Can You Clean Gold With Toothpaste? What About Other Metals

When it comes to cleaning Gold or other metals, toothpaste comes in as a quick and easy hack. People worldwide often pick toothpaste as an accessible and cost-effective method for cleaning Gold and other metals at home. But ‘Is using toothpaste to clean Gold safe? Can toothpaste really be used to clean Gold and other metals too? Join us as we explore the effectiveness and safety of using toothpaste as a metal-clearing agent. 

Toothpaste has long been praised for its cleaning and polishing abilities. Anyone can swear by the effects and improvement toothpaste shows on teeth and overall oral health. All thanks to its mild abrasiveness and chemical properties, toothpaste has become an inseparable part of our routine. However, due to the same abrasiveness and chemical properties, whether toothpaste is safe to clean Gold is a matter of curiosity and debate. Gold as a metal is softer, and therefore using toothpaste to clean it is quite questionable. Here’s more about the same.

How To Clean Gold Jewelry The Right Way?

Although cleaning Gold Jewelry at home is easy and quick, definitely not with toothpaste. The formula of toothpaste is generally mildly abrasive and helps remove surface dirt. It may act like a cleaning agent for many surfaces, but it can potentially damage the Gold or leave scratches. Therefore, stick with mild dish soap and gentle cleaning methods only for cleaning gold jewelry at home correctly. 

Here’s How To Clean Gold Jewelry At Home The Right Way:

1. Firstly, gather the piece of gold jewelry, lukewarm water, a soft-bristled brush, mild dish soap, and a soft microfiber cloth.
2. Now, mix a few drops of mild dish soap and some lukewarm water until it makes foam. 
3. Soak the gold jewelry in the soapy solution for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen the dirt and dust. 
4. Now, using a soft brush, start cleaning the jewelry gently. Do not use force but ensure you reach the crevices and intricate details of the jewelry piece.
5. Next, once the gold starts appearing clean, rinse thoroughly under lukewarm water to remove any soapy residue. You can also use a jewelry polishing cloth to give your gold jewelry extra shine.

Can You Clean Gold Plated Jewelry With Toothpaste?

Not Gold, but you can try to clean gold-plated jewelry with toothpaste. However, due to the abrasiveness and chemicals in toothpaste, it is important to be gentle and cautious. It is important to learn that the abrasiveness in toothpaste may wear out or thin down the gold plating. But, following the steps below and practicing caution, you can still get impressive cleaning results. 

Safe Way To Clean Gold Jewelry Or Gold-Plated Jewelry:

1. Firstly, pick a very gentle, non-abrasive, and non-whitening toothpaste. These types of toothpaste are generally milder and less likely to cause damage to delicate surfaces such as Gold and silver coating. You can go for toothpaste marketed for sensitive teeth or as gentle. Since these formulations typically have lower levels of abrasive compounds, they may be suitable for cleaning gold-plated jewelry. 

NOTE: Avoid toothpaste that contains baking soda, charcoal, and whitening agent or are for tartar control. 

2. Now take a small damp cloth and squeeze some toothpaste on it. Rub the cloth gently on the surface of the gold jewelry, focusing on areas that need cleaning.
3. Once done, rinse the jewelry piece with water and pat it dry.

Can Toothpaste Clean Fake Gold Jewelry?

Toothpaste can surely clean fake gold jewelry, but it isn’t recommended to do the same. Fake gold jewelry usually comprises a base metal and a thin layer of gold plating or gold tone. Since its coating is less durable and may not withstand frequent or aggressive cleaning, using toothpaste isn’t likely a good idea. 

For cleaning fake jewelry, ask tips from the jeweler or seller you purchased the jewelry from. Such jewelry types usually require very gentle cleaning and the right products. 

What Does Toothpaste Do To Fake Gold?

Since toothpaste is mildly abrasive, it will remove the surface dirt from fake Gold. However, due to its abrasiveness, toothpaste may also remove the gold layering from the piece of jewelry.

How toothpaste can affect fake Gold depends majorly upon its’ abrasiveness and the thickness of the gold-colored coating. If the gold plating is thick and good quality, toothpaste won’t easily remove its shine. However, if the gold plating is very thin, for namesake, using toothpaste may damage it. 

Also, cleaning fake Gold with toothpaste may not restore the jewelry piece’s original shine or luster. Therefore, consult a professional jeweler for appropriate cleaning methods if you own valuable or sentimental fake gold jewelry.

Can Toothpaste Brighten Jewelry?

Toothpaste can potentially help brighten jewelry to some extent, but not all types of jewelry. For instance, it isn’t ideal to use toothpaste for cleaning jewelry pieces like delicate or porous gemstones, pearls, or ones with specialized coating. Toothpaste can potentially damage such jewelry type, and the damage can’t be turned around.

Whereas toothpaste can clean and brighten jewelry pieces of silver, platinum, solid gold jewelry, or gold-filled ones. The trick is to use mild toothpaste, light hand, and the right cleaning techniques. But it is also important to learn that even if toothpaste can clean a jewelry piece, it cannot restore its brightness. 

Tips For Restoring The Brightness And Shine Of Jewelry.

1. Clean jewelry pieces with a mild soapy water solution.
2. Clean non-porous gemstones and metals like Gold or silver using one part ammonia and six parts water. So, soak the jewelry piece into the solution briefly, gently scrub it, and rinse.
3. Use jewelry polishing cloth to restore the shine and brightness of any jewelry piece. However, please read the product description before using it and ensure it is meant for the metal you look forward to cleaning. 
4. Take your jewelry piece to a professional jeweler to restore its brightness and shine. 
5. Always keep your jewelry away from direct sunlight and moisture for preventive care. Regularly clean the jewelry piece of any buildup or tarnish. Also, remove jewelry before using cosmetic or chemical products, including cream, perfumes, talcum powder, etc. By practicing these habits, you can maintain the shine and brightness of your favorite jewelry piece.

What Not To Use To Clean Gold?

Some cleaning substances and methods used for cleaning Gold can potentially cause damage. Therefore, read below on what you should not use to clean Gold:

• Avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach and chlorine to clean Gold. Such chemicals cause discoloration, corrosion, or damage to Gold.
• Avoid using toothpaste that contains whitening agents or baking soda for cleaning gold since it may cause scratches or wear down the Gold’s surface.
• Avoid using rough brushes, scouring pads, or steel wool to clean Gold. 
• Avoid using ultrasonic cleaners to clean fragile or delicate gold pieces. Ultrasonic cleaners generate vibrations and, if used incorrectly, can loosen stones or damage the Gold. 
• Avoid using boiling hot or excessively hot water when cleaning Gold. Excessive heat can potentially damage Gold and gemstones.
• Avoid using cleaning solutions that are reactive with Gold. 

Commonly Asked Questions

Bottom Line…

Overall, toothpaste can be used to clean certain metals like Gold and silver, but caution is advised to avoid abrasion or damage. Seek professional advice for delicate or valuable pieces.