HOW TO CLEAN GOLD JEWELRY WITH VINEGAR


Vinegar and gold jewelry—the perfect pair! Who knew that a simple ingredient like vinegar could make your jewelry sparkle and shine just as brilliantly as it did when you first brought it home? But how do you actually use vinegar to clean gold with? Let's dive in and learn the best methods for cleaning gold jewelry with vinegar.

 


HOW TO CLEAN JEWELRY AT HOME WITH VINEGAR:



MATERIALS NEEDED:


  • Vinegar
  • Warm Water
  • A Small Bowl
  • Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
  • Dry, Cotton Cloth



STEP ONE: POUR THE VINEGAR SOLUTION INTO A BOWL


When cleaning gold with vinegar, the first step is to pour a cup of white vinegar into a small bowl.



STEP TWO: ALLOW THE JEWELRY TO SIT IN THE VINEGAR SOLUTION


Depending on how dirty it is, let your gold jewelry sit in the small bowl for around 10 to 15 minutes submerged in the solution. This will give the vinegar jewelry cleaner enough time to work its magic and break up stubborn dirt and grime.


Don't worry if you get distracted by something else. Your gold jewelry won't get damaged if you leave it in the small bowl with the white vinegar cleaning solution for longer than 20 minutes.



STEP THREE: SCRUB THE JEWELRY WITH A SOFT TOOTHBRUSH


After the jewelry soaks in the vinegar jewelry cleaner long enough, remove it and brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Use the soft bristles on the toothbrush to gently scrub hard-to-reach areas, such as between prongs. This will remove any dirt or grime loosened from the white vinegar cleaning solution which remains on the surface.

 


STEP FOUR: RINSE THE JEWELRY


After scrubbing the remaining dirt off the jewelry: Rinse it in cold or cool water. The water will eliminate any toxic residue left from the vinegar jewelry cleaner. After rinsing, dry the jewelry with a lint-free cloth. Repeat the cleaning process if needed.


SIDENOTE: Do not use vinegar on gold jewelry that has gems or pearls. The acid in the vinegar can damage these delicate stones, leaving your jewelry looking less than its best. If you have gold jewelry with stones and want to clean it well, use mild soap and lukewarm water instead.



FAQ: CLEANING JEWELRY WITH VINEGAR



Q: HOW LONG CAN YOU LEAVE GOLD IN VINEGAR?


A: When you clean jewelry with vinegar, you can submerge your gold jewelry in the vinegar solution for up to 20 minutes, but it's best not to go beyond that point. The acidity of the vinegar can damage the gold if left too long.



Q: DOES VINEGAR KILL GERMS?


A: Yes, vinegar kills germs & bacteria. This homemade jewelry cleaner is composed of 5% acetic acid, which is why you can use it to kill bacteria. The acid in the vinegar kills bacteria and viruses by chemically breaking down their proteins and fats.



Q: CAN I CLEAN MY JEWELRY WITH WHITE VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA?


A: Yes, cleaning jewelry with baking soda and vinegar is pretty simple. Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and two tablespoons of baking soda in a small bowl. Allow your jewelry to soak in the white vinegar and baking soda solution for a few hours. Then, rinse the jewelry with clean water and pat dry with a cotton cloth before storing your pieces away.



Q: CAN APPLE CIDER VINEGAR CLEAN GOLD?


A: Apple cider vinegar is used similarly to white vinegar to clean gold. Pour 1 cup of apple cider vinegar into a cup. Place your gold jewelry in a small bowl with the homemade jewelry cleaner for approximately 20 minutes. After removing the jewelry, use a soft-bristle toothbrush to clean the hard-to-reach places (like between prongs). Rinse your gold jewelry with clean, running water and let your pieces air dry on a soft, cotton towel before storing them away.



Q: CAN APPLE CIDER VINEGAR REPLACE WHITE VINEGAR?


A: Yes, apple cider vinegar is an excellent homemade jewelry cleaner. To clean gold jewelry, pour 1 cup of apple cider vinegar. Then, place your gold jewelry in a small bowl with the cup of apple cider vinegar added in for approximately 20 minutes. After removing the jewelry, use a soft-bristle toothbrush to clean the hard-to-reach places (like between prongs). Next, rinse your gold jewelry with clean, running water and allow your pieces to air dry on a soft cotton towel before storing them away.



Q: IS WHITE DISTILLED VINEGAR THE SAME AS WHITE VINEGAR?


A: White vinegar has an acidity percentage of 5 to 20%, making it the strongest type of vinegar for cleaning. In comparison, distilled white vinegar is 5-8% on the acidity scale – relatively weaker than white or spirit vinegar. Thus, a white vinegar cleaning solution is stronger and better for disinfecting gold jewelry.



Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHITE VINEGAR AND CLEANING VINEGAR?


A: White vinegar contains a 5 percent acidity level while cleaning vinegar contains a 6 percent acidity level. Although it seems small, with only a one percent difference in acidity, it actually results in cleaning vinegar being 20 percent stronger than white vinegar.



WRAPPING UP


Now that you know how to clean gold jewelry with vinegar, you can keep your jewelry clean and sparkling. However, remember that you shouldn't use vinegar on gold jewelry with pearls or gemstones. Instead, use a gentle soap and lukewarm water solution to keep these delicate stones looking their best. And remember to refer to this helpful guide if you have any questions about cleaning jewelry with vinegar. Thanks for reading!