How to Clean Gold with Baking Soda

Co-authored by Nicole Wegman

Baking soda is a natural and environmentally friendly way to clean your gold. You can use a baking soda-vinegar or a baking soda-dish soap solution to clean your gold pieces. You can also use baking soda and boiling water to clean your gold. If your gold contains pearls, avoid cleaning it with baking soda.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Baking Soda and Vinegar

1
Mix three parts baking soda to one part water. Mix the ingredients together until a thick paste forms. The paste should have a toothpaste-like consistency.
2
Apply the paste with a cotton swab. You can also use a sponge to apply the paste. Cover the entire piece of gold with the paste. Then place the piece of gold in a small plastic cup or container.

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3
Pour vinegar over the gold. Use distilled white vinegar. The gold should be completely submerged in the vinegar. Let the gold set in the vinegar for five minutes.
4
Rinse and dry the gold. Place the gold under warm running water. Rinse the gold thoroughly until the baking soda-vinegar solution is removed. Use a soft cloth to dry your pieces of gold.
- If the gold is still dirty, then repeat steps one through four, or use a different method. Also, try to avoid scrubbing the gold with a toothbrush to clean it; you may accidentally scratch it by scrubbing it with baking soda and a toothbrush.
- Do not use this method for pieces of gold that contain pearls and gemstones. The combination of baking soda and vinegar may damage them.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Trying Baking Soda and Dish Soap

1
Combine warm water, dish soap, and baking soda in a bowl. Use one cup (236.6 ml) of water, a teaspoon (4.93 ml) of dish soap and a teaspoon of baking soda. Mix the ingredients together until they are well-combined and the baking soda is dissolved.^{[1]
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- If this does not make enough solution, then just double or triple the recipe.
2
Place the gold in the solution. Make sure the gold is fully submerged in the solution. Let the gold set in the solution for 20 to 30 minutes.^{[2]
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3
Gently scrub the gold. Use a new (or unused) soft bristled toothbrush to do this. Scrub the gold with the toothbrush until all of the built-up dirt and grime are removed.^{[3]
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- Only scrub the gold if the solution did not remove the built-up dirt and grime.
- Avoid scrubbing your gold too hard; you may scratch the gold by scrubbing it too hard.
4
Rinse and dry the gold. Place your gold under warm running water. Rinse the gold thoroughly until all of the solution is removed. Use a soft cloth to dry the gold thoroughly until all the water is removed.^{[4]
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- This method is safe to use on gold pieces that contain diamonds.
- This method is not safe for gold that contains pearls.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Baking Soda and Boiling Water

1
Line a glass bowl with aluminum foil. Make sure the shiny side is facing up. If you have more than two pieces of gold, then line a flat surface, like a glass pan or a cookie sheet, with foil. This way you can ensure that each piece of gold is touching the foil.^{[5]
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2
Cover the gold with baking soda. Place the gold in the bowl (or pan), making sure each piece of gold is touching the foil. Sprinkle an adequate amount of baking soda onto the gold pieces until they are completely covered. You should not be able to see the gold pieces.^{[6]
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3
Pour boiling water over the gold. Heat one to two cups (240 to 480 ml) of water in the microwave for one to two minutes, or until it is boiling. Then pour the boiling water over the gold until it is completely submerged. Let the jewelry soak for three to five minutes.^{[7]
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- Alternatively, you can use your stove to heat the water (about eight to ten minutes on a high heat setting).
4
Rinse and dry. After your gold has finished soaking, use tongs to remove the gold from the water. Rinse the gold thoroughly under cold running water. Then dry it with a soft cloth until all the water is removed from the gold.^{[8]
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- Do not use this method if your gold contains glued on crystals or pearls. The boiling water can unglue the crystals and damage the pearls.
- This method is safe for gold that contains gemstones, unless the gemstones are glued on.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I take care of my gold jewelry so it lasts longer?

Nicole Wegman
Jewelry Professional & Founder of Ring Concierge
Nicole Wegman is the Founder and CEO of Ring Concierge, a New York City-based fine jewelry brand. Specializing in engagement ring and wedding band trends, Ring Concierge creates a luxury experience catered towards millennials. Ring Concierge offers engagement rings along with earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. Nicole's work and Ring Concierge have been featured in Vogue, Glamour, Who What Wear, Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, and Cosmopolitan. Nicole is a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Accredited Jewelry Professional and holds a BS in Fiber Science and Apparel Design from Cornell University.

Nicole Wegman

Jewelry Professional & Founder of Ring Concierge

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

To take good care of your jewelry, be sure to remove it before showering, sleeping, working out, etc.