush
• Cloth

Instructions

1. Pour a few drops of dish washing soap into a large bowl filled with warm water. Because gold overlay isn't quite as strong as real gold, use a gentle soap and check that the water isn't too hot.

2. Place your gold overlay jewelry pieces into the soapy water-filled bowl and allow them to soak for 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Remove the jewelry from the bowl and lightly scrub it with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Pay particular attention to small pieces and tight spaces, which are prone to collecting dirt and grime.

4. Dip the jewelry in a bowl of clean warm water to rinse.

5. Pat the jewelry dry with a soft, clean, dry cloth. Arrange the jewelry in a single layer on the cloth and allow it to air dry fully before wearing.

6. Gently buff the jewelry using the soft cloth if it is still slightly dingy once it's dry.

References

• Overstock.com: Tip on Gold Overlay Jewelry
• Real Simple: How To: Clean Gold Jewelry
• Luxist; How To Clean Gold Jewelry; Denise Shively; December 2010