Are you worried about your expensive gold jewelry becoming dull and wearing out? What if I tell you that you can get your sparkling gold back with minimal effort and a common household commodity? 

I’m sure it’ll be surprising for you to know that you can easily clean your gold jewelry with vinegar. I have been able to get results with two easy-to-follow methods that have been included in this guide for you. So read this article until the end and understand how to clean gold jewelry with vinegar to make it glisten again. 

Does Normal Vinegar Clean Gold?

Vinegar is a common and mildly acidic liquid that you can safely use for cleaning gold. If the jewelry you are planning to clean is real gold, white vinegar will bring no harm to it, even though it is mildly corrosive. It is an acidic solution of 90-95% water coupled with 5-10% acetic acid. 

Cleaning your gold jewelry with vinegar is not just easy and cost-effective but also quite safe. With time and constant exposure, your gold jewelry is bound to build up oil and dirt. By breaking these down, vinegar can bring the sparkle of your gold jewelry back without harming it. You can use the following types of vinegar to clean your jewelry:

• White Vinegar
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Cleaning Vinegar 

Prerequisites for Cleaning Gold Jewelry with Vinegar

• Water 
• Vinegar
• Lint-free cloth
• Bowl/ jar
• Soft-bristled Toothbrush 

How to Clean Gold Jewelry with Vinegar 

There are two methods to clean your gold jewelry using vinegar. You can either submerge your jewelry into the vinegar solution or use vinegar with baking soda to bring back its sparkle. I have tried both methods and have achieved complete satisfaction with the results. You can check out both methods below and follow the detailed steps to get rid of dirt and grime. 

Method 1: Cleaning with Vinegar 

Step 1: Grab a Bowl to Add Vinegar

The first step is to get a jar or bowl and fill it with vinegar. You need to shake it slightly later, which is why it will be better to choose a deep bowl or a jar to prevent the liquid from splashing out. Here, I used about a cup of vinegar to pour into the jar. 

Step 2: Submerge your Jewelry Inside the Liquid

The next step is to place your gold jewelry into the bowl of vinegar and let it sit for a while. Make sure your gold jewelry is completely immersed inside the bowl or jar of vinegar. 

Step 3: Let the Vinegar React with your Gold Jewelry

You should give enough time to vinegar for breaking up oil and dirt and keep your jewelry in the bowl for 10-15 minutes. White vinegar will bring no damage to your gold if it is real. Even when I got distracted and left my jewelry for more than 20 minutes, it did not harm.  

Step 4: Keep moving your Jewelry around

You should slightly shake your jar around or move your jewelry inside the bowl with a spoon. I did this once every few minutes to allow the vinegar to reach every corner of my jewelry. This also helped it react more efficiently with oil and dirt deposited on my gold jewelry. 

Step 5: Get Rid of the Debris

If you come across any visible dirt or debris on your gold jewelry, get rid of it with a soft toothbrush. A soft-bristled toothbrush will not be harsh on your jewelry and will ensure the complete removal of oil and dirt loosened by vinegar. 

Moreover, there are areas where the vinegar may have yet to reach. I scrubbed my toothbrush around those corners to ensure perfection. 

Step 6: Rinse and Pat Dry

The last step is to ensure the complete removal of the acidic residue by rinsing your gold jewelry in cold water. This step is essential after scrubbing off visible debris. Once done, dry your jewelry with a soft cloth of cotton. 

Method 2: Cleaning with Vinegar + Baking soda solution 

Step 1: Mix Baking Soda with Water

The first step is mixing three baking soda with one water. This will give you a smooth paste. For accuracy, I used measuring cups. 

Step 2: Cover your Jewelry with the Paste

Once you’ve created a fine paste, use a sponge to apply it to your gold jewelry. I personally prefer wads of cotton as their absorption qualities make the process easier. When I cleaned my jewelry, I made sure to apply the paste to every part of the jewelry.

Step 3: Shift the Jewelry to another Container

The next step is submerging your gold jewelry inside vinegar and then shifting it into another container. Once placed, I filled the jar with vinegar to thoroughly soak my jewelry which was covered with baking soda paste. 

Step 4: Let the Vinegar React with Your Jewelry.

Once my jewelry was soaked in vinegar, I allowed it to sit still for about 5 minutes to give enough time for the chemical reaction to take place. This step will completely remove the dirt and help in cleaning gold jewelry. 

Step 5: Get Rid of the Residue.

Next, I removed my jewelry from the container and rinsed it in water to eliminate any residue. This will completely remove the vinegar and baking soda paste you would have applied earlier. You can then pat your jewelry dry with a soft cloth. 

Wrapping up

With this guide, you will never have to worry about your gold jewelry losing its shine. You can simply grab vinegar from your pantry and clean your jewelry using any of the two methods discussed in this article. However, if you decide to use baking soda and vinegar, make sure your jewelry does not have pearls or gemstones. 

Having used both methods on my gold jewelry, I can assure you of satisfactory results which will not harm your jewelry if it is real gold. These methods are not only cost-effective but also quite simple to follow and apply. 

FAQs

Does Apple Cider Vinegar Damage Gold?

No, apple cider vinegar will not damage your jewelry if it is real gold. You can use it just like white vinegar to clean your gold jewelry by following the steps mentioned in this guide. 

How Long to Leave Gold in Vinegar?

You can leave your gold jewelry in vinegar solution for about 10-15 minutes, as it will be enough for vinegar to react with gold and remove dirt. However, you do not have to be worried about getting distracted and leaving your gold in vinegar for more than 20 minutes, as it will not damage it. 

Can you Leave Jewelry in Vinegar Overnight?

Leaving gold jewelry for 10-15 minutes in vinegar will do your job. It will not harm or discolor your jewelry if it is real gold. Even if you get distracted and leave it in the solution for more than 20 minutes, it will not bring any damage. 

Does Vinegar Damage 14K Gold?

Since vinegar is mildly acidic, it will break down dirt and chemicals. However, it cannot break down your gold jewelry if it is real. Therefore, vinegar cannot damage 14k gold if it is real. 

Does Gold Dissolve in Vinegar?

Vinegar can break down and dissolve various metals. However, it can neither dissolve nor break down gold if it is real. Gold is resistant to corrosion from vinegar and will remain unaffected if it is soaked for 10-15 minutes in vinegar.