An Expert Guide for How to Clean Gold Earrings

It couldn’t be any simpler to learn how to clean gold earrings and other gold jewelry at home. Keeping your favorite pieces looking good as new simply requires regular cleaning sessions using a gentle cleaning solution made from a few drops of mild dish soap and warm water, plus a soft brush.

Yet, while the regular maintenance is simple, there are some caveats as well as occasions when you might need to take your gold jewelry into a professional jeweler. Keep reading for BriteCo jewelry expert Rachel Akmakjian’s top tips for cleaning gold earrings at home.

How to Clean Gold Earrings at Home

To clean solid gold jewelry like earrings at home, first gather the necessary equipment — a bowl of semi-hot water, mild soap, a soft cloth, a soft toothbrush (or other kind of non-abrasive brush), and a lint-free polishing cloth. Add some of the soap to the bowl of water to make a warm water solution, dip the brush into it, and then gently use the brush to wash away any buildup or grime that’s accumulated across the earrings’ surface. Finally, rinse and dry them using the soft cloth.

Sometimes, your jewelry can accumulate more oils and dirt than this simple process can handle — especially earrings, as their shine can easily be dulled by oils from your body and hair, as well as residue from cosmetics and hair products. If this is the case, allow the earrings to soak in the soapy solution before using the brush or cloth and wiping the surface clean with a jewelry cloth.

As a general rule, just always keep things gentle and avoid scrubbing, says Akmakjian, who adds, “This method is safe and effective, and helps maintain gold’s natural luster without unnecessary wear.”

When You Should Take Gold Earrings in for a Professional Cleaning

“Professional cleaning is recommended if earrings have heavy buildup, intricate designs that trap debris, or gemstones that look dull despite regular care ,” Akmakjian adds. “It’s also important if you notice loose posts, bent backs, or stones that feel unstable. A professional jeweler can safely deep-clean, inspect for damage, and restore shine without risking the integrity of the piece, something at-home methods simply can’t replace.”

What to Avoid When Cleaning Gold Earrings at Home

If the above process seems too easy, you may be tempted to reach for other tools to clean your gold earrings. But it’s important to know that certain household items could inadvertently damage your jewelry, including:

• Baking soda and vinegar solutions (even if they are often touted as jewelry cleaning “hacks”)
• Paper towels, which can lead to scratches if they’re used to dry your jewelry
• Household cleaning products like bleach, chlorine, or ammonia, which usually contain harsh chemicals that “can weaken gold alloys and damage solder joints or settings,” says Akmakjian
• Jewelry polish that’s not always suitable for all types of jewelry, even if it’s marketed as such
• Ultrasonic cleaners, “unless you’re certain the earrings are solid gold and free of delicate stones as they can loosen settings or cause hidden damage,” says Akmakjian

How to Properly Clean Earrings That Aren’t Solid Gold

If you have gold earrings that are gold-plated or gold-filled — which means that the earrings only appear to be solid gold, but actually contain an additional, cheaper, majority metal — you may need to clean them more often.

“Gold-plated earrings require extra care: They should be cleaned quickly, without soaking, and only with a soft cloth or very mild soap solution,” Akmakjian says. Otherwise, she adds, “Overcleaning plated pieces can wear away the gold layer and expose the base metal underneath.”

How to Clean White Gold Earrings

White gold earrings can be cleaned with the same simple solution of mild soap and warm water before drying them with a jewelry cloth. But it’s important to know that white gold earrings may also require additional, special help from a professional jeweler when the rhodium plating begins to dull or wear off.

This is because white gold is not 100% pure gold but rather a mix of gold and a white metal like palladium, silver, or nickel. The gold is then further coated with a layer of rhodium, which gives it a bright shine. In addition to providing the desired appearance, the rhodium plating may also enhance a piece’s durability and prevent tarnishing. It may also prevent allergic reactions in some wearers, if the metal in the alloy is one that frequently causes allergic reactions.

“Gentle cleaning is key for white gold too, because aggressive cleaning can wear down that rhodium layer over time,” echoes Akmakjian. “If white gold starts to look yellowish or dull, that’s a sign it may need professional re-plating rather than more frequent cleaning.”

How to Safely Clean Gold Earrings with Gemstones

Some gold earrings incorporate intricate designs, including diamonds and gemstones, which may require further cleaning precautions. But knowing how to clean earrings such as these first requires knowing exactly what materials you’re dealing with. For example, learning how to clean gold diamond earrings will differ from learning how to clean gold pearl earrings.

You can further explore how to best clean earrings that feature various gemstones by reviewing our other handy cleaning guides:

• How to clean ruby jewelry
• How to clean sapphire jewelry
• How to clean emerald jewelry
• How to clean diamond jewelry
• How to clean pearl jewelry
• How to clean opal jewelry
• How to clean turquoise jewelry

One other thing to avoid when cleaning your earrings at home: When you rinse the earrings clean of the soapy mixture, don’t dangle them over the sink — you could accidentally drop them down the drain!

How to Keep Your Gold Earrings Looking Cleaner for Longer

You can keep your gold earrings looking cleaner for longer by paying special attention to when you choose to wear the earrings, and taking them off during certain situations in order to protect them. You’ll also want to invest in proper jewelry storage.

When Not to Wear Your Gold Earrings

Do not wear your gold earrings in the shower or other bodies of water, including the pool, since chlorine can damage jewelry. Also, you should always put your earrings on last when getting ready for the day to ensure they do not accumulate excess buildup from hair products and cosmetics.

Akmakjian also advises that “wiping earrings with a soft cloth after each wear goes a long way toward preventing buildup.”

Additionally, avoid wearing your gold earrings any time you’re engaging in any high-intensity physical activity, such as outdoor sports, working out, etc., so as to prevent scratches or potential loss.

How to Properly Store Gold Earrings

Store your gold earrings in a secure jewelry box, preferably in their own separate compartment. Keeping delicate jewelry blocked off from other pieces ensures that different metals and gemstones won’t scratch or nick one another.

How to Clean Gold Earrings FAQs

What Is the Best Way for How to Clean 14K Gold Earrings at Home?

To clean 14k gold earrings at home, all it requires is using gentle soap, warm water, and a soft-bristled toothbrush or cloth to clean away any residue, before rinsing the earrings in cool water and drying them with a soft cloth.

Is Learning How to Clean 10K Gold Earrings Different from Other Types of Gold?

No, while 10k gold does not contain as much pure gold by volume as 14k, 18k, or 22k gold, the cleaning process is the same. It simply requires using a mixture of mild soap and warm water plus a soft brush to clean away any residue, before rinsing the earrings and drying them with a soft cloth.

Can You Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean Gold Earrings?

This may be a popular “hack” for cleaning gold jewelry, but it’s not advisable. Hydrogen peroxide can be too harsh and damaging for certain types of gold jewelry, including gold-plated jewelry and any design that contains gemstones.

Can You Use Vinegar to Clean Gold Earrings?

Vinegar is a great household cleaner in many instances, but it’s not advisable for cleaning gold jewelry. Its acidic nature can damage gold, including gold alloys and gold-plated jewelry.

Can You Use Rubbing Alcohol to Clean Gold Earrings?

While rubbing alcohol is sometimes used to clean earring posts for disinfection purposes, rubbing alcohol can be too harsh for some gold jewelry. As such, it’s best to disinfect your earrings using hot water and soap instead.

Keep Your Favorite Gold Earrings Safe with Specialized Jewelry Insurance

Even with all the proper care and cleaning precautions in the world, your gold earrings may still be accidentally damaged, lost, or stolen. If that happens, a specialized jewelry insurance policy like BriteCo provides will help you repair or replace the earrings quickly and at no extra cost to you.

Learn more about BriteCo’s comprehensive coverage and get your free and fast jewelry insurance quote now.

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