Cleaning and Polishing Your Engagement Ring
Soak and scrub your ring with warm soapy water for the gentlest clean. Fill a small bowl with warm water and a few drops of dish soap, and mix it together. Then, simply soak your engagement ring in the soapy solution for about 20–30 minutes to loosen dirt and grime on the surface. After that, gently scrub the ring with a soft-bristle toothbrush and pat it dry with a lint-free cloth. Dish soap works well for cleaning any type of metal or gemstone on your engagement ring. Avoid using paper towels to dry your ring because they could leave scratches on the metal.
Soak your ring in a commercial fine jewelry cleaner for a deeper clean. Jewelry cleaners contain chemicals that help loosen dirt and grime without damaging the metal or gemstones on your ring. Just open the container and set your jewelry in the solution for about 2 minutes. Then, take your ring out and blot it dry with a clean lint-free cloth. Jewelry cleaner is safe for any type of metal and gemstone, so it’s perfect for cleaning traditional diamond rings as well as rubies, sapphires, cubic zirconia, topaz, and tourmaline. Read the instructions on your jewelry cleaner thoroughly. Some cleaners may require additional rinsing before you dry off your ring while others don’t.
Buff and polish the engagement ring band with a polishing cloth. A polishing cloth has an inner side that polishes metal and an outer buffing cloth to restore the shine on your ring. Start by rubbing the ring’s band with the white inner cloth until the ring looks bright and lustrous. Then, switch to the opposite side of the cloth to buff the surface clean. Polishing cloths work well on gold, silver, and platinum, and it’s a great finishing touch after using any other cleaner.
Cleaners to Avoid
Household cleaners Harsh cleaning chemicals, such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, Windex, and acetone, can all break down the metals on your engagement ring. They may even make the gemstones look dull, so it’s best to avoid using them.
Baking soda or toothpaste Baking soda and toothpaste both have slight abrasives that could leave scratches on the ring’s band or the gemstones. Steer clear of abrasive cleaners to ensure your ring maintains its sparkle and shine.
Vinegar or witch hazel Both vinegar and witch hazel are slightly acidic, so soaking your ring in them could damage the gemstones or break down plated metal on the surface.
Ketchup Even though ketchup may remove some tarnish from silver engagement rings, it may permanently etch or dull the metal after using it. It’s best to stick to soapy water or cleaners specifically made for jewelry rather than trying a home remedy like ketchup.
Beer While beer may help polish a gold band on your engagement ring, it can damage or stain the gemstones so they lose their sparkle. Rather than risking the look of your diamonds or other gems, just avoid using beer as a cleaner.
Boiling water Boiling water can cause the metal on your ring to expand, which may cause the stones to pop out or come loose. Stick to room temperature or warm water while you’re cleaning your ring to avoid damage.
Ultrasonic cleaners Ultrasonic cleaners use vibrations to break apart any gunk that’s stuck in your engagement ring. However, these vibrations can loosen gemstones attached to the ring’s band. Leave ultrasonic cleanings to professional jewelers so you don’t accidentally lose a stone on your ring.
How often should you clean your engagement ring?
Clean your ring at home once a week. A quick weekly clean prevents buildup and film from forming on your ring. Carve out some time in your schedule to take care of your ring each week so it doesn’t lose its shine or luster. Because you’ll normally wear your engagement ring every day, it may get dirtier faster than other jewelry. If you notice dirt or grime on the surface more frequently, then clean your engagement ring 2 times a week instead.
Have your ring professionally cleaned 1–2 times a year. While regular at-home cleaning will help keep your ring looking great, professional deep cleans by a jeweler can restore the look of your jewelry. For the best results, go to the jeweler where your ring was bought. They will be able to use a steam cleaner or ultrasonic cleaner properly so your ring doesn’t get damaged. Professional cleaning prices usually depend on the size of the ring, but it's usually only $25–50 USD.
Engagement Ring Care & Maintenance
Refrain from touching your ring as much as possible. Grease and oils stick to diamond gemstones really easily, so they can start to look dirty or dull any time you touch them. Once you put your engagement ring on for the day, try to avoid touching or fiddling with it so it continues to look shiny and sparkly.
Remove your ring before strenuous or messy activities. To prevent your ring from getting dirty or damaged, take it off whenever you’re cleaning, exercising, swimming, cooking, or doing any other activity that could get messy. That way, you don’t risk any dirt, sweat, or grease covering the band or gemstones. If you’re applying lotion or sunscreen, take off your ring to prevent a film from developing on the surface. Take your ring off before you wash your hands. Soaps could damage the stone or metal, or worse, the ring could easily slip off your finger and go down the drain.
Store your ring in a jewelry box when you’re not wearing it. Jewelry boxes have soft linings inside to prevent your ring from getting scratched or damaged. It also gives your ring a safe storage place so you don’t accidentally lose or misplace it. Keep the box closed to prevent dirt or dust from getting on your ring while you’re storing it.
Take your ring to a jeweler if you notice any signs of damage. Regularly check your ring to see if any of the prongs holding the gemstones look bent or damaged. Inspect if the gemstones look out of place or if they’ve loosened and shifted around. If you notice any of these signs, keep your ring in a jewelry box and take it to a jeweler to have it inspected and repaired.
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