How to Stop Bacteria from Building Up in Your Engagement Ring?
It’s not a pleasant thought to ponder, but the jewelry we wear can accumulate bacteria that can end up being detrimental to our health. This is especially true of rings.
Engagement rings with jewels are particularly prone to this problem due to the delicate intricacies of both the mount and stones.
But before you start to worry that you might need to wear your engagement ring less often, we’re here to reassure you. There are things you can do to prevent the bacteria from building up in the first place.
Be Careful When Washing Hands
Everyone knows that washing your hands regularly is essential for your health. If you wear your engagement ring every day, that probably means you take it off before you wash your hands.
But you have to be careful about where you put your ring. It could pick up bacteria that will likely multiply. For that reason, be sure to rinse off your engagement ring with some warm water, and gently dry it before putting back on your finger.
Avoid Thick Hand Lotions
Hand lotions and engagement rings aren’t always the best combination, as some lotions with a thick texture take a little longer to absorb.
For that reason, the lotion residue can increase the risk of dirt and bacteria build-up. It might not seem like a big deal, but this can damage your engagement ring over time.
If your ring is white gold or platinum, thick hand lotions are even a more significant problem because they can discolor the band. If possible, opt for a more moisturizing and light hand cream or lotion because it will be kinder to your hands and your engagement ring.
Remove Your Engagement Ring During Hands-On Activities
Your engagement ring isn’t the type of jewelry you only wear from time to time. It’s a physical representation of love, devotion, and commitment. As such, it’s meant to remind you of those things every day.
As a precious object, it’s essential to prevent bacteria and other damaging agents from affecting it. When you’re cooking or cleaning, therefore, it’s a good idea to take your engagement ring off. Handling meat, for example, is ill-advised with your engagement ring on your finger.
Also, when gardening, applying a lot of makeup (very important), grooming your pets, remember to place your engagement ring elsewhere to avoid contamination.
Don’t Remove Your Engagement Ring in Public
There are certain occasions when removing your ring is absolutely not a good call. Most people wouldn’t dream of removing their ring in a public place for fear of losing it.
But if you want to avoid damaging your ring, you should remove it temporarily. If so, avoid table surfaces in restaurants, restrooms in general, and even the yoga studio you frequent.
Use Ring Dishes in Your Home
A practical approach to ensure your engagement ring never suffers from bacteria accumulation is to allocate ring dishes around your home.
Understandably, you might be a little bit hesitant to consider this idea if your engagement ring is very valuable. In that case, we suggest you place it back in its case each time you take it off.
But overall, having several strategically located ring dishes will ensure that your engagement ring never gets dirty. You’d be surprised how quickly you get used to this concept. You can apply it to all types of rings and jewelry you own.
Try Not to Touch the Stone Too Much
We totally get it – you can’t help but admire your stunning engagement ring. Whether it’s a vintage engagement ring or something more modern in style, you might find touching the luxurious texture of the stone hard to resist.
The problem is that unless you’ve just washed your hands, you don’t really know if any bacteria is lurking, which you’ll then transfer to your engagement ring.
Either try not to touch your ring, and the stone in particular, too often, or make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly first.
Use Your Engagement Ring Warranty
Your engagement ring probably has a warranty. But not many people make the most of it. Often your warranty means that you can schedule appointments with your jeweler for regular maintenance.
This involves assessing if the rock is firmly in place and if it’s time to clean the ring. Also, whether you’re wearing a beautiful Art Deco engagement ring or something more low-key but equally stunning, ring insurance is a must nowadays. Of course, sentimental value is something insurance money can’t replace, but it will still help you sleep a little easier at night.
Learn How to Clean Your Engagement Ring at Home
The only bulletproof way to make sure that bacteria doesn’t build up in your engagement ring is to clean it regularly. You don’t have to wash your jewelry as often as you wash your clothes, but it’s still necessary.
Some gentle soap and warm water are always the best choices, regardless of what type of engagement ring you have. Those with more sophisticated designs might benefit from an overnight soak too.
The essential thing to keep in mind is to steer clear of harsh chemicals of any kind. But if you’re more comfortable bringing your ring to a professional, that’s always a good strategy.
Keeping the Germs Away from Your Beautiful Engagement Ring
It might seem like there are too many rules about what to do and what not to do to prevent bacteria build-up on your engagement ring. But the main focus is on avoiding potentially contaminated surfaces and maintaining hand hygiene.
Remember to take your ring off when cooking and gardening. Don’t be afraid to utilize the concept of ring dishes to the fullest. Also, you might want to buy engagement ring insurance. And like we said, be sure to make the most of the warranty. More than anything, never forget to enjoy how that gorgeous ring makes you feel.
Meta description: Your engagement ring requires regular maintenance to prevent bacteria build-up. Follow these tips to ensure that it’s always clean.
