How to Clean a Gold-plated Chandelier

Gold-plated chandeliers should be cleaned carefully.

Gold is a naturally inert metal that will not tarnish. However, very few chandeliers are made of pure gold. Most chandeliers are gold-plated with a gold alloy. Gold-plated objects must be cleaned very carefully due to the gold's tendency to scratch.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• Soft cotton cloth, such as a cloth diaper
• Mild, nonphosphate dish soap such as Ivory, Dawn or Simple Green
• Drop cloth
• Soft toothbrush
• Jewelry polishing cloth

Instructions

1. Place your soft cloth in the bucket and fill the bucket with warm water and three to five drops of a mild, nonphosphate dish soap such as Ivory, Dawn or Simple Green.

2. Spread a drop cloth on the ground under the chandelier to catch the dripping water.

3. Verify that the chandelier is turned off and begin gently washing the gold-plated pieces.

4. Rub stubborn stains or smudges with the water mixture and a soft toothbrush.

5. Leave the chandelier to dry for one hour. Polish the various pieces with a jewelry polishing cloth.

References

• Color Spark Studio: How To Clean Gold Jewelry