Over time, residue from soaps, lotions and the natural oils in your skin build up on gold jewelry, making it dirty and dull. When you want to restore its luster, you don't need an expensive commercial jewelry cleaner--you already have everything you need to clean your gold at home.
Toothpaste and Baking Soda
A dab of toothpaste and an old soft-bristled toothbrush can be used to gently scrub away the film on your gold jewelry. You can also make a paste out of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Note that some jewelers warn that toothpaste and baking soda contain abrasive ingredients that can scratch gold.
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Dishwashing Liquid
Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a couple of drops of mild dishwashing liquid. Allow your gold jewelry to soak for several minutes and then wipe it clean with a soft cloth.
Ammonia
For stained or especially grimy gold jewelry, soak the piece in a solution of 1 part ammonia to 6 parts water for 30 minutes before wiping it clean.
Buffing
After using any of the above methods, rinse your gold jewelry thoroughly and then dry and buff it with a soft cotton or chamois cloth.
Caution
Be careful not to lose your jewelry down the sink drain when employing these methods. Using a small strainer for rinsing can prevent such mishaps.