Cleaning a gold object with baking soda is the most natural and environmentally friendly way to make your metal shine again. If you want to clean a gold object, use either a mixture of baking soda and vinegar or a solution of baking soda and washing up liquid. You can also do this with a mixture of baking soda and boiling water. If the object contains beads, don't even consider using baking soda to clean it.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar
Step 1. Mix baking soda with water
Add three parts baking soda to one part water. Mix the ingredients until you get a thick paste. The paste should have the consistency of toothpaste.
Step 2. Apply the paste using a cotton swab
You can also apply it with a sponge. Cover the object completely with the dough. Then put it in a plastic container or a small cup.
Step 3. Pour the vinegar over the gold
Use only distilled white vinegar. Completely submerge the gold in the vinegar. Let it sit there for 5 minutes.
Step 4. Rinse and dry the jewelry
Pass the gold under lukewarm running water. Rinse it thoroughly until the baking soda and vinegar solution is completely removed. Dry it with a soft cloth.
- If the metal is still dirty, repeat this operation one to four times or change the method. Also avoid rubbing it with a toothbrush. You will accidentally damage the metal if you rub it with baking soda and a toothbrush.
- It is not recommended to use this method to clean gold jewelry that contains pearls and other precious stones. Their contact with baking soda and vinegar can damage them.
Part 2 of 3: use a mixture of dish soap and baking soda
Step 1. Take a bowl
Combine lukewarm water, washing-up liquid and baking soda in a bowl. Take a cup (250 ml) of water. Pour in a teaspoon (5 ml) of dish soap and a teaspoon of baking soda. Mix everything until you get a homogeneous mixture and make sure that the baking soda dissolves completely.
If you notice that the resulting solution will not be enough for you, simply double or triple the proportions
Step 2. Put the gold in the solution
Immerse it completely in the solution. Let it sit there for twenty to thirty minutes.
Step 3. Gently rub the gold
Use a new (or unused) soft-bristled toothbrush to do this. Scrub the object with the toothbrush until you can remove all the accumulated dirt and grime.
- Only consider scrubbing the gold if you find that the solution has failed to remove all of the dirt and impurities that have built up on it.
- Do not rub your gold too hard, as this will damage it.
Step 4. Rinse and dry the gold
Run your gold under a stream of hot water. Rinse it thoroughly until all the solution is removed. Dry it with a soft cloth until all traces of water are removed.
- This method has no harmful effect on gold objects containing diamonds.
- This is not the case with jewelry and other gold objects trimmed with pearls.
Part 3 of 3: use a mixture of baking soda and boiling water
Step 1. Line a glass bowl with aluminum foil
Turn the shiny side up. If you have more than two gold items, cover a flat surface with aluminum foil, such as a glass pan or cookie sheet. This will allow you to make sure that each metal is in good contact with the aluminum foil.
Step 2. Cover the gold with baking soda
Put them in the bowl (or pan), making sure that each metal is in good contact with the gold leaf. Cover them completely with baking soda, sprinkling them first. You should no longer see the metals.
Step 3. Pour boiling water over the gold
In the microwave, boil one or two cups (250-500 ml) of water for one to two minutes. Then pour this boiling water over the metals until they are completely submerged. Let them soak in for 3 to 5 minutes.
You can also heat the water with your pan (for about eight to ten minutes on high heat)
Step 4. Rinse and dry
After you have finished soaking the metal, use pliers to pull it out of the water. Rinse it thoroughly under cold running water. Then dry it with a soft cloth until all traces of water are removed.
- Never use this method if there are crystals or pearls stuck to the jewelry. The crystals can peel off and the pearls can be damaged under the effect of hot water.
- This technique has no detrimental effect on gold jewelry that contains gemstones, unless the gemstones are glued to it.