How to Clean and Care For Your Engagement Ring So It Sparkles Like You Want It To

How to Clean Your Engagement Ring Safely

The first step is to make sure you're using a cleaning solution that's safe for all the materials that make up your ring. A lot of standard solutions are not safe for delicate stones like turquoise and opals, so be sure to check. You should also find a soft surface before you begin cleaning, just in case you drop something.

What to Clean Your Engagement Ring With

You'll need a soft, bristled brush (if the brush is rough, it can scratch!) and the cleaning solution that's right for your ring. Forget what you've heard about toothpaste, bleach, chlorine, and ammonia. If you clean your bathroom with it, it's off limits. Products like diamond dazzling sticks are great for durable diamonds and sapphires but wouldn't be good for more delicate stones, including pearls, emeralds, turquoise, and opals. If you take your ring to the jeweler for a cleaning, they'll likely use ultrasonic cleaners that use vibrations to ensure a smooth clean, but it's better not to try this at home. Cleaning at home should be done regularly in between servicing at your jeweler.

When to Clean Your Engagement Ring

For most people, a weekly cleaning is ideal. However, you should be taking your ring to the jeweler to be serviced and/or polished annually to ensure your ring's longevity. If your ring design is more intricate, consider going every six months. If you let your ring go too long without being cleaned, a buildup of gunk or dirt behind the setting could require demounting your stone, and that could cause damage.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sheila Gim

When Should You Take Off Your Engagement Ring?

Caitlin has the best advice for this question: treat your jewellery like a silk dress. If you are wondering if you should take off a piece before doing an activity, ask yourself if you'd do it in a silk dress. If the answer is no, take it off. For the most part, you should take off your engagement ring before sleeping, bathing, cooking, or exercising. Working out can also cause your hands to swell, which may make it harder to remove your jewellery later on. As far as handwashing goes, be careful when applying sanitizers, as some may not be safe for delicate stones such as opals and pearls.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Diggy Lloyd

Where to Store Your Engagement Ring

You should always keep your jewellery in a safe place. If you have a home safe, that's a great option — especially if it's tucked away in a place that's not easily accessible. You may also consider insuring your engagement ring, which is easy and inexpensive. You can also add your engagement ring onto your renters or home insurance.

Should You Keep Your Engagement Ring in a Box?

Yes! You absolutely should when you're sleeping. Over time, the constant exposure to the heat of your body can cause your bands to warp to the shape of your finger, so taking off your ring and stowing it away at night gives it a little breather. Invest in a jewellery box worth your while. This one, called the Skultana, has a soft lining and a sturdy base, so it won't knock over. If you keep a small box like this on your bedside table, it should remind you to take off your ring before going to sleep.

How to Preserve Your Wedding Band

For rings without stones, you don't run the risk of loosening or damageing your ring, so some people do sleep in their rings — like men with their wedding bands. If you have an eternity or infinity band, you might consider going for one with stones only on one side, since the underside of the band is more susceptible to getting banged up (think door handles or housework!). Some people also find a design like this one more comfortable to wear.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Mark Popovich