> To clean jewellery without damaging it, the golden rule is gentleness: lukewarm water, mild soap and a microfibre cloth suit the vast majority of pieces. S *Source : https://meilleures-bijouteries.fr/en/guides/how-to-clean-jewellery/* --- ● Guide # How to clean jewellery: gold, silver, plated and costume Published on **24/07/2026** · By **Sébastien Joumel** In brief **To clean jewellery without damaging it, the golden rule is gentleness: lukewarm water, mild soap and a microfibre cloth suit the vast majority of pieces.** Stronger methods (baking soda, ultrasonics) are reserved for certain metals and never for fragile stones or plating. Here's the right method, material by material. ## The universal gentle method It works for almost everything: a bowl of **lukewarm water** + a few drops of **mild soap**. Soak for 10 minutes, brush gently with a **soft toothbrush**, rinse with clean water and dry with a **microfibre cloth**. Risk-free for gold, silver, steel and most hard stones. ## Gold (solid) and diamonds Solid gold doesn't oxidise; it dulls mainly from cream and soap deposits. The gentle method is enough. For a diamond, a soft brush restores its sparkle. Avoid bleach, which attacks gold alloys. ## Tarnished silver Silver tarnishes through oxidation (sulphides). For **bare silver without stones or plating**, the baking-soda + aluminium reaction works: line a bowl with foil, add hot water and a spoon of baking soda, immerse for a few minutes, and the black transfers to the foil. Otherwise, a silver polishing cloth is gentler. See our guide [how to clean a silver chain](https://meilleures-bijouteries.fr/en/guides/clean-silver-chain/). ## Gold-plated: gentleness required Plating is a thin gold layer over another metal: any friction wears it. **Never baking soda, toothpaste or a hard brush.** A quick wipe with a slightly damp soft cloth, then immediate drying, is enough. Remove it before showering, perfume and sport. ## Costume jewellery and fragile stones Costume jewellery (base metal, glued parts) and soft or porous stones (turquoise, opal, pearl, malachite) dislike prolonged water. A barely damp soft cloth, without soaking, is safest. No ultrasonics on a cracked or glued stone. ## Frequently asked questions How do I clean jewellery at home? Soak for 10 minutes in lukewarm water with a little mild soap, brush with a soft toothbrush, rinse and dry with a microfibre cloth. This suits gold, silver, steel and most hard stones. Is toothpaste good for cleaning jewellery? No, it's not advised: toothpaste is abrasive and scratches soft gold, plating and stones. Prefer lukewarm soapy water and a soft cloth. How do I clean gold-plated jewellery without damaging it? Only with a slightly damp soft cloth, then dry immediately. Avoid any abrasive (baking soda, toothpaste) and any brush, which wear the thin gold layer. Remove it before showering and perfume. ## Read also [ Guide How to clean a tarnished silver chain ](https://meilleures-bijouteries.fr/en/guides/clean-silver-chain/)[ Guide How to clean tarnished gold: 3 safe methods ](https://meilleures-bijouteries.fr/en/guides/clean-tarnished-gold/)[ Guide How to remove a stuck ring: 5 gentle methods ](https://meilleures-bijouteries.fr/en/guides/remove-stuck-ring/) ## Find the best jeweller near you Compare the jewellers in your city on verifiable criteria. [See the rankings](https://meilleures-bijouteries.fr/en/jewellers/)