How to Clean Your Engagement Ring at Home

Keeping your engagement ring sparkling is about gentle, thoughtful care. With our guide, there's no need for drastic measures.

You may think diamonds will last forever, but you might be surprised just how dirty your ring can get from daily wear and tear. It's easy to forget how much grime builds up, so regular gentle cleaning is key to keeping it sparkling.

It is recommended to always take off your engagement ring (and other rings) when washing your hands in order to not only clean your hands properly, but also to protect your jewellery. However this may not be practical in every situation. 

Diamonds and gemstones love the oils that are in soaps and hand creams, so with regular washing and applications of cream, these oils build up on the surface of the stones, making them appear dull and lifeless. Not to mention that bacteria can live in your engagement ring if you’re not careful.

A diamond’s sparkle originates from the light entering the diamond, traveling to the bottom, and reflecting back to the eye. If it is dirty, light will be restricted. This guide covers everything you need to know about cleaning your diamond rings at home, regardless of the metal type.

Photo by Bridget Flohe

Clean Your Engagement Ring at Home

Save our guide below on how to clean your engagement ring at home, be it in gold, white gold, rose gold or platinum with ease.

CHECK IF THE ENGAGEMENT RING IS IN GOOD CONDITION

It is important that before you start cleaning them, you look closely at your ring and check the state of it. Are the claws firm? Are the diamonds moving in their settings? If so, we recommend you take the ring to a jeweller who will be able to clean it without causing any damage. They'll know how to clean and fix it.

BEGIN CLEANING THE RING USING WASHING UP LIQUID

Rings get dirty for various reasons, the use of cosmetics being the most common one. Lotion, makeup or even perfume can make your diamond look dull. To bring that stone back to life, fill a small bowl with warm water and add washing up liquid. Let it soak for 20 to 40 minutes and brush the stones with the help of a soft-bristled toothbrush. The best one would be one that doesn’t have any rubber bristles. Usually, kids toothbrushes are softer which makes them perfect to clean diamonds. Keep this toothbrush separate and use it only to clean your jewellery. This way, it will stay softer and clean.

GENTLY BRUSH THE RING USING A TOOTHBRUSH

When you brush your engagement ring, make sure you brush the lower part of the diamond. A lot of dirt can build up at the base where the diamond is mounted.

RINSE THE RING UNDER RUNNING WATER

Rinse your diamond ring under warm running water (don’t forget to put the plug in to avoid your ring from dropping down the sink!) If needed, repeat until you are happy with the appearance.

SAFELY DRY THE RING

To dry off your rings, you can use a cotton or linen cloth. These materials will not scratch the metal as paper towels would. You could also let it air dry.

POLISH THE RING

If you have a polishing cloth, you can rub your ring over it to make the metal shine. Don’t forget to store your cloth in a resealable bag to avoid getting dust on it.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CLEAN YOUR RINGS?

This process can be repeated once a week to help you keep those oils and products from building up. However, it is recommended that you take your ring twice a year to get professionally cleaned by a jeweller. A professional has all the necessary equipment and the skills needed to leave your precious item like new. They will also be able to check if your ring is broken or has any damage that needs urgent repair.

HOW TO STORE YOUR RINGS SAFELY

It is also good to clean your ring before you store it. This will avoid any dirt or debris of getting encrusted into the setting, which will make it harder to remove it later. You should store your diamond ring in a microfibre or felt bag. Store it inside your jewellery box until you wear it again.

Been busy in the garden? There are many ways to clean your engagement ring with harsh chemicals, solutions and even vodka! But we don't want to suggest anything here that could potentially damage your ring. So put safety first and contact your jewellery shop/supplier and ask for their advice on how to clean it if you need a deeper clean. Oh! And avoid purchasing an ultrasonic cleaner for home, as it may be amazing at dislodging stubborn dirt but can also move your stones and make them actually fall out of your ring. Your diamond jewellery, especially your engagement ring, holds a lot of sentimental value so it is important to take good care of it.