How to Clean Your Engagement Ring Like A Pro

Your engagement ring isn’t just a piece of jewelry, it’s a symbol of love and commitment. Keeping it sparkly for a lifetime is the dream, but how do you make sure you’re doing it right?

Let’s brush up on proper engagement ring cleaning etiquette, and take a look at how Lemonade renters insurance can add an extra layer of protection to your precious gems.

What’s the best way to clean my engagement ring at home?

Here’s a step-by-step guide, with best practices for cleaning different types of stones and cuts at home.

Keep in mind: If your ring has unique features, antique value, or you’re unsure about the best cleaning method, consulting with a professional jeweler is the safest approach. They can provide tailored advice based on the specific materials and design of your ring.

1. Gather your materials

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Mild dishwashing soap, or a specialized formula—like Weiman Jewelry Cleaner
• Warm water
• Small bowl
• Soft-bristled toothbrush
• Lint-free cloth 

Using a mild dish soap and warm water mixture is typically a good option if your ring band is made from gold (including yellow, white, and rose gold), titanium, platinum, or tungsten. 

But silver tarnishes more easily than other metals, so if your ring band is made from silver, it’s recommended to use a silver polish along with a soft cloth, or a liquid cleaning solution that’s specifically formulated for silver to avoid damage.

For bands made of non-traditional materials—like wood or silicone—follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions, as these materials can require specialized care.

If you want a professional-esque cleaning without leaving home, consider buying a specialized cleaner—like the Magnasonic Digital Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner.

2. Prepare the cleaning solution

Mix warm—not hot—water with a few drops of dish soap in a small bowl. The key here is to use enough soap to create a gentle cleaning solution without making it overly sudsy or soapy.

If you see a few bubbles on the surface after stirring or swirling the water, that’s typically a good sign. The solution should not feel overly slippery or soapy to the touch. If it does, you might have added too much soap, and should add a bit more warm water to dilute it.

3. Soak 

Place your engagement ring in the solution and let it soak for about 20 to 40 minutes. If you’re using an ultrasonic cleaner, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

If your ring is particularly dirty, you might see particles or oils coming off into the water. Once you stop seeing significant dirt release, it’s usually a sign that the ring is clean.

Soaking for too long, especially overnight, is generally not recommended. Extended soaking can potentially weaken the metal or the settings, especially in rings with softer stones or intricate designs. For example, prolonged exposure to water can sometimes loosen glue used in certain settings, leading to loose stones.

Softer or more porous stones—like pearls, opals, or emeralds—should be soaked for a less time, if at all, as they can be damaged by prolonged exposure to water and soap. For these types of stones, a quick dip or gentle wiping is often recommended instead of a long soak.

4. Gently scrub 

Use the soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub your ring using circular, soft motions. 

Focus on areas that accumulate the most dirt, like under the stone and around the prongs. Avoid applying too much pressure, which might loosen the stones or damage the setting. For gemstones like emeralds or sapphires, be extra gentle to avoid damage.

5. Rinse and dry

Rinse the ring under warm running water to remove any soap residue and loosened dirt. Make sure the drain is closed, or place the ring in a strainer to prevent it from accidentally slipping down the sink.

Pat the ring dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Do not use paper towels, as they can leave scratches or lint on the ring. Allow the ring to air dry completely before storing or wearing it.

6. Post-cleaning check

After you wrap up the cleaning process, it’s a good idea to check if any stones have become loose. 

Gently shake the ring near your ear. If you hear rattling, a stone might be loose, meaning you’re due for a visit to the jeweler for repair. It’s not recommended to wear your ring before it’s fixed.

How often should I clean my engagement ring?

The frequency of cleaning your engagement ring can depend on several factors—including how much wear-and-tear your daily activities could cause, and the type of ring you have. For regular at-home cleaning, a good rule of thumb (or should we say rule of ring finger?) is to clean your engagement ring once every two weeks, which can help prevent the build-up of grime, and reduce the need for frequent, thorough scrubbing. 

But if your ring is exposed to harsh substances like—chlorine, lotions, or heavy dirt—it’s wise to clean it shortly afterward. This helps to prevent potential damage or build-up from these materials. You don’t need to scrub your ring every time it’s exposed to a little dirt though. 

What common mistakes should I avoid when cleaning my engagement ring?

If you like it, then you should never do these things to your ring:

• Use abrasive or harsh chemicals—like household cleaners, baking soda, bleach, acetone, and toothpaste, as they can damage the metal and stones
• Soak it overnight, or in hot water
• Scrub too hard, especially on delicate gemstones
• Assume there’s one cleaning method that suits all stone or ring types, or just wing it
• Forget to plug the sink, which could lead to a heart-stopping ring loss

Gary Holsten, owner of third generation family jewelry store based in New York, Holsten Jewelers, shares a harrowing tale of a customer who turned their back on their ring, nearly ruining it:

One of my clients boiled her diamond ring and forgot to take it out, and it ended up burning the diamond.

Luckily, this story has a happy ending—after cleaning it up, the diamond turned out fine. But it’s not worth risking your fine jewelry with a DIY hack. 

How often should I get my engagement ring professionally cleaned?

DIY methods can be a great option to give your ring regular TLC, but nothing beats a professional cleaning by a jeweler. Holsten recommends taking your engagement ring for a professional cleaning about every one to two years. 

Having a professional polish your ring and check the center stones, and side stones if needed, can help prevent the loss and loosening of stones.

A professional ring cleaning typically involves a more thorough and detailed process compared to at-home care. Jewelers often use specialized equipment and techniques, such as: 

• Ultrasonic cleaners
• Steam cleaners
• High-grade polishing tools

These methods can effectively remove dirt and grime from hard-to-reach places and restore the ring’s shine without causing damage.

This cleaning is also a good time for the jeweler to offer repair services if needed.

Many jewelers offer warranties on engagement rings that require regular professional cleaning and maintenance as part of the warranty terms. It’s important to review the specific terms of your warranty to understand the obligations—like how frequently you need to take it for a professional cleaning.

What are some additional care and maintenance tips for my engagement ring?

Proper cleaning can help remove the dirt and grime from your engagement ring, but there are a lot of scenarios where it’s best to take your ring off to prevent it getting dirty or damaged in the first place. Check out 10 things you should never do while wearing your engagement ring.

By the way, did you know that a standard Lemonade renters insurance policy automatically protects engagement rings up to $1,500 in the event of theft? 

And if you want even more protection for your ring, it’s easy to add Extra Coverage for your engagement ring on the Lemonade app. That means that you can get your engagement ring replaced—without a deductible—if it gets lost, stolen, or damaged. 

Extra Coverage will cover just about any damage to your engagement ring, except normal wear and tear.

So if you accidentally forget to plug the drain while you’re cleaning your engagement ring and it washes down the sink, you’ll probably wish you had renters insurance with Extra Coverage.

Ready to say “I do!” to peace of mind? Click below to start your free quote.

FAQs

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A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.