This gentle method works for gold-plated, gold-filled, and solid gold pieces without damaging the finish:
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Mix a bowl of warm (not hot) water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Skip anything harsh or abrasive.
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Soak the piece for 5–10 minutes. For pieces with no gemstones or pearls, this loosens oils and product buildup.
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Gently wipe with a soft cloth or a clean, soft makeup brush to reach tiny links and crevices. Never scrub with anything rough.
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Rinse briefly in clean lukewarm water.
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Dry completely with a soft, lint-free cloth and let it air-dry before storing. Moisture left behind is what causes problems over time.
For quick touch-ups between deep cleans, a dedicated polishing cloth is all you need buff gently and you’re done.
What NOT to use on gold-plated jewelry
Gold plating is a thin layer, so the wrong cleaner can strip it. Avoid:
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Toothpaste, baking soda, and abrasive powders — they’re too rough and scratch the finish.
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Harsh chemicals — bleach, chlorine, ammonia, and many jewelry “dips” can eat through plating.
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Ultrasonic cleaners for plated pieces — they can loosen the plating and any set stones.
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Rough cloths or paper towels — micro-scratches dull the shine.
When in doubt, milder is always safer.
Cleaning pieces with pearls or gemstones
Soft and porous stones need extra care. For pearls, opals, and turquoise, never soak — instead, wipe gently with a barely-damp cloth and dry immediately. For harder gemstones, the soapy-water method is usually fine, but keep soak times short. If you’re shopping for stone pieces, our gemstone earrings and gemstone styles are made to be easy-care, but pearls always appreciate a gentle touch.
Can you shower with gold-plated jewelry?
Here’s the honest answer: it depends entirely on the piece.
Standard gold-plated jewelry? Better to take it off. Repeated exposure to hot water, soap, shampoo, and conditioner slowly wears down the plating and can leave residue that dulls the shine. The same goes for swimming in chlorine or salt water.
Waterproof, anti-tarnish jewelry? Shower away. This is the whole point of pieces built for water. Evry’s waterproof jewelry is made from materials designed to handle showers, sweat, and swimming without fading or tarnishing — so you can genuinely stop taking it off. To understand why it holds up, read Does Gold-Plated Jewelry Tarnish? and Waterproof Jewelry: Made to Last.
The simple rule: if it doesn’t say waterproof, treat water as optional and brief.
Daily habits that keep jewelry looking new
Cleaning is half the battle — these habits are the other half:
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Last on, first off. Put jewelry on after lotion, perfume, sunscreen, and hairspray, and take non-waterproof pieces off before bed.
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Wipe after wearing. A quick pass with a soft cloth removes the sweat and oils that cause buildup.
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Store it dry and separate. Keep pieces in individual pouches or a lined box so they don’t scratch each other; add a silica packet to fight humidity.
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Give chains a break. Rotating your pieces means none of them sit in sweat all day, every day.
How storage prevents fading and tangling
Most jewelry “damage” is really just bad storage. Tossing chains in a bowl leads to knots, scratches, and faster fading. Hang necklaces or lay them flat, clasp them closed so they can’t tangle, and keep everything out of direct sunlight and humidity (so, not on the bathroom counter). A few minutes of organization adds years to your pieces.
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean gold-plated jewelry at home? Soak it in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap for 5–10 minutes, gently wipe with a soft cloth or soft brush, rinse in clean water, and dry completely with a lint-free cloth. Avoid toothpaste, baking soda, and harsh chemicals.
Can you shower with gold-plated jewelry? Only if it’s labeled waterproof. Standard gold-plated jewelry wears down faster with repeated exposure to hot water and soap, so take it off. Waterproof, anti-tarnish pieces like Evry’s are made for showers, sweat, and swimming.
How do you keep gold-plated jewelry from fading? Keep it dry, put it on last after beauty products, wipe it after wear, store it in a dry airtight pouch, and choose anti-tarnish waterproof pieces so fading isn’t an issue in the first place.
Can you use toothpaste to clean gold jewelry? No. Toothpaste is abrasive and will scratch and dull gold plating. Stick to mild soap and warm water.
How often should you clean your jewelry? A quick wipe after each wear, and a gentle soapy-water clean every few weeks for pieces you wear often — more if they’re exposed to lotion, sweat, or makeup regularly.
Shop low-maintenance jewelry
Want jewelry that practically takes care of itself? Explore the waterproof, anti-tarnish collection and our best sellers affordable pieces built to keep their shine, made to be worn Evryday.
