How to clean gold jewellery at home, safely

Cleaning 6 October 2026 2 min read

Gold does not rust or corrode, but it does collect a film of lotion, soap and skin oils that makes it look flat and turns diamonds cloudy. The good news is that the safest way to clean it is also the simplest.

What you’ll need

  • A small bowl of lukewarm (not hot) water
  • Two or three drops of mild, clear washing-up liquid with no lemon, bleach or “antibacterial” additives
  • A new, extra-soft baby toothbrush
  • A lint-free cotton or microfibre cloth
  • A gold polishing cloth, optional, for the final buff

The five-step routine

1

Soak

Leave the piece in soapy water for 10–15 minutes. This loosens most of the build-up without any scrubbing.

2

Brush

Brush gently in small circles. Work inside ring bands, between chain links and behind stones, where dirt collects.

3

Rinse

Rinse in a second bowl of clean lukewarm water. Never rinse over an open plughole.

4

Dry

Pat dry with a lint-free cloth and let it air-dry fully before storing, especially chains and hinged hoops.

5

Buff

A few light strokes with a polishing cloth bring back the mirror shine. Avoid buffing over gemstones.

How often?

Every 2 weeks for pieces worn daily, especially rings, and monthly for the rest of your collection. Rings with stones benefit from a weekly soak, because hand cream builds up quickly under a diamond. The usgoldapp app works out the right interval for each piece and reminds you when it is due.

“Hacks” to avoid

Toothpaste and baking soda are abrasive and leave hundreds of micro-scratches. Vinegar and lemon juice can damage pearls, opals and some treated stones. Boiling water can crack stones that have inclusions. Bleach attacks the alloy metals in gold.

When not to clean at home

Pearls, opals, emeralds, turquoise and gold-plated pieces need a gentler routine. See our guide to gemstone care. Antique pieces and anything with a loose stone should go straight to a professional.

Care advice, personalised. Every piece is different. Add yours to the usgoldapp care planner and get a plan written for its metal, carat and stones in seconds.