How to Clean Your Wedding Ring and Bring Back the Sparkle
There is nothing like wearing a brand-new ring and watching it sparkle and glimmer in the light. However, with everyday wear and the build-up of dirt, hand lotion and other cosmetic residues, wedding and engagement rings become dull over time. While you can take your rings to a jeweler for professional cleaning, giving them a clean at home between visits can maintain a standard of sparkle and keep your jewelry in the best possible condition.
Cleaning your rings regularly, whether they appear noticeably dirty or not, can remove bacteria that cause skin irritation and discoloration to metal bands. It also gives you a chance to inspect your ring closely and determine if there are any loose stones or if you need to get small scratches buffed out. Cleaning your wedding rings at home is a simple task that you can do with everyday items you readily have in the kitchen or bathroom, such as dishwashing soap, warm water, a soft bristle toothbrush and a gentle cotton cloth.
How To Clean Your Engagement Rings at Home
When you’re ready to bring back the shimmer of your diamonds and remove the accumulation of hairspray, lotion, perfume and makeup, use a small bowl to hold your rings. Fill it with warm water and dish wash solution, then drop your rings in and soak them between 20 and 40 minutes. The soaking will loosen any dirt or dried lotion, which will then make it easier to scrub off with a soft toothbrush. You can soak your engagement ring for five minutes in witch hazel or white vinegar for a deeper clean. Before scrubbing with soap or a vinegar solution, be sure to rinse your ring in warm running water. You can then dry your rings with a soft cotton cloth or let them air dry in a safe place. We recommend you avoid using paper towels or napkins as they can leave fibers and potentially scratch the metal.
How Often Should You Clean Your Rings?
Now that you know how to clean wedding rings, be sure to scrub your diamonds with a soft brush regularly. A weekly clean is enough to keep the cosmetic and dirt build-up to a minimum. However, you should also get a professional clean 3-4 times per year. If your rings are exposed to more debris, such as those with an active outdoor lifestyle or work in a kitchen, contact JPratt Designs for professional ring or jewelry cleaning services. Our professional grade cleaning products and ultrasonic machines can readily restore your stone’s shimmer.
What to Avoid When Cleaning A Wedding Ring
The reason for using gentle cleaning products on your rings at home is to remove dirt and debris without causing damage to the metal or gemstones. You should avoid harsh chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide, bleach and acetone, as these can break down the base metal in your ring and compromise the structure. Abrasive products such as baking soda, powdered cleaners and toothpaste can also leave scratches on the band, especially on gold rings or precious gems, as it is a softer metal.
While ultrasonic cleaners provide a thorough clean and are used by many jewelers, we recommend leaving this deep sanitation to the professionals. The machine’s vibrations work to remove the dirt on jewelry; however, it can also loosen the stones in your ring. A jeweler can test the diamonds and gemstones to ensure they are still secure in the metal or prongs, which you could overlook when cleaning at home.
When to Get a Professional Wedding Ring Clean
With regular ring cleaning at home, you should only need to visit a jeweler for a professional clean every 3 months. Be sure to use an experienced professional to care for your rings and check that the diamonds and gemstones are still secure. If there are any scratches on the metal or loose stones in your ring, you want to be confident that your jeweler can restore this damage to its original quality. Our experienced team will take exceptional care of your precious jewelry, whether you require a thorough clean or an intricate repair. We pay attention to detail and will return your ring in pristine condition so you can enjoy watching your diamonds sparkle in the light again.
To further assist with keeping your wedding and engagement rings in excellent condition between professional cleans, you can minimize dirt build-up by wearing rubber gloves when handling harsh chemicals or cleaning, and ensure you take your rings off when venturing outside to work in the garden or play a vigorous sport. Also, be sure to keep up with regular cleaning at home, checking your diamonds, prongs and band for any damage. Give us a call if something seems odd and we will be more than happy to assist in a repair if necessary.
Contact JPratt Designs
At JPratt Designs, we provide an exceptional and personalized custom jewelry experience so you can fall in love with and feel confident in your custom creation. Our talented and dedicated team takes the time to offer a comprehensive service with a focus on both quality and integrity. It is our desire that you not only love your jewelry but you enjoy the process. Schedule an appointment and we can help you create a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry you’ll treasure for years to come!