Clean Gold Plated Earrings: Step-by-Step Care Guide
By Spiritual & Symbolic Jewelry | Satya Jewelry | Published: 2026-10-21
Category: Tips & Care
Learn how to clean and care for gold plated earrings, including huggie earrings. Step-by-step instructions to prevent tarnish and keep your jewelry shining.
Quick answer
Gently wipe gold plated earrings with a soft, dry cloth after each wear and store them in a dry pouch. For deeper cleaning, use mild soap and warm water, then dry thoroughly.
Why gold plated earrings need special care
Gold plating is a thin layer of real gold bonded to a base metal like brass. While it gives you the look of solid gold at a lower price, the layer can wear away over time if you use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning tools. Earrings also face more friction than other jewelry because they touch your skin, hair, and earring backs daily.
Huggie earrings, with their small diameter and bead details, have crevices that can trap dirt and oils. Gentle cleaning keeps the beads bright and the gold plate intact without loosening the setting.
How to clean gold plated earrings in 5 steps
- 1. Wipe after every wear: Use a soft, lint-free cloth (microfiber works well) to gently wipe the entire earring, including the post and back. This removes skin oils, perfume, and hair products before they can dull the plating. Do this immediately after removing earrings, not the next morning.
- 2. Prepare a mild soap bath: Fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and add a drop of mild dish soap. Swirl to mix. Do not use hot water, vinegar, baking soda, or toothpaste — these are too abrasive or acidic for gold plate. If the label says "harsh-free" or "gentle," it is probably safe. Avoid anything with lemon or bleach.
- 3. Soak and gently brush: Place the earrings in the soapy water for 2-3 minutes. Use a soft toothbrush (extra-soft bristles) to gently brush around beads, crevices, and the earring post. Do not scrub hard — the gold layer can scratch. Common mistake: scrubbing with a nail brush or paper towel. Stick to extra-soft bristles only.
- 4. Rinse with clean water: Rinse each earring under a gentle stream of lukewarm water. Make sure no soap residue remains, especially inside hinges or around beads. Hold the earring over a bowl or sink strainer so it does not slip down the drain.
- 5. Dry completely before storing: Pat dry with a soft cloth, then let the earrings air-dry on a towel for at least 30 minutes. Store them in a dry jewelry pouch or lined box away from humidity. Never store damp earrings — moisture speeds up tarnish. A silica gel packet in your jewelry box helps keep the air dry.
Product spotlight
- Little Joys Dot Huggie Hoop Earrings: 18kt gold plate over brass with a singular line of gold beads. Hoop diameter 12mm, width 3-6mm. The bead line on these huggies creates small grooves that need a soft brush during cleaning to prevent buildup of skin oils and lotion.
Little Joys Dot Huggie Hoop Earrings
