Gold-plated jewellery is a beautiful way to add a touch of gold to your everyday style without the cost of solid gold. From delicate necklaces and rings to dainty earrings and huggies, gold-plated pieces can become everyday favourites.

Like any jewellery, gold-plated pieces need a little care to keep them looking their best. The good news is that cleaning gold-plated jewellery at home is simple. The key is to use gentle methods and avoid anything that could wear down the gold-plated surface.

Here’s how to safely clean your gold-plated jewellery and keep it looking beautiful for longer.

What Is Gold-Plated Jewellery?

Gold-plated jewellery is made by applying a layer of gold over another metal. Because the gold layer is relatively delicate, it can gradually wear with regular exposure to moisture, chemicals, friction and everyday products.
This is why gentle cleaning and proper storage are important. Rather than using strong jewellery cleaners or abrasive materials, a soft approach is best.

What You’ll Need

You don't need special cleaning products to clean your gold-plated jewellery.

For a gentle clean at home, you can use:

• A soft microfibre or jewellery polishing cloth

• Lukewarm water

• A small amount of mild soap

• A small bowl

• A clean, soft towel

Avoid rough cloths, abrasive sponges, brushes and strong cleaning chemicals.

How to Clean Gold-Plated Jewellery

1. Start With a Soft Cloth

If your jewellery only has light fingerprints, dust or oils from your skin, start with a soft, dry cloth.
Gently wipe the surface of your necklace, earrings, rings or bracelet. Avoid rubbing aggressively, as repeated friction can gradually affect the plated surface.
For everyday maintenance, this simple step may be all your jewellery needs.

2. Use Mild Soapy Water When Needed

For pieces that need a little more cleaning, add a small amount of mild soap to lukewarm water.
Dip a soft cloth into the solution and wring it out well. The cloth should be slightly damp rather than soaking wet.
Gently wipe the jewellery to remove any dirt or residue.

3. Don't Scrub the Jewellery

It can be tempting to scrub jewellery when you see a mark, but this isn't recommended for gold-plated pieces.
The gold layer is delicate, so avoid vigorous rubbing or using brushes to remove stubborn marks. Gentle wiping is a much safer approach.

4. Dry Your Jewellery Thoroughly

After cleaning, use a clean, soft cloth to gently dry the piece.
Make sure your jewellery is completely dry before storing it. Leaving moisture on jewellery for extended periods can affect its appearance over time.

What Should You Avoid When Cleaning Gold-Plated Jewellery?

Some popular DIY jewellery-cleaning methods can be too harsh for gold-plated pieces.

Avoid using:

• Toothpaste

• Baking soda

• Abrasive powders

• Rough brushes

• Strong jewellery-cleaning solutions

• Bleach or other harsh chemicals

• Excessive rubbing or polishing

These methods can be abrasive and may gradually wear away the gold-plated surface.

When it comes to gold-plated jewellery, gentle is better.

How Often Should You Clean Gold-Plated Jewellery?

There isn't a set schedule you need to follow. A gentle wipe with a soft cloth after wearing your jewellery can help remove oils and residue before they build up.

For a deeper clean, clean your jewellery only when it needs it. Frequent or aggressive cleaning isn't necessary and may cause unnecessary friction.

How to Keep Gold-Plated Jewellery Looking Beautiful for Longer

Cleaning is only one part of jewellery care. How you wear and store your pieces can make a big difference too.

Keep Jewellery Away From Water

Remove your jewellery before showering, swimming or bathing. If you're unsure about wearing your pieces in the pool or ocean, read our guide on swimming with gold-plated jewellery.

Apply Perfume and Skincare First

Perfume, moisturisers, creams and other beauty products can come into contact with your jewellery.

As a simple habit, apply your perfume and skincare products first and allow them to dry before putting your jewellery on.

Remove Jewellery Before Exercise

Sweat and prolonged moisture aren't ideal for gold-plated jewellery. Removing your pieces before exercising can help minimise unnecessary exposure.

Store Pieces Separately

When you're not wearing your jewellery, keep it somewhere dry and store individual pieces separately where possible.

This helps reduce friction between pieces and can help prevent scratches and tangling.

Give Your Jewellery a Gentle Wipe After Wearing

A quick wipe with a soft cloth after wearing your jewellery can help remove oils and residue from the surface before you put it away.

Can Gold-Plated Jewellery Be Restored?

Gold plating naturally wears over time, especially on frequently worn pieces. If you'd like to learn more about how long 18k gold-plated jewellery lasts, we have a guide that explains the factors that can affect its lifespan.

This is why good jewellery-care habits are so important. Keeping your pieces away from moisture, chemicals and unnecessary friction can help maintain their appearance for longer.

Caring for Your Aster & Aura Jewellery

At Aster & Aura, our jewellery is designed to be worn and enjoyed. With a little everyday care, you can help keep your favourite pieces looking beautiful.

Whether you're wearing a pair of dainty gold huggies, layering your favourite necklaces or adding a simple ring to your everyday look, remember that gentle cleaning and careful storage go a long way.

When you're not wearing your jewellery, keep it dry, store it safely and give it a gentle wipe after wearing.

Looking for your next everyday piece? Explore the Aster & Aura collection and discover dainty jewellery designed to complement your everyday style.