How to Keep Your Wedding Rings Sparkling: Top Tips from a Professional Jeweler

You’ve designed the engagement ring of your dreams and found the perfect wedding band to complement it — and you. But after a few weeks of wear, your set might have lost some of its shine. Thanks to everyday life, like washing your hands, applying lotion, doing chores, even sleeping, this is totally normal. But there’s a lot of advice online on how to clean your rings…how do you know what’s actually safe for your forever pieces? Here’s the cleaning tips and tricks that we know and trust to keep your rings sparkly. 

Clean your rings at home weekly 

The easiest step to keep your rings sparkly is to do a quick, 15-minute clean each week. This is the simple cleaning routine we recommend to all our clients: 

1. Mix up hot (not boiling) water and some dish soap in a bowl. 
2. Lower your rings in and let them sit in the mixture for 10 minutes. 
3. Grab a soft-bristle toothbrush and gently scrub to lift any remaining dirt
4. Rinse 

For bonus points, use the steam wand on your coffee machine to blow away all of those extra little grimy bits. (Plus, it’s a good reason to buy a fancy coffee machine?!) 

Take your rings off 

We love how many women want to wear their rings 24/7, but we’ll be honest: the I’m-sleeping-in-my-wedding-set era is actually making your rings dirtier faster. Instead, slip your rings into a cute ring dish when you’re doing chores, cooking, washing dishes, working out, even in the shower. 

This will not only keep your rings safe from accidentally slipping down the drain, but reduce the amount of dirt your rings will be exposed to. Keep a ring dish by the kitchen and bathroom sinks, on your bedside table, and anywhere else you would take them off to keep them safe. 

Get a professional ring cleaning once a year 

Taking your rings in to get a professional inspection and cleaning from a jeweler at least once a year is key to their longevity. This quick service typically takes around 15 to 30 minutes and includes: 

• Checking to make sure the stones and settings are secure
• Inspection for any damage or issues 
• A deep clean with ultrasonic cleaner to remove dirt and a polish to make the ring look sparkly again 

Two different types of ring cleaning might feel a little excessive, but trust us: professional ring cleaning can do what the weekly in-home routine can’t. Jewelers have the tools to get deep into the piece without causing any damage and blast away the dirt that was dimming its shine. 

Make it easy

We get it…your to-do list is already packed. Here’s a few tips to make adding these engagement ring maintenance tasks to your routine easy. 

• Do your weekly ring cleaning routine every Monday (or whatever day works for you) while your coffee brews. Then give the stones a quick blast with the steam wand, rinse, and start your day with a little extra sparkle. 
• Find ring dishes you love. Thrift stores often have unique dishes you can use. We also adore this one from Etsy.
• Turn your professional ring cleaning errand into a date. Head to a nice lunch with your husband or turn it into a self-care date by getting a manicure on the way home. (There’s no better way to show off that polished-to-a-shine sparkle than fresh nails!)

Taking care of your engagement ring and wedding band is key to keeping your pieces sparkling long-term. If you have questions on caring for your piece or want to learn more about designing your own, reach out anytime!