Remember when you first got your engagement ring? How bright and sparkly it was when it caught the perfect light? Well, you can easily keep that ring shining by regular cleaning at home. Here’s your easy guide to how to clean an engagement ring (and a few other favorite jewelry items, too)!
Can you clean engagement rings at home?
Yes! Cleaning your engagement ring doesn’t need to be rocket science—or a secret! Sometimes the best things in life are the simple things. A little soap, a little warm water, and viola, your ring is back to its gorgeous lustered self!
Why should you clean your engagement ring?
Cleaning your ring not only makes it look amazing (duh!), but it also makes you aware of any potential problems that may be brewing.
Engagement rings take a lot of abuse. I mean, you do wear it everyday! When you clean your ring daily – and yes, we said daily – it gives you the opportunity to inspect the prongs that hold those beautiful gemstones. Anything that feels snag-y or rough should mean a trip to your jeweler for a look under a microscope.
Also, cleaning your rings keeps the ick away. Hand lotions, food, sanitizers – they all cling to rings and get into the nooks and crannies. And they harbor bacteria which can cause skin irritations. In fact, many people think they are allergic to gold, when it’s just a bacteria infection from their jewelry!
How To Clean Your Engagement Ring At Home
Of course, the easiest way to clean your rings at home is with jewelry cleaner designed for this purpose. We always send our customers home with a free jar with every purchase! And you should always replace the jar when the liquid inside gets cloudy. It’s like washing the floor with dirty water. It just won’t do the job.
But if you run out of jewelry cleaner, here’s a quick guide on what you’ll need to get your jewelry spic and span at home again!
What you’ll need:
- Lidded jar or bowl (mason jars work great!)
- Water
- A few drops of liquid dish detergent – we like Dawn soap. If it can gently clean off an oil-soaked duckling, it’s gentle enough for jewelry 🙂
- A soft or used toothbrush
Step 1: Let it soak.
If you’re using commercial jewelry cleaner, PLEASE follow the directions on the label. The cleaner we provide at Scott’s Custom Jewelers is actually very gentle, but other cleaners have ingredients that may harm the gems or metal if they’re soaked for longer than a few minutes
Otherwise, gold or platinum jewelry can soak in the homemade solution for days. Sterling silver jewelry can be cleaned in the same solution for 1-2 minutes, but don’t let them soak or you’ll end up with a tarnished mess.
Step 2: Brush it off.
After soaking for a few minutes (or days if the jewelry is especially dirty), gently use that toothbrush to get into the crevasses. Work the brush in swirling motions, and use the bristles to loosen any debris.
It may take a few soaks/brushes to bring back the luster.
Step 3: Rinse and polish!
Finally, rinse those beauties under warm water (make sure the stopper is closed!) and dry it with a soft microfiber towel. If you have a jewelry polishing cloth, finish with a gentle buff.
Cleaning silver jewelry
You can use the same method above to clean your sterling silver jewelry to get the dirt out, but if the pieces are tarnished, you’ll need to remove that with either professional silver cleaner (note: read the directions carefully so you don’t damage the piece or your hands) or a homemade option that is less toxic.
Non toxic silver jewelry cleaner
Line a glass or ceramic bowl with aluminum foil, shiny side up. Fill with warm water and add 1 tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp. salt. Mix it up. Dunk your silver jewelry into the mixture, being sure to have it contact the aluminum foil. This chemical reaction will make a rotten egg smell – which means the tarnish is dissolving. This is a great way to clean silver gemstone jewelry, and is gentle enough that you can dunk your hands into it too! After cleaning the tarnish off, you can clean the dirt off the jewelry with the other cleaning methods. Just be sure to dry it thoroughly! We like to use a hair dryer 😉
Cleaning pearl jewelry
Most people don’t ever clean their pearls, but they should be cleaned after wearing them each time. The oils from your body actually will eat away the nacre, or outside layer, of the pearls, causing them to dull or yellow.
You should use a jewelry cleaner meant for pearls (our branded cleaner is actually pearl cleaner), or at least rinse them with water and let them air-dry on a towel.
Mistakes To Avoid When Cleaning Your Engagement Ring
We gave you our “do’s” for the special ring, but here are some massive “don’ts” when it comes to proper ring clinging.
- Don’t use bleach, chlorine, toothpaste, baking soda, or acetone. Ever. period.
- Don’t use ultrasonic jewelry cleaners. They will shake it off a bit too literally—uh oh, is that a loose stone?
Tips to Keep Your Ring Sparkling Longer
- Remove your ring while cooking or cleaning: Think of it like taking off your shoes before entering the house. It keeps the mess away from your precious bling.
- Remove your ring while swimming or at the beach: Chlorine and saltwater are no friends to your ring. Plus, no one wants to play find-the-ring in the sand.
- Remove your ring while gardening or building: Labor-intensive activities can be tough on your ring. Keep it safe and sound by taking it off before you start your DIY projects.
- Regular cleaning: Regular cleaning keeps your ring looking fabulous and helps prevent buildup. A little TLC goes a long way!
Cleaning Jewelry: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why should I clean my engagement ring?
Regular cleaning not only restores your ring’s sparkle but also helps detect potential issues early. Daily cleaning allows you to inspect the prongs holding gemstones for any signs of damage, ensuring your ring stays secure and beautiful.
2. How often should I clean my engagement ring?
We recommend cleaning your engagement ring daily to prevent buildup of lotions, food particles, and bacteria, which can cause irritation and diminish its shine over time.
3. What should I use to clean my engagement ring at home?
For daily cleaning, use a jewelry cleaner designed for this purpose. At Scott’s Custom Jewelers, we provide a free jar of cleaner with every purchase. If you run out, you can create a homemade solution using a lidded jar or bowl, water, a few drops of liquid dish detergent (like Dawn), and a soft toothbrush.
4. How do I clean silver jewelry?
For sterling silver jewelry, use the same homemade solution, but avoid prolonged soaking to prevent tarnishing. You can also use a non-toxic method: line a bowl with aluminum foil, add warm water, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1 tsp salt. This solution will remove tarnish without harsh chemicals.
5. How do I clean pearl jewelry?
Pearl jewelry should be cleaned after each use to remove body oils that can dull the pearls. Use a pearl cleaner or rinse with water and air-dry on a towel.
Need More Than A Polish? We Repair Engagement Rings!
Whether it’s a loose stone, worn prongs, or a custom redesign, trust Scott’s Custom Jewelers for expert engagement ring repairs. Explore how our custom jewelry and repair services can help restore your ring’s beauty and durability!