How to Clean Your Diamond Ring

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Everyone wants to show off their diamond ring at every opportunity, and taking care of it is a vital part to keeping it beautiful. To get the most extreme sparkle possible, it’s best to take your ring to get it cleaned by a jewelry expert. But for those times when going to your jeweler might not be possible, what can you do to keep it sparkling? There are a few things to be aware of when it comes to at-home cleanings, but you do have some options to safely and effectively clean your gorgeous engagement ring and other diamond jewelry to keep them shining.

Why Clean Rings at Home?

Professional cleanings are great a few times a year, but your rings likely lose a bit of their sparkle due to exposure to cosmetics, hair spray, lotion, or the elements—especially if left on the rings for too long.

It may seem like a small luxury or an unnecessary task to clean your diamond rings at home, but there is actually a very significant reason to do regular cleanings. Household Items we encounter every day—pans, coffee mugs, couches, etc.—produce dirt and grime that creep their way into the tiniest crevices of the ring. When this grime builds up over time, it can significantly affect the way the ring looks and sparkles.

While cleaning your ring makes it sparkly, it is actually about making the most of your long-term investment as well.

How to Clean Rings at Home

It’s important to follow guidelines for at-home ring cleaning to ensure you don’t harm your ring.

1. You want to start with a small jar or container filled with boiling hot water. Add a small bit of mild dish soap and mix them together.

2. Remove your rings carefully and place them in the solution, ensuring that the jar or container is placed where it won’t get knocked over.

3. You can soak your ring for about 30 minutes and, if needed, you can scrub it gently with a very soft toothbrush.

4. Rinse carefully under warm running water and use a lint-free cloth to dry or use a canned dust blower.

Additional Guidelines for Cleaning Diamond Rings Safely

Following the above guidelines should ensure that your ring is sparkling clean in no time. There are a few warnings, however, that you need to be aware of as you learn how to clean diamond rings on your own.

First, be wary of sinks and drains. You’re most likely cleaning the ring next to the sink since you can easily rinse the rings and your cleaning tools. Just be sure to close all drains and be incredibly careful around anything that you could drop your ring into.

Second, you should avoid using strong or harsh chemicals or cleaning agents to clean your rings. The metal on your rings can be broken down with some cleaners, like bleach, chlorine, floor cleaners, window cleaners, and acetone. You should also avoid using anything abrasive to clean your ring. Baking soda, toothpaste, and other powdered cleaners can scratch or damage your ring substantially.

Third, you should avoid getting aggressive when cleaning your ring. A soft-bristled toothbrush with a gentle touch is all that is needed during at-home cleanings. If your ring doesn’t appear clean after a few at-home cleanings or after some gentle toothbrush scrubbing, it may be dirtier than you realize. In that case, it’s best to take it to your trusted jeweler to get it cleaned. They will carefully inspect your ring and give you advice on the best ways to keep your ring looking brand new.

And finally, use precautions when using ultrasonic jewelry cleaners. We know that they are pretty effective at getting jewelry clean, but you need to ensure your diamonds are tight and set properly to avoid losing them. There is a simple test you can do to check for loose diamonds on the setting. Hold the ring close to your ear and give it a few gentle taps. If you hear clinking or shaking, something is loose. If this is the case, you should not use an ultrasonic cleaner but should take it to your trust jeweler to get it inspected and repaired.

How Often Should I Clean My Diamond Rings?

While professional cleanings are recommended at least every six months, you can get them done more as needed. At-home cleanings should also be done on an as-needed basis, but once every few weeks is usually enough. If you use a lot of lotions, cosmetics, perfumes, and the like regularly, you may need to clean it more often. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, in the kitchen, or in another place that exposes your ring to debris that causes buildup, you may need to clean it once a week to keep it as glistening as possible.

Any concerns about your ring or how it shines? Visit one of our stores or contact us with all your ring and jewelry concerns. We cannot wait to help you make your ring shine as brightly as the memories you see every time you look at it.

How to Clean Your Diamond Ring