How To Clean Gilded Silver And Other Gilding At Home + Photos And Videos

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

We clean gold-plated products at home: proven methods and useful tips

Gilded silver items are often found on the shelves of jewelry stores. They look gorgeous and are cheaper than gold ones. Unfortunately, over time, gilding fades. It is possible to return the former shine to jewelry and cutlery, for this you need to properly care for them. How to clean gilding at home?

How to properly clean the gilding from blackness

The process of cleaning gilding at home can be broken down into three stages:

1. Preparatory. Removal of grease, dust and dirt from the gold-plated surface. This is especially true of jewelry that we wear on the body.
2. Main. Direct removal of stains.
3. Final. Polishing with suede to make the product shine.

Basically, gilding is applied to silver and cupronickel. The metal from which the product is made does not affect the way the gold plating is cleaned. Therefore, popular methods and means are applicable to gilded items made of both silver and cupronickel.

How can you clean gilded silver items

Means for cleaning gilded items from dust, grease and dirt should be soft and not damaging the thin top layer.

We remove dust and dirt from spoons

You can wash the cutlery with gilding using the available means. Suede, rubbing alcohol or vinegar are best suited for this purpose.

• suede fabric is used for light dirt. Wipe the cutlery with it until the dirt and dust completely disappears;
• alcohol. Treat the spoons with a cotton swab moistened with alcohol. Use a toothpick in hard-to-reach places. After processing, wipe the surface with suede;
• vinegar is used if the appliances have acquired a greenish tint. In a solution (for 1 liter of water 2 tbsp. L. Vinegar) immerse dirty spoons, leave for a quarter of an hour. You can simply wipe it with a sponge soaked in vinegar solution (2 tablespoons per 250 ml of water). Remove, rinse with water, wipe dry and buff with chamois leather.

We clean jewelry and watches with gilding from black spots

Beer, egg white, and onions are considered the most effective for removing blackness from gilding. Water solutions with soap and ammonia or a mild detergent are also good for removing dark spots.

1. Fill a container with beer, put jewelry in there and leave for half an hour. Then rinse with water and dry.
2. Dip a cotton ball in the egg white, treat the surface, rinse off the remaining protein and dry.
3. Rub the gilded item with onions. Wait 60–90 minutes. Rinse with water, dry and buff.
4. Dissolve a teaspoon of mild detergent and six drops of ammonia in 1 liter of warm water. Immerse the gilded jewelry in the solution for 30 minutes. Keep track of the time! With longer exposure, the gilding may come off. Remove, rinse with water and leave to dry.
5. Add a mild detergent to warm water (when cleaning products with stones, it is better to use regular shampoo). Dip the jewelry in the resulting foam for half an hour, then brush with a soft bristled brush and rinse.

Home remedies for cleaning cupronickel and gilded silver - gallery

Beer cleans dark plaque well from gilding

Rub the gilded cupronickel cutlery with onions - they will become clean and shiny

Egg white gently cleans jewelry without scratching the gilding

A solution of ammonia and detergent removes stubborn dirt on gilded items

Shampoo is suitable for cleansing gilded jewelry with stones

Little tricks

1. Be careful when cleaning jewelry with stones. Rubbing the product or immersing it in a solution can accidentally damage the stone mount.
2. The clasp of many gold-plated chains is made of ordinary metal, which rusts in contact with water. Therefore, it is recommended not to dip them into the solution, but to wipe them off.
3. For cleaning, special pastes are excellent, which can be purchased at jewelry stores.

What tools can not be used

The main rule when cleaning is the absence of any abrasive components, even the softest ones, such as chalk or toothpaste.

Cleaning the gold plating with abrasive products will damage the product

The layer of gilding on some items is very thin. Any, even the softest abrasive can simply erase it.

Methods for preserving gold plating

Unfortunately, the gold plating will wear out over time. Constant contact with various surfaces: body, sweat, water, soap, dirt has a very negative effect on the condition and appearance of jewelry. Simple rules help extend the life of gold plated items.

1. Wipe jewelry and cutlery with chamois leather as it gets dirty.
2. Protect them from exposure to water, perfume, various creams.
3. Store gold-plated items so that they do not touch each other. Wrap the jewelry in suede cloth and place the cutlery in special cases.

Tips for cleaning gold-plated rings, chains and bracelets - video

Gold-plated items require careful treatment. It is very easy to spoil the bright look of gilding. Cleaning gives a good result, returns the jewelry and cutlery to their previous appearance, but do not forget about preventive measures. You can extend the service life of gilding if you know the rules for handling it. Take care of your belongings and they will last you longer.