How to clean 14K gold jewelry at home: a safe 5-step method

The safest way to clean 14K gold jewelry at home is a 10-minute soak in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, a gentle brush with a soft baby toothbrush, a rinse in clean water and a careful dry with a lint-free cloth. That is all most pieces need, from chains to stud earrings. Skip bleach, chlorine, toothpaste, baking soda and boiling water, which can dull the gold, scratch it or loosen stones.

In this guide10

How do you clean 14K gold jewelry step by step?

You need a small bowl, warm water, mild dish soap, a soft baby toothbrush and a lint-free cloth. Follow the steps one at a time; the soak step has a timer.

Clean 14K gold in five steps

1. Mix the bath. Fill a small bowl with warm water, not hot, and stir in a few drops of mild dish soap, such as Dawn. A bowl is safer than the sink, because nothing can slip down the drain.
2. Soak. Leave the jewelry in the bath for 10 to 15 minutes. The soap loosens lotion, skin oil and dust from the links and the backs of settings.
3. Brush gently. Use a soft baby toothbrush on links, clasps and the undersides of stones, where dirt collects. Brush lightly and let the soap do the work.
4. Rinse. Dip each piece in a second bowl of clean warm water, or rinse it under the tap with the drain plugged.
5. Dry and polish. Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth, then let chains air-dry flat before you put them away. A jewelry polishing cloth brings back the last of the shine.

What is the best cleaner for 14K gold?

Warm water and a mild dish soap are the best everyday cleaner for 14K gold. They lift the film of skin oil, lotion and perfume that makes gold look dull, without anything abrasive. A jewelry cleaner made for gold works too, but it is rarely needed. For a deep clean, or if a piece has stones you are unsure about, a jeweler can clean it professionally and check the clasp and settings at the same time.

This works for every piece in our collection, from the heart stud earrings in our cover photo to a fine herringbone chain, which you should lay flat to dry so it doesn’t kink.

Can you clean gold with Dawn dish soap?

Yes. A few drops of a mild dish soap such as Dawn in warm water is one of the gentlest ways to clean gold. Use a plain formula, not one with bleach, scrubbing grains or heavy moisturizers, and rinse well so no soapy film is left on the links.

Does water ruin 14K gold?

No. Water does not harm 14K gold, and showering in it is fine. Take it off before swimming in a pool or the sea and before workouts, and keep it away from perfume, lotion and household chemicals. Chlorine and salt water are the real concern: over time they can dull the surface and weaken the metals mixed into the gold. Dry your jewelry after it gets wet, and store it dry.

Can 14K gold tarnish or turn your skin green?

14K gold is 58.5% pure gold and 41.5% other metals, such as copper and silver, which give it strength. Those metals can react with sweat, lotion, perfume or chlorine, so 14K gold can slowly lose its shine, and on some skin it can leave a faint mark. That is normal for real gold alloys and is not a sign that a piece is fake. A regular clean brings the shine back, and keeping lotion and perfume off your jewelry helps prevent marks. Our guide to what 14K gold is explains the alloy, and how to tell if gold is real covers the safe checks at home.

How do you clean gold jewelry with stones?

Use the same warm soapy water, with a shorter soak and a lighter brush. Clean around the setting from the back, where lotion builds up, and pat the stones dry.

• Ruby and sapphire, lab-grown or natural, are very hard and handle a normal soak well.
• Emerald needs the gentlest care: lukewarm water, a short soak and no ultrasonic cleaner or heat.
• Topaz, citrine, amethyst and peridot are fine in warm soapy water; avoid sudden changes from hot to cold.
• Halo and pavé settings hold many small stones. Brush softly and check that none are loose.

Our pear halo stud earrings and the rest of our birthstone jewelry clean up well this way. The birthstone guide lists each month’s stone.

How do you clean semi-hollow gold?

Clean it the same way, but never squeeze or bend it, and dry it well. Semi-hollow pieces, such as our small hoop earrings and the Miami Cuban link, rope and rolo chains, have a thick gold wall around a small core. They hold up to everyday wear, but a firm squeeze can still dent a link, so treat them with gentle hands. Our guide to solid vs. hollow gold chains explains how each is made.

How often should you clean gold jewelry?

Pieces you wear every day look their best with a soak every two to four weeks. In between, wipe them with a soft cloth after wearing. Pieces you wear now and then only need a clean when they start to look dull.

How should you store 14K gold jewelry?

• Store each piece on its own, in a pouch or a lined box, so harder stones and chains can’t scratch softer gold.
• Close the clasps on chains and lay them flat or hang them, so they don’t tangle.
• Keep it dry. A bathroom is the most humid room in the house; a drawer in the bedroom is better.

Every Heon piece is 14K gold (58.5% pure gold), stamped 585, never plated or filled, and ships with a certificate of authenticity. Shipping is free and insured, and returns are free within 30 days (custom-engraved and personalized pieces are final sale). Browse our 14K gold chains and 14K gold bracelets, or our 14K gold earrings.

Frequently asked questions

Shop 14K gold earrings