The content of the article
There are different types of alloys of gold with more other metals. Some are harder, others softer. On soft alloys, micro-scratches appear faster, due to which the product dims.
Why do jewelry fade
There are four more reasons why jewelry loses its presentable appearance.
- Natural discharge of a person. The body secretes sebum and sweat. The secret adversely affects jewelry.
- Cosmetics. Do you use creams, makeup? Protect items made of gold or gilding from contact with similar substances - they age jewelry.
- Detergents. Particularly detrimental to rings and bracelets are cleaning powders and whiteness.
- Dust and dirt. City and house dust clogs into the corners of the decorations, making them dirty and unsightly.
Types of spots and 3 solutions to the problem
Gold is a delicate metal, it is easy to scratch it. Unsteady look and decoration in spots. Most often, products have to be washed:
- from blackness;
- from darkening;
- from traces of soot;
- from interspersed dirt;
- from greasy plaque.
Whatever the problem, you can use one of three cleaning options.
- Professional. The jeweler will help restore gold to its original shine and clean it using modern gentle ultrasonic technology.
- Homemade using folk remedies. To wash gold at home to make it shine is not an easy task. But feasible. Various recipes and “grandmother's advice” are used: vinegar, foil, toothpaste and others.
- Home using special tools. Jewelry stores sell special solutions, wipes and creams for cleaning gold at home. With it, all pollution disappears without additional effort and adaptations. You can also purchase a compact home ultrasonic bath for cleaning products made of precious metals and jewelry.
How to clean gold: 12 folk methods
There are 12 folk ways to clean gold. When choosing the right one, remember that jewelry should not be rubbed with effort. Also, dry soda, sugar and loose chistoli are not used. Small abrasives can scratch the product. Use brushes with soft bristles only.
- Soap solution. In a glass of heated water, stir a tablespoon of shampoo. Place the product in the solution. Wait two hours. During this time, all pollution will dissolve. To enhance the effect, go through the problem areas with an old toothbrush. But remember that the bristles should be soft.
- Toothpaste. Toothpaste cleaning is the most common. Apply a little paste and brush the gold. If you clean the chain, distribute the contents of the tube immediately along the entire length, then wipe the “back and forth” with a soft cloth. According to reviews, this is the most effective way.
- Vaseline. Take in equal proportions: powder chalk, soap chips, petroleum jelly, water. Mix chalk and soap, then add petroleum jelly. Add water gradually to bring the mixture to a pasty state. Application: grease and wipe.
- Lipstick. From dark spots on gold and gilded products will help titanium dioxide, which is contained in the female lipstick. Take a colorless lipstick and apply on cotton or cloth. Wipe the decoration. Lipstick will also help polish gold from scratches.
- Vinegar with onions. To remove dark spots, wipe the product with a mixture of grated onions with vinegar (1: 1).
- Sugar. Stir two teaspoons of sugar in a glass of water. Soak the gold for at least six hours.
- Salt. Leave the jewelry in a solution of a glass of water and three tablespoons of salt to lie down during the day.
- Soda with foil. Put foil on the bottom of enameled dishes and fill it with half a glass of water. Add two teaspoons of soda. A chemical process known as ion exchange will begin. In this way, you can clean not only gold but also silver. Put items in the solution. Keep at least ten hours.
- Egg and beer. Beat the egg white beer. Wipe the mixture with the decoration.
- Liquid for lenses. Fill all jewelry with liquid for three minutes.
- Hyposulfite. The substance that photographers use will help get rid of iodine stains.
- Lemon. Squeeze lemon juice and wipe the problem areas.
3 recipes with ammonia
Not a single first-aid kit can do without ammonia. With its help it is possible to give shine not only to glasses and mirrors, but also to gold. There are three recipes for cleaning gold at home with ammonia.
- Option number 1. In a glass of water, one small spoon of alcohol. Wet the cloth or cotton and wipe the jewelry. Wash everything with soapy water, then simple.
- Option number 2. Make a paste of crushed chalk (talc) and ammonia. Apply as in the previous method.
- Option number 3. Mix ammonia (a teaspoon), liquid soap (half a teaspoon), warm water (a glass) and hydrogen peroxide (30 ml). Dip the earrings or ring for ten minutes into the solution.
If there are inserts
Stone inserts on jewelry will not tolerate rude attitude. They are easy to scratch, make them dull. Know that stones do not like water. Those parts of jewelry where the insert is attached should not be soaked. Especially if the stones are glued. Otherwise, valuable minerals will simply fall out. There are two ways to clean gold with stones:
- alcohol - wipe products (for example, with cubic zirconias) with a soft cloth or cotton pad;
- soap solution- handle carefully and quickly, and then it is important to dry well.
5 rules for socks
Caring for gold jewelry is simple. Adhering to the following five tips, you can increase the interval between cleansing and for a long time to preserve the expensive appearance of products.
- Take off before cleaning. Homework or repairs and decorations do not combine. Even when washing dishes, remove them or wear gloves.
- Avoid contact with cosmetics. Cosmetics adversely affect the appearance of products. When applying creams, gels, perfumes, do not let them come in contact with gold.
- Protect from sunlight. The rays of the sun are ways to change the light of metal. Therefore, protect gold from such contact. A box is suitable for storage, but note that cardboard boxes contribute to stains.Best of all is wood lined with polishing material inside.
- Keep away from temperature changes. The jumps in the thermometer column and the change in humidity indicators badly affect the state of the jewelry.
- Shoot at night. And be sure to wipe it with a soft cloth after each sock.
Do not put off cleaning gold at home later. Proper care and respect will extend the life of your jewelry.