It doesn’t take long for an engagement ring to begin losing its sparkle. That shouldn’t be too surprising if you’re wearing it every day. The fact is, your ring will eventually get dirty over time and begin to lose its shine unless carefully cleaned on a regular basis. So, how often should you be cleaning your engagement ring – or bringing it in to be cleaned?

Well, as far professionally cleaning your engagement ring, most experts recommend bring it in once or twice a year. At home, you should be cleaning your ring far more often. Most recommend cleaning your ring at least once a week but you may want to consider cleaning it more often. Using your everyday dish soap and warm water with a soft sponge will usually do the trick.

Why Cleaning Fine Jewelry is Important

Keeping your ring sparkling with a lustrous shine is great, but that’s not the only reason you should clean your ring on a regular basis. No matter what kind of lifestyle you live, everyday activities such as using your phone, putting on lotion, or cooking all lead to a buildup of bacteria, dirt, and grime. When not kept clean, your ring can act as a safe haven for bacteria and dirt which can lead to skin irritations, allergic reactions, and can even cause scratches on the stones and metal. If left uncleaned for long periods of time, the dirt and bacteria can even cause permanent discoloration to the metal.

While it is important to keep your fine jewelry clean, you’ll also want to avoid rigorous scrubbing or harsh chemicals when cleaning your ring at home. Being too aggressive with the cleaning can also damage the metal and stones. You’ll also want to speak with your local jeweler and engagement ring expert about the safest methods of cleaning your ring at home. Some stones and metals may be more sensitive to cleaning so you’ll want to make sure you know what soaps and methods you should and shouldn’t use when cleaning.