How to Clean Tarnished Gold Rings

Gold jewelry doesn't actually tarnish, but sometimes it can appear that way because of the other metals mixed in with it. According to ColorSpark Studio, because gold is soft, it is often mixed with other metals to become an alloy; "the silver and copper in the alloy may react to the oxygen, sulphur and moisture in the air and eventually turn the gold jewelry dark." Gold jewelry also can get a dirty appearance from oils or lotions from your skin. To clean your gold jewelry, all you will need is some common household items; no need for expensive jewelry cleaners.

Things You'll Need

• Mild dish detergent
• Bowl
• Baby toothbrush
• Soft cotton cloth

Instructions

1. Squirt a small amount of mild dish detergent in a bowl, and fill it with warm water. Immerse your gold rings, and let them soak for five to 10 minutes.

2. Rub the rings with your fingers inside the bowl to remove any tarnished appearance or dirt. If the rings are especially dirty, scrub them gently with a baby toothbrush.

3. Rinse the rings with warm water, pat them with a cotton cloth, and let them air-dry. Return the rings to your jewelry box only after they have dried completely.

Tips & Warnings

• Gold scratches easily, so do not use abrasive brushes to clean it.

References

• Colorspark: How to Clean Gold Jewelry
• Catalogs.com: How to Clean Jewelry