Deep Cleaning Gold Jewelry: Pro Gold Cleaning Tips to Restore Serious Shine at Home

Looking to go beyond basic soap and water? If your gold jewelry has lost its sparkle or picked up some surface scratches, it might be time for a deeper clean.

In our beginner’s guide to cleaning gold jewelry, we covered the safest ways to freshen up your pieces using what you already have at home. But if you're after a more intense polish, or you're prepping your favorite piece for a big event, these pro-level methods will help you restore serious shine from the comfort of home.

Before we dive in, a quick note: these techniques are intended for solid gold only, and not recommended for delicate or porous gemstones. When in doubt, always do a little extra research or reach out, we're happy to help.

Method 1: Microfiber Cloth and Jewelry Polishing Cream

Introducing the microfiber magic – a technique that combines a microfiber cloth and jewelry polishing cream to give your pieces a special treatment.

What You'll Need:

• Microfiber cloth (included with all Nova Lita purchases!)
• Jewelry polishing cream or paste for gold
  
  Steps:

1. Start with your Nova Lita microfiber cloth.
   
   
2. Gently apply a small amount of the polishing cream onto the microfiber cloth. Remember, a little goes a long way.
   
   
3. Using circular motions, rub the polish into your gold jewelry, focusing on areas that need extra care.
   
   
4. Be cautious with intricate designs; excess cream could get lodged in crevices. You might need a soft brush to clean those later.
   
   
5. Behold the transformation! Your gold jewelry should be gleaming, ready to steal the show.

Method 2: Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner

Get ready to immerse your jewelry in a symphony of high-frequency waves with the ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. While it's a fantastic method, and it's probably our most used cleaning method here at Nova Lita, make sure to learn the dos and don'ts to ensure this method is right for your jewelry.

What You'll Need:

• Ultrasonic jewelry cleaner 
• Water
• Mild jewelry cleaning solution

Steps:

1. Create a mixture of water and a mild jewelry cleaning solution. Follow the instructions with your cleaner as they are all different.
   
   
2. Activate the ultrasonic cleaner and let your gold jewelry indulge in a high frequency vibrational bath in the cleaning solution.
   
   
3. After a few minutes, your jewelry will emerge refreshed and sparkling.
   
   
4. Don't forget to give your pieces a thorough dry-off with a microfiber or polishing cloth.

Another caution: While ultrasonic cleaners are powerful, there are several gemstones that are not compatible with them so do your research. And remember, the drying step is crucial to prevent any potential water spots from dulling your jewelry's shine.

Method 3: Jewelry Polishing Cloth with Rouge Compound

A rouge compound can be a powerful tool in your arsenal to eliminate surface scratches and ramp up that shine.

What You'll Need:

• Jewelry polishing cloth with embedded rouge compound

Steps:

1. Get your hands on a jewelry polishing cloth equipped with rouge compound.
   
   
2. Find a clean surface to lay your gold jewelry down.
   
   
3. Gently rub your jewelry with the polishing cloth.
    
4. Apply moderate pressure to let the rouge compound work its magic, bidding farewell to scratches and imperfections.
   
   
5. Remember to pay special attention to intricate designs, and be cautious not to leave excess rouge in crevices.

You might be surprised how well this method works to make your jewelry look like new. Keep in mind that if there is excess rouge compound, and it gets in the tiny crevices of your jewelry, it may be tough to clean. If this happens, a soft brush might be your best ally (or a quick ultrasonic bath).

Method 4: Steam Cleaning Machine

Personally, we prefer the ultrasonic cleaner to steam cleaning, but it certainly is effective! Like with all the other methods listed here, err on the side of caution and do your research before introducing your jewelry to the steam machine to make sure it's compatible.

What You'll Need:

• Steam cleaning machine
• Appropriate water and cleaning solution (if required)

Steps:

1. Before proceeding, make sure your gold jewelry can withstand the steam cleaning process. Consulting with a professional or checking the manufacturer's guidelines is essential, particularly if there are any gemstones.
   
   
2. If needed, prepare the steam cleaning machine with the appropriate water and cleaning solution.
   
   
3. Carefully place your jewelry into the machine.
   
   
4. Let the steam dissolve dirt and grime, leaving your jewelry looking brand new.
   
   
5. Once the cycle is complete, handle your jewelry with care as it may be hot. Allow it to cool and dry it off before showing off its brilliance.
   
   

💫 Final Thoughts: How to Bring Back That Bold, Brilliant Shine

These deeper cleaning methods—from ultrasonic baths to polishing cloths with rouge compound—can work wonders on well-worn gold jewelry. Whether you're buffing away fine scratches or just craving that like-new glow, a little extra care goes a long way.

Just remember: when in doubt, be gentle, go slow, and make sure your piece can handle the method you're using. And if you're ever unsure, feel free to message us—we’re always happy to help you keep your gold glowing.