Your gold watch is more than just a timepiece. It’s a statement of your style and sophistication. Given gold’s soft and delicate nature, knowing how to clean gold watch is not just essential. It is your way of giving your watch the care it deserves.
In this guide, we will cover steps on how to clean gold watch at home and some helpful maintenance tips. All these will ensure that your watch remains pristine and as bright as the day you bought it.
Why Clean Gold Watches?
Gold watches require regular cleaning because they collect dust and skin oil, among other things. Not cleaning your gold watch can lead to grime buildup. This buildup causes gold watches to lose their shine and look dull, even potentially irreversible damage. By cleaning your watch regularly, you can ensure your watch remains timeless in your collection. Hence, you must know how to clean gold watch properly.
How to Clean Gold Watch: Prep Stage
Before cleaning your gold watch, prepare the materials you need first. These include the following:
- Soft, lint-free cloth or microfiber cloth: To gently clean the watch without scratching the surface.
- Mild dish soap: A simple, gentle soap to help dissolve oils and residue.
- Warm water: To mix with the dish soap; too hot or too cold can damage the watch.
- A small bowl: To mix the cleaning solution.
- Soft-bristled toothbrush (optional): For detailed cleaning in hard-to-reach areas.
- Ammonia (optional for deep cleaning): To be used occasionally for a deeper clean if the watch is particularly tarnished.
- Dry, soft towel: To dry the watch without scratching it.
Steps for Initial Preparation
This is a must-do stage in knowing how to clean gold watch since it prevents water damage. It also ensures that no part of the watch remains moist, leading to internal issues. To prepare your watch for cleaning, you can follow these steps:
- Take the watch off your wrist or remove it from the container.
- Remove any detachable bands or links that can be removed, making it easier to clean all watch surfaces. Doing so also prevents moisture from getting trapped under the bracelet.
- Double-check that the crown of the watch is tightly pushed in or screwed down. Doing so will prevent water from entering the casing.
- Check for any signs of damage or loose parts that may affect how you proceed with cleaning. If you find significant issues, consider taking the watch to a professional before cleaning it yourself.
Safety Tips to Remember
Whether you know how to clean gold watch or not, safety should always come first. That is because keeping safety in mind prevents unintended damage. Here are some helpful tips for you:
- Know your watch’s water resistance level. If your watch isn’t water-resistant, avoid submerging it in water. Instead, use a damp cloth to wipe it clean. For watches that can handle moisture, avoid submerging your watch for too long. Check the depth rating as well, such as above 50 meters.
- Never use bleach, baking soda, or any other abrasive cleaners. These items can erode the gold’s finish or degrade the sealants within the watch.
- If using ammonia or a new type of soap, test the solution on a small, inconspicuous spot on the watch first to check for any adverse reactions.
- Avoid shaking or jarring the watch. This can shift internal components out of alignment, especially in mechanical watches.
- Don’t try to speed up the drying process with direct heat, such as hairdryers or radiators. The quick temperature rise can harm the watch mechanisms.
How to Clean Gold Watch at Home
Knowing how to clean gold watch at home is a delicate process that requires careful attention to detail. Below are steps on how to clean gold watch, including tips for handling watches in watch winders:
1. Prepare the cleaning solution.
- Fill a bowl with water. Ensure that it is not too hot to prevent damage.
- Add a small amount of mild dish soap that doesn’t contain harsh detergents or strong chemicals. As these can tarnish the watch or leave residues.
- If the watch is significantly tarnished, add about half a teaspoon of ammonia per cup of water.
- Stir until well combined.
2. Disassemble the attachable parts.
Remove detachable parts, such as the bands, links, or clasps, to protect your watch during cleaning. This step helps to access all areas of the watch more thoroughly and prevents moisture from being trapped.
3. Gently clean the watch.
- Dip the cleaning cloth into the cleaning mixture.
- Wring out excess water so the cloth is only damp. Doing so minimizes the risks of accidentally wetting the watch.
- Gently wipe all gold surfaces of the watch, applying minimal pressure to avoid scratches.
4. Deep clean the watch.
- Dip a toothbrush or something similar into the soapy water.
- Gently brush the intricate areas of the watch where dirt can accumulate.
- Be careful around the watch face and any gems.
5. Rinse and dry the gold watch.
- Rinse the cloth thoroughly with clean water and wring it out.
- Gently wipe the watch with the cloth to remove any soap suds and residue.
- Use another dry towel to pat down the watch gently.
- Allow the watch to air dry completely on a towel. Doing so ensures that no residual moisture is left before reassembling the watch.
6. Reassemble the watch.
Carefully reattach the bands, links, and any other parts you removed. Ensure everything is securely fastened and aligned properly.
7. Handle watch winders.
- If your gold watch uses a watch winder like Mozsly’s watch winder, ensure to remove it from the winder before cleaning. Doing so helps you avoid damaging the mechanisms.
- Follow the gentle and deep cleaning steps as outlined.
- Once completely dry, place the watch back into the winder.
- Ensure that the watch is securely mounted.
- Double-check that the settings on the winder are appropriate for your specific watch model.
If you often wear your watch, like once a week, clean it once a month. For watches you wear daily, you must do a gentle clean once a week and a deep clean once a month.
Protecting Your Gold Watch Post-Cleaning
Like those offered by Mozsly, a watch winder can help maintain your automatic watches by keeping them wound and ready to wear. This constant movement prevents the oils inside the watch from congealing, which improves its performance and keeps it clean. Mozsly watch winders are reputed for being quiet during operation and having stylish designs. This makes a watch winder an excellent choice for anyone looking to preserve the functionality and cleanliness of their gold watches.
Once you finish cleaning it, you must maintain its pristine condition. Here are some maintenance tips you can follow:
Thorough inspection:
- Inspect your watch closely to ensure that no moisture is trapped and that all parts are dry. Do this after cleaning and before you wear that watch,
- Check that the crystal, bezel, and case back are intact. Doing so prevents dust and moisture from entering the internal parts.
Proper lubrication:
If you have a mechanical watch, keep it adequately lubricated. Lubrication prevents the internal components from wearing out due to friction. You can ask a professional to do this.
Routine wiping:
Wipe your watch daily to remove oils, dust, and any residues left after regular use. It keeps your watch looking good and prevents buildup that can become more difficult to remove over time.
Avoid direct sunlight:
- Store your watch away from direct sunlight, as excessive heat can cause the watch to overheat, potentially damaging its appearance and internal parts.
- Sun exposure can also fade the dial and distort the colors of your watch.
Control humidity and temperature:
- Another maintenance point on how to clean gold watch is to keep your watch in a controlled environment. In this environment, the humidity and temperature should not fluctuate widely. For example, if you have a gold Rolex, store it at a temperature between 60-75°F. For humidity, keep it below 60%.
- Excessive moisture can lead to corrosion and mechanical damage. Consider using silica gel packs in your watch’s storage box to absorb any excess moisture.
Use a watch box or case:
Store your gold watch in a padded watch box or a soft fabric pouch when not in use. This protects the watch from scratches and dust and minimizes exposure to environmental factors that can cause deterioration.
Use a watch winder:
As mentioned earlier, you can use a watch winder for your gold watch. Manual winding can become taxing sometimes. Many people ignore this step and just wind the watch when they wear it. For more details, recall the discussion on “How to Clean Gold Watch Using a Watch Winder?” above.
Position watches carefully:
- Automatic watches should be stored horizontally and face up.
- When using a watch winder like Mozsly’s, keep the watch facing outwards to avoid undue stress on movement.
Chemicals and cleaning agents:
- Prevent contact with chemicals, including cleaning agents, perfumes, and chlorinated water, as these can corrode gold and damage the mechanical parts.
- Apply perfume and lotions before putting on your watch, allowing time for the substances to dry to avoid potential damage.
Physical activity:
Remove your watch during physical activities that might expose it to shocks, vibrations, and perspiration. These things can harm the watch’s mechanics and aesthetics.
Regular servicing:
- Have your watch professionally serviced every 3-5 years for a mechanical watch or, as the brand recommends, for quartz watches. Servicing includes detailed cleaning, lubrication, and replacement of worn parts, ensuring that your watch operates perfectly.
- For quartz watches, ensure that the battery is checked and replaced by a professional to avoid leaks, which can cause significant damage to the internal components.
Rotate your watches:
If you own multiple watches, rotate their use. This evens wear and tear and keeps the watch from sitting idle, which can cause lubricants to coagulate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning
While precious and sturdy, gold requires careful handling and maintenance to keep its luster and function. Hence, any mistake in the cleaning may cause harm to your watch. To prevent that, you must know how to clean gold watch properly.
Aside from knowing the steps on how to clean gold watch, you must also be aware of some common mistakes to avoid. Here are some examples of these mistakes:
- Abrasive clothes or solutions: Never use abrasive fabrics or solutions because they scratch surfaces made of gold.
- Scrubbing too hard: Avoid exerting much pressure because it may push away small parts.
- Extreme heat: Do not expose this device to rapid temperature changes, such as using hair dryers for quick drying.
- Too much soup: Be careful about the concentration of soap in water. Excess soap leaves behind residues.
- Unverified water resistance: Do not immerse timepieces in water unless they are confirmed as water-resistant.
- Damp components: Avoid assembling wet detachable parts since this encourages moisture retention within them. They can cause damage through rusting or other means.
The Magic of the Mozsly Watch Winder
Your watch isn’t just a timepiece; it’s a testament to your style and sophistication. Could you treat it with the reverence it deserves? Nestle it in a plush pouch or its regal box when not adorning your wrist. And a word to the wise: Gold despises the harshness of sunlight and the dampness of humidity. These elements can rob it of its luster. So, cherish it, protect it, and always ensure it rests in a cool and dry sanctuary.
Now, while we’re on the topic of cherishing and protection, let’s delve into a game-changer for those with automatic gold watches: the watch winder. Curious? Let’s dive in.
MOZSLY® Double Watch Winder: The Ultimate Luxury
Speaking of luxury, let me introduce you to the MOZSLY® Double Watch Winder. It’s not just a winder; it’s a statement. With the capacity to hold and wind multiple watches, it’s perfect for collectors like me. The design is sleek, the functionality top-notch, and the security features unparalleled. Whether you’re looking to showcase your collection or ensure each piece gets the care it deserves, the MOZSLY has got you covered.
Conclusion: The Golden Standard of Watch Care
Maintaining a clean gold watch can be quite taxing. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t do some DIY cleaning. The guide provided earlier presents several steps and tips to ensure that your gold watch remains in impeccable condition. Bear in mind that regular and meticulous cleaning and maintenance not only prolong the life of your watch but also enhance its aesthetic appeal, allowing you to cherish this luxury for many years.
For aficionados who deeply appreciate their gold watches, particularly those with automatic movements, a watch winder is an essential accessory. It serves a dual purpose: preserving the watch’s functionality and its immaculate state. It not only maintains the watch’s functionality but also its pristine condition. If you’re considering investing in one, I personally recommend the MOZSLY watch winder. It’s a game-changer, ensuring your gold watch remains as timeless as the moments it captures.
