Safe ways to clean gold and silver at home, how to stop silver turning black, and how to store jewellery so it doesn't scratch or tangle.
Good care keeps jewellery looking new and protects its value. Gold doesn't rust or tarnish, but it scratches and collects dirt. Silver darkens over time. Both are easy to look after with a few simple habits.
Cleaning gold at home
- Fill a bowl with warm (not hot) water and add a few drops of mild dish soap.
- Soak the jewellery for 10–15 minutes.
- Gently brush with a very soft toothbrush, especially around clasps and designs.
- Rinse in clean water (close the sink drain first).
- Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Avoid: toothpaste, baking soda scrubs, bleach and strong cleaners. They can scratch gold or damage stones.
Jewellery with stones
- Don't soak pearls, emeralds, coral or opals. Wipe them with a damp cloth instead.
- Kundan, polki and enamel (meenakari) pieces should be wiped gently and cleaned by a jeweller when needed.
- Check that stones are firmly set; loose prongs should be fixed by a jeweller.
Cleaning silver
- For light darkening, wash with mild soap and warm water, then dry well.
- A silver polishing cloth removes tarnish without chemicals.
- For heavier tarnish on plain silver (not on stones or oxidised designs), a jeweller's silver dip or polish can be used. Follow the instructions and rinse well.
- Oxidised (deliberately darkened) silver should not be polished, or the design will fade.
Stopping silver from turning black
Silver darkens when it reacts with sulphur in the air, sweat, rubber bands and some foods. To slow this down:
- Store silver in zip-lock bags with the air pressed out.
- Add an anti-tarnish strip or a small piece of chalk to the box to absorb moisture.
- Keep silver away from rubber, wool and newspaper.
- Wipe items after wearing to remove sweat.
Storing gold
- Keep each piece separately in a soft pouch or a lined box with sections, so pieces don't scratch each other.
- Fasten chains before storing to stop tangles.
- Keep jewellery bills and photos in a separate safe place.
- For heavy or rarely worn jewellery, a bank locker is safer than home. Check the bank's locker rules.
Everyday habits
- Put jewellery on after perfume, hair spray and cream.
- Take it off before swimming (chlorine can weaken some gold alloys), cleaning with chemicals, gym or heavy work.
- Have important pieces checked by a jeweller once a year for worn clasps and loose stones.
Related guides
Learn about purity in 24K vs 22K vs 18K and silver purity, or check today's gold rate.
How often to clean
- Everyday gold (chains, rings, earrings): a gentle wash once a month.
- Occasional jewellery: wipe after each use and clean before storing.
- Silver you wear daily (anklets, toe rings): a wash every few weeks.
- Silver in storage: check every few months and polish only when needed.
Common questions
Can I wear gold in the shower?
Plain gold won't be harmed by water, but soap and shampoo leave a film that dulls the shine. Pieces with stones or glue are better taken off.
Are ultrasonic cleaners safe?
They are usually fine for plain gold and hard stones like diamonds. They can damage pearls, emeralds, coral, opals, enamel and glued stones. When in doubt, ask your jeweller to clean it.
Why has my gold become dull?
Usually it's a layer of skin oil, lotion and soap. A warm soapy soak brings back the shine. Deep scratches can be polished away by a jeweller.
This guide is general information for buyers. Rules and tax rates can change; check with your jeweller, bank or a qualified adviser before big decisions.