When looking for a gold chain, the first thing that may have caught your eye is the shine. That brilliant shine that you want to last forever takes a little love and care. Whether you wear your chain 24/7 or just for special occasions, you'll want to keep your chain looking new, so you have to know how to care for it.
Instead of having you search all over the internet on how to clean a gold chain, we'll give you all the answers you need right here — plus a printable maintenance checklist you can keep with your jewelry supplies.
What Is Gold Bonded Jewelry?
Before we get into cleaning, it helps to know what you're working with. Gold bonded is a term similar to gold vermeil. The process involves bonding a thick layer of yellow gold over a base of 925 sterling silver, compared to plating, which is a much thinner layer of gold flashed over a different alloy base. Both processes can create stunning jewelry at affordable prices, and one method may be better suited to a particular style than another.
Routine Jewelry Care
There are some simple things you can do every day or after each wear to keep your gold chain looking good in between deep cleanings, and these are easy to follow with very little time.
Polish your chain with a soft polishing cloth or microfiber cloth (like the one you use on your sunglasses) after each wear if you can. This keeps your chain looking shiny and removes daily buildup. When that cloth starts to look grimy, get a new one.
Keep your chain in a drawer, jewelry pouch, or jewelry case to keep it away from dust. You'd be surprised how quickly jewelry can dull sitting out on a dresser. You also shouldn't keep your gold jewelry sitting in your bathroom — the steam can damage your chain over time. You wouldn't want your gold rope chain or Cuban link chain losing its gleam from a little steam.
Is It Okay to Wear a Gold Chain Every Day?
Yes, gold-bonded and solid gold chains are generally fine for everyday wear — that's part of why they're popular for layering and stacking. Just be mindful of the "routine care" habits above (wiping it down, storing it properly), and remove it before activities that put it at higher risk, like swimming in chlorinated water, intense workouts, or applying lotions and perfumes directly to it.
Is It Okay to Shower With a Gold Chain?
Occasional exposure to water won't ruin a gold-bonded or solid gold chain, but to extend the life of your chain, it isn’t recommended to make it a daily habit. Soap residue, shampoo, and mineral buildup from hard water can dull the shine over time and work into the clasp mechanism. If you do shower with it on, give it a quick rinse and dry it off afterward rather than letting it air dry with residue on it.
How to Clean Your Gold Chain: 3 Methods
Method 1: Using a Jewelry Cleaning Kit
There are a ton of jewelry cleaning products on the market, and while they make it easy to clean gold jewelry, you want to make sure you're using the right one for your piece. Our Jewelry Cleaning Kit comes with all the right tools and a spray safe for your gold bonded chain. While the steps are similar to the DIY method below, this saves time and is easy to do on the go.
- Spray your chain generously with the cleaning solution.
- If needed, use the jewelry brush to get in between the links and around the clasp.
- Wipe the chain down with the polishing cloth.
- Make sure the chain is completely dry before putting it away or wearing it.
Method 2: DIY Dish Soap Method
Here are some easy steps for cleaning gold jewelry at home with things you likely already have:
- You'll need basic dish soap (like Dawn) and lukewarm water.
- Put a little soap on a wet, soft cloth and wipe down your chain. Make sure you get between the links.
- Rinse the chain off with lukewarm water, or use a wet, soap-free cloth to remove any soap from the chain.
- Dry off your chain completely, and you're done.
Method 3: Baking Soda Soak (for Deeper Buildup)
For chains that need a bit more than a wipe-down, a baking soda soak can lift dirt and oils from tight spaces the dish soap method might miss:
- Fill a small bowl with warm water and stir in about a tablespoon of baking soda until it dissolves.
- Add a few drops of mild, unscented dish soap.
- Soak your chain for 10-15 minutes.
- Gently scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush, focusing on links and the clasp.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and dry completely with a soft cloth before storing.
Skip this method for chains with glued-in stones or delicate finishes unless you've confirmed it's safe for that specific piece.
Things to Keep Away From Your Chain
We take pride in the premium materials we use for our gold chains, but there are things that can harm the jewelry:
Harsh chemicals: don't spray colognes or perfumes directly on your chain. Lotions and body washes can also damage the gold piece unless it's solid gold, so we recommend keeping those away from your jewelry.
Chlorine and salt water: you can wear our chains in the pool and ocean, but you'll want to clean them off after. Every pool has different amounts of chlorine, and the more chlorine, the harsher it is on your gold necklace. The same goes for salt water.
Gold Chain Maintenance Checklist
Save this list (or grab the printable PDF version) and keep it near your jewelry storage:
- Wipe chain with a polishing cloth after each wear
- Store in a pouch, case, or drawer — not out on a dresser or in the bathroom
- Rinse and dry chain if worn in the shower, pool, or ocean
- Remove before applying perfume, lotion, or cologne
- Do a soap-and-water clean every 1-2 weeks with regular wear
- Do a deeper baking soda soak monthly, or whenever buildup is visible
- Replace polishing cloth once it looks grimy
- Check clasp and links periodically for wear or loosening
FAQ
What is the best thing to clean a gold chain with? For most gold-bonded and solid gold chains, mild dish soap and lukewarm water is the safest go-to. A dedicated jewelry cleaning kit is the fastest option if you want something built for the job. Avoid toothpaste and abrasive cleaners — they're more likely to scratch than help.
What is the best homemade gold cleaner? A warm water, mild dish soap, and baking soda soak (see Method 3 above) is the most effective homemade option for chains that need more than a quick wipe-down.
How do I make my gold chain shiny again? Start with the dish soap method, then finish with a dry polishing cloth to bring back shine. If it's still dull after cleaning, that's usually a sign it needs the baking soda soak or a professional polish.
Do real gold chains get dirty? Yes — natural body oils, lotion, sweat, and everyday dust build up on any chain, real or not. Gold doesn't tarnish the way silver or base metals do, but it still needs regular cleaning to stay at its best shine.
Keep Your Chain Looking New for Years
If you follow these jewelry cleaning instructions and tips, you can keep your gold chain looking amazing for years to come. Frequent polishing will cut down on how often you need to deep clean your chain, and when that time comes, you've now got three easy methods to choose from. Pair your routine with our Jewelry Cleaning Kit and a travel jewelry pouch to make upkeep effortless, whether you're at home or on the go.
