Gold jewellery lasts for decades and is often passed down the family. Yet even gold loses its lustre over time: skin oils, cream, soap and perfume build up on it, and dirt collects in settings and clasps. Pieces kept in a box for a long time lose their shine too.
Regular care takes no more than half an hour and no trip to the jeweller. Simply clean the pieces gently, give them a brief light coat of lubricant and rinse them thoroughly.
What you will need
Important: Do not use lubricant on jewellery set with pearls, amber, turquoise, opal or other porous stones, or on gold-plated costume jewellery: the plating and stones may be damaged. Rinse off all product with warm water before wearing.
Step 1
Prepare your work area
Lay a bin liner over the worktop to protect it and make sure the light is good: this is fiddly work. Gather your jewellery and everything you need.
Step 2
Use a gold cleaner
Apply your chosen gold cleaner exactly as the label instructs. If it needs to be mixed with water, use warm rather than cold: in icy water grime contracts and is harder to shift.
Step 3
Brush gently
Wet a soft toothbrush and gently scrub the piece, concentrating on recesses, stone settings and clasps where dirt hides. Do not press: stiff bristles and heavy pressure can scratch the gold.
Then pat the jewellery dry with a paper towel.
Step 4
Apply a light coat of lubricant
Place the jewellery on the bin liner and lightly spray it with WD-40 Multi-Use. For chains and small parts the WD-40 Smart Straw makes it easier to dispense small amounts.
Let it work for a minute, turn the piece over and treat the other side if needed, then wipe off the excess with a paper towel.
Step 5
Rinse and dry
Put the plug in the sink so you cannot lose a ring or earring down the drain. Rinse the jewellery under a gentle stream of warm, not hot, water to remove all traces of product.
Pat dry with a paper towel and leave on a clean cotton towel until completely dry.
Tip: Take gold jewellery off before cleaning with household chemicals, swimming or applying cream: these are what dull gold fastest.
What next
Clean jewellery you wear every day once a month and pieces kept in a box every few months. Store each piece separately so they do not scratch one another. Silver needs a different approach, covered in our guide to cleaning silver jewellery.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».