![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/750x400p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/189/79/57284202.jpg)
George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images
Gold jewelry is a popular and traditional accessory, but different factors can affect its shine and appearance. A build-up of dirt or oil from the neck or even irritants from the environment can leave your gold chain looking less than brand new. There is always the option of sending your precious gold to a jewelry cleaner, but if you would rather cut the cost and be in charge of your own cleaning, there is a simple way to keep your gold looking as good as new.
Prepare a cleaning solution. Fill a bowl or tray full of warm water. Include a few drops of cleaning solution, such as dishwashing liquid (i.e. Dove, Ivory, Palmolive) to the water and stir.
Place the gold into the warm, sudsy water. You can let the gold chain soak for a few minutes or can gently dunk it in and out of the water until it has been evenly submerged.
Remove the gold chain from the sudsy water and rinse in warm water. Dry gently with a damp cloth. Lay the jewelry out on a flat surface and allow it to completely dry--overnight if needed.
Polish your gold. Once your gold chain has been washed and had time to dry you can add extra shine by polishing it. To do this use a fabric cloth and buff the gold chain in small circle patterns with the cloth.
Related Articles
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/34/92/75163045.jpg)
How to Get Rust off a Fake Gold Necklace
How to Clean Palladium Jewelry
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/88/27/sb10065721cu-001.jpg)
How to Take Out Scratches From Silver ...
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/227/151/fotolia_1798514_XS.jpg)
How to Clean Gold Rope Chains at Home
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/69/229/200402655-001.jpg)
How to Get Black Off of a Gold Chain
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/25/90/fotolia_2839425_XS.jpg)
The Best Way to Clean a Silver Chain
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/104/92/200326982-001.jpg)
How to Keep Gold Plated Jewelry From ...
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/178/64/86809157.jpg)
How to Clean Gold Jewelry With Stones
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/56/211/87707203.jpg)
How to Get Kinks Out of Gold Chains
How to Get Rust Out of Silver
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/88/5/87554955.jpg)
How to Clean Sterling Silver & Opals
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/151/11/86801779.jpg)
How to Clean Silver Jewelry With ...
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/s3.amazonaws.com/photography.prod.demandstudios.com/b50abfeb-75a5-489c-8fb8-a5b5b030b634.jpg)
How to Make Homemade Silver Jewelry ...
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/88/167/87789018.jpg)
How to Get Rust Off of a Silver Necklace
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/250/175/87786869.jpg)
How to Clean Sterling Silver Jewelry ...
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/162/230/fotolia_5419232_XS.jpg)
Homemade Gold Jewelry Cleaner
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/110/69/57306592.jpg)
How to Get Nail Polish Off of Rings
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/162/230/fotolia_5419232_XS.jpg)
How to Steam Clean Jewelry at Home
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/203/220/200486120-001.jpg)
How to Clean Jewelry With Club Soda
![Full length view of washing up liquid bottle](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/220/247/fotolia_2200011_XS.jpg)
How to Clean Swarovski Jewelry
References
Writer Bio
Randi McCreary has been writing professionally since 2005. Her work has been featured in "Black Praxis" Second Edition, the NoMoreSilentCries anthology, "Present Magazine," "Riseup Magazine," and "Essence." She is the author of "Sweet.Water.Horizion" and is a tenth year educator with a B.A. in English from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master's in education from Avila University.
Photo Credits
George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images