5 Tips You Should Know When Cleaning Engagement Rings
Your engagement ring is probably the most precious piece of jewelry you have right now. That’s a given, especially if you consider how expensive it can be. The only problem that most people have with these valuable ornaments is that they don’t know how to maintain their shiny and pristine condition for long.
Well, you don’t need to worry anymore because this post has got you covered. Here are some tips on how to clean engagement rings and bring their bright shine back.
Inspect The Ring
Before you start cleaning, you should take a look at the condition of the ring first. This is to make sure that there’ll be no loose stones that may come off when you wear or clean it. To do this, use a safety pin to see if the stones are secure. If the diamond is shaking or moving in its setting, it’s best to have a professional clean and re-set your ring.
Inspecting the ring can also reveal warped prongs, cracks, and other signs of damage, all of which may get aggravated once you start cleaning. Careful inspection of the engagement ring can also help you identify any stains or spots that may need more attention during the cleaning process. Be sure to check those stains or spots once you’re done cleaning to ensure that you get them removed.
Use Warm Water & Dishwashing Liquid
Warm water and dishwashing liquid are perhaps two of the most effective cleaning solutions you can use to clean jewelry items, regardless of their type.
For the engagement ring, soak it in warm water mixed with dishwashing liquid in a container for at least 20 minutes. Depending on how dirty your jewelry is, you may need to soak it for longer than 20 minutes.
After that, you can then use a soft brush to remove any residue on the ring such as stains, dirt, grease, lotion, makeup, or hairspray. Remove any residue using a soft brush if you need to remove a product like hairspray, lotion, makeup, or perfume. Once done, rinse the ring using warm running water. Be sure to rinse it properly to remove any soap residue.
One of the reasons why warm water and dish soap works really well is that they’re designed to remove even the toughest food stains, grease, and acidic residue. Aside from that, dishwashing liquids are non-toxic and they can’t damage the metal or stones in your jewelry collection.
Only Use Chemical-Free Cleaning Solutions
If you’re going to use a jewelry cleaning solution or polisher, be sure to do your research first to see if they can’t affect the look of your engagement ring. There are some solutions that contain chemicals that may cause your diamond ring to lose its color or durability.
You should never use acetone, bleach, or chlorine when cleaning your ring as they can damage its band. It’s recommended that you use a regular dishwashing liquid with warm water or chemical-free solutions to clean your jewelry items.
Rinse & Dry It Properly
It’s crucial that you ensure there are no residue spots to be found on your ring once it dries. To do this, you must rinse it well after cleaning. Running water can help rinse your jewelry thoroughly. Just hold out your engagement ring in a stream of running water for a couple of minutes to ensure that all residue spots are gone.
Also, avoid using tissues or towels when you dry your jewelry as they may leave lint and dust. Lints are bad news for any type of jewelry as they can scratch the delicate stones or metals in your engagement ring. Use a lint-free polishing cloth to dry your ring or better yet, use a hair dryer.
Know When To Call A Professional
Most of the time, you can tidy up your engagement ring at home on your own. But it’s also a good idea to have it inspected and cleaned by a professional at least twice a year. The jeweler can check to see if the settings and gems of your ring are secure or not. This is especially true if your ring has even more delicate gems such as opals or pearls.
Expert cleaning from a professional jeweler is usually recommended for these materials. By doing so, your engagement ring will stay beautiful and undamaged for a long time.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your engagement ring from time to time can do wonders in ensuring that it’ll remain beautiful for years to come. But aside from cleaning, you also need to take good care of it. Although rings can accumulate dirt and dust over time, you still have to do your best to keep them clean, especially if you wear them on a daily basis. If you like to wear your jewelry every day, you may need to clean it more frequently for upkeep.
