How to clean a gold chain at home?
Gold has always been one of the most expensive metals. Women and men are not indifferent to jewelry made from this material. Surely, every home has at least one gold chain or gold ring in its casket. Such jewelry needs special care, otherwise they may fade or even blacken from time to time. Today we will talk about how to properly clean a gold chain so that the former shine returns to it again.
Cleaning rules
Jewelry made of gold is not only luxurious and beautiful. It is also very effective. Gold accessories will never go out of fashion, which is why many pass them on from generation to generation. Knowing the simple but effective methods of cleaning such a product at home, you can keep it looking perfect for many years. Gold elements can tarnish or even blacken for a variety of reasons. For example, dust and dirt are often clogged between the links, and as a result, all this spoils the appearance of the product.
Whatever it is, if you regularly wear a chain or any other jewelry made of gold, then they must be cleaned at least once a month.
It is not so easy to clear a favorite thing, especially a chain. Some products have too complex, twisted links, small parts, stones and other similar components.
However, if you know some of the rules, then it can be done at home, and your favorite jewelry will once again shine with a golden shine:
- small chain links must be cleaned in a special way. For example, wind a thin layer of cotton wool around a thin needle or toothpick;
- if you plan to clean the product in water, for example, by boiling, then be sure to put a flannel cloth on the bottom of the dish, otherwise you risk spoiling the appearance of the decoration;
- often the chains or rings are cleaned with a small brush, such as a toothbrush. Remember that it should be soft;
- you cannot clean gold jewelry with various powders or other means, particles of which can damage their surface. First of all, this applies to those products that have stone inserts;
- you can clean jewelry using cotton pads, which are usually used to remove makeup;
- after any cleaning method, the jewelry must be rinsed in clean water;
- gold accessories must not be dried with a towel, napkin or hair dryer.
Funds
You can clean the gold chain at home. And it can be done quickly and efficiently. It is possible to rid bracelets-chains, rings and earrings made of gold from blackness using the means that are in every home. We will tell you about the most effective and unusual cleaning methods.
Home
The gold chain often fades, which, of course, upsets its lucky owners. To restore shine and remove dust, the chain can be wiped with the following solution:
- to prepare it, you will need citric acid and ordinary boiled water. Dissolve 2 tsp of acid in a glass of warm water. Thoroughly soak a cotton pad in the solution and rub the product gently. If the jewelry is without stones, then you can lower it in this solution for 10-15 minutes. It is permissible to replace citric acid with freshly squeezed lemon juice;
- very many housewives keep ammonia in the house, which helps to clean windows to a shine or get rid of any stains. So in the case of the chain, especially if dark spots appear, this tool will help. Dissolve 20 drops of ammonia in a glass of warm water, immerse the product in the solution for an hour or two, after which you will notice that it has become much cleaner;
- you can get rid of the adornment from plaque and dust using ordinary soap. It is best to use liquid. Make a soapy solution, release the gold product there and leave for several hours. Then polish with a special cloth and rinse in clean water;
- many fashionistas use a completely simple home method that helps not only to rid the chain of plaque, but also to restore its shine. To do this, grate raw potatoes on a fine grater and distribute the resulting gruel in an even layer over the decoration. After a couple of hours, you need to rinse it in cool water, and the result will surely please you;
- light plaque and light dirt can be removed with a toothpaste. Apply it on a soft brush and rub the problem areas: the shine of the gold jewelry will return again;
- Typically, your home medicine cabinet contains a remedy such as hydrogen peroxide. Ironically, it also helps in cleansing gold jewelry. Dissolve peroxide (30 drops in total) in a glass of water, and lower the product there for several hours;
- soda, which everyone has in the kitchen, will help to tidy up your favorite decoration. Pour water into a saucepan (about 0.5 liters) and add a couple of teaspoons of baking soda. As soon as the water boils, place the product in it, boil for a couple of minutes and remove from heat. Remember to rinse with clean water afterwards.
Fancy
If above we described the methods that are known to many, then now is the time to talk about the unusual methods of cleaning gold jewelry. Despite their unusualness, the methods are simple, affordable and effective:
- lovers of carbonated drinks like cola or pepsi may well cleanse the gold chain with their favorite lemonade. To do this, you need to pour cola into a glass and lower the product there. In just a couple of hours, the chain will be like new;
- another unusual cleaning method will be appreciated by lovers of mustard sauce. It is he who is needed to clean the gold chain.The product must be rubbed with mustard and left for half an hour, then rinsed with clean water and dried. Then you can enjoy the cleanliness and brilliance of beautiful things;
- Among the unusual cleaning methods, there is another method that lovers of a foamy drink will appreciate. To do this, you need beer and raw egg white. Add one protein for half a glass of beer, mix thoroughly. Apply this mixture and rub into the product using a cotton pad;
- dark spots on the gold chain can be removed with a regular product that is used to cleanse contact lenses;
- The regular lipstick that every woman uses can be a great way to clean up plaque from your favorite jewelry. To do this, you need to carefully rub the chain with lipstick, and then wipe it with a cotton pad. If necessary, wash the item in warm water using a soft brush to get rid of lipstick residues in the links.
Professional
For those who are afraid to take risks and try all the home and unusual methods of cleaning jewelry, we advise you to use professional products. These formulations can be purchased at a jewelry store. In addition, they are often sold in cosmetics departments.
The liquid that promises to return purity and shine to gold is most often sold with a special brush.
Read the instructions carefully before using it. It should indicate which products can be cleaned and which cannot.
In addition, the correct proportions are most often indicated. If there is no such instruction, then it is better to refuse to buy the product.
There are also special wipes that are already saturated with liquid and do an excellent job of cleaning chains, rings and earrings. These napkins are easy to take with you and easy to use. The main thing is not to buy too large packages, otherwise some of the napkins will simply dry out and become unusable.
How can stubborn dirt be removed?
It happens that the dirt on the chain or bracelet is too strong. This requires more effective Methods that help to restore shine and shine to the jewelry in one go:
- in a glass of water, mix 2 tsp of ammonia and 2 tsp of hydrogen peroxide. You can also add some liquid laundry detergent or gel. Mix everything thoroughly. In this solution, the product should be kept for no more than an hour, then rinsed with cool water, and if necessary, repeat the procedure;
- boiling is of course the best way to get rid of stubborn dirt. Add 4 teaspoons of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of regular vinegar to a liter of water. Place the chain on the bottom of the pot. Do not forget to cover the bottom with cloth. As soon as the liquid boils, let it boil for 10 minutes over low heat, then remove the product and rinse in running water;
- Line the inside of the glass with foil. The foil should cover the bottom and sides of the glass. Fill it with hot water and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Lower the product to the bottom and leave it there overnight. In the morning, remove and rinse the item thoroughly with clean water. This method is very effective and is a kind of alternative to boiling.
Features of care and recommendations
Lovers of gold jewelry should remember that it is best not to bring the product to a deplorable state, but to regularly maintain its cleanliness and shine. In addition, the preservation of the chain also plays an important role in preserving its original appearance. For prevention, you can clean the chain with toothpaste once a week. This will help keep the product clean, and it will delight you with its shine all the time.
Remember that all jewelry, including gold chains or bracelets, should be kept in a jewelry box. If you rarely wear jewelry, be sure to store it in a tight box, where dust will not get.
Try not to keep all your jewelry in one place. So, they can damage the surface of each other, so it is worth keeping them in separate small boxes or special velvet, silk bags.
If you lead an active lifestyle and regularly go for a run or visit the gym, then it is better to take off the chain during sports.
Firstly, this way the jewelry will really be safe and sound, and you will not worry about it being torn. Secondly, sweat and dust can damage the appearance of the product, from which it can darken.
Chains that are worn regularly, due to constant contact with the skin, need to be degreased. To do this, it will be enough to wash the jewelry once a week with a solution that can be prepared using liquid soap or dishwashing gel. Be sure to dry your garment naturally by hanging it on a convenient hook.
For information on how to effectively clean a gold chain at home, see the next video.