Most of us wear our wedding rings on a daily basis as a symbol of our vows to our partner. Very romantic, but frequent wear can cause dirt and grime to build up, making the rings dull and unsightly. Here are a few ways clean these precious rings and keep them sparkling.
Note: Before attempting to clean your rings at home, inspect it for any loose settings or damaged prongs. If you find any, consult a jeweler for repair right away.
Warm Soapy Water
Mix a tiny bit of mild dish washing detergent in a small bowl with warm water. Swish it around with your hands until it’s nice and sudsy. Dip your ring into the solution and using a soft brush, such as a baby toothbrush, clean away any accumulated dirt and oils. Take care not to brush too hard, as this can leave scratches.
Rinse thoroughly under warm running water, taking care not to let it fall down the drain. Dry with a soft, lint free cloth.
Ammonia Solution
An ammonia solution is good for cleaning diamonds; however do not use it on other gemstones, white gold or silver.
When working with ammonia, take care to work in a well ventilated room as the fumes are toxic. Make a solution of six parts water to one part ammonia in a bowl and place the ring inside. Again, using a soft bristled brush like a child’s toothbrush, clean the ring. Rinse and dry as instructed for soapy water. For especially dirty rings you can soak in a solution of equal parts water and ammonia for half an hour then clean as instructed above.
Ultrasonic Cleaners
Several manufacturers make ultrasonic jewelry cleaners that use water and gentle vibrations to shake the dirt free. Follow the instructions in the manual, then dry the jewelry. Beware, some stones and settings might not be suitable for cleaning in an ultrasonic cleaner so be sure to ask your jeweler first.
In just a few minutes with a small bit of elbow grease you can make your wedding rings as shiny as the day you first put them on.