How to Clean All Your Rings at Home

If you have sentimental or expensive pieces of jewelry, you want to make sure you keep them in great shape for yourself and as potential heirlooms. Whether it’s your diamond engagement ring or an inherited ring, you want those babies to shine!

To keep your precious ring sparkly and eye-catching, you need to regularly clean it. Cleaning your ring, however, is not as simple as running it under the faucet and scrubbing it with whatever soap you have nearby. But it also doesn’t have to mean paying a professional jeweler every time.

One major thing to consider is, what material is your ring made of? Is it gold, silver, or platinum? Here is an extensive guide on how to clean your rings at home.

How To Clean Gold Ring Bands at Home

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If your ring is 24-karat gold, it means it is pure gold. Less than 24 karats simply means it’s mixed with alloys — which is still a great thing. If your gold ring is mixed with other metals or alloys, you can count on it being more durable and hard.

The best way to clean your gold ring is by using a cleaning solution product that is designed for gold jewelry. However, you can also simply clean your gold ring band (with no gemstones) at home by following this easy guide.

What You Need:

• Small bowl
• Liquid dish soap
• Lukewarm water or sparkling water
• A soft-bristle toothbrush or cotton bud
• Soft cloth
• Beer (optional)

The Process: Cleaning Your Gold Ring Band

1. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water. Sparkling water is best.
2. Squirt a few drops of your liquid dish soap or other mild soap into the bowl of lukewarm water. Gently mix.
3. Soak your gold band in the solution for 30 minutes. This process will remove hard-to-reach grease and dirt.
4. With your soft-bristle toothbrush or cotton bud, gently wipe away the remaining dirt from your ring. Be careful not to scrub hard, as gold is a soft metal and you might damage it. Do not use a hard-bristle as it can scratch your gold.
5. Rinse the ring with gentle running water (warm water), and dry it with a soft cloth, preferably a microfiber cloth.
6. This is optional. If your gold ring has lost its sheen, you can pour a few drops of beer onto a soft cloth. Then gently rub the surface of the ring. Then, dry the ring with a soft cloth.

PSA: If you are cleaning over a sink, cover the drain or plug it, so as not to lose your ring if it accidentally slips from your grasp.

How To Clean Gold Rings With Glued-in Gems

If there are gemstones glued into your gold ring band, do not soak your ring into the bowl of the solution. Instead, dip a soft cloth into the same soapy solution. With the damp cloth, gently wipe clean your ring with gemstones.

You could also use a cotton bud to wipe the nooks and crannies of the ring. Just be careful not to use a toothbrush and scrub the ring, as the gemstones might loosen and fall off.

To remove the soap suds, use a cloth or cotton bud soaked in warm water. Do not be tempted to wash the ring under running water, as it can loosen the gemstones.

How To Clean Silver Rings at Home

If your ring is fine silver, it means it is pure silver. But if your ring is sterling silver, it is mixed with 10% copper or another metal. Like gold, if combined with alloy, it becomes more durable and sturdy.

What You Need:

• Small bowl
• Liquid dish soap
• Warm water 
• Cold water
• Lint-free cloth

The Process: Cleaning Your Silver Ring Band

1. Fill a bowl with warm water.
2. Squirt a few drops of your dishwashing soap into the bowl of warm water. Gently mix.
3. Dip your ring in the warm, soapy solution.
4. With your soft lint-free cloth, gently scrub the ring to remove all the grease and dirt. Be careful not to scrub hard. Your ring should now be filled with soap suds.
5. Rinse the ring with cold water.
6. Dry and buff it with a clean and soft cloth, preferably a microfiber cloth.

Other Methods of Removing Tarnish From Your Silver Ring Band

It is natural for your silver ring to tarnish over time. This is due to light and air exposure. If tarnish is stubborn despite the cleaning steps above, here are alternative methods to remove it for good:

Method 1: Baking Soda Paste

What You Need:

• 15g of baking soda
• Warm water
• Soft-bristled toothbrush
• Cloths

Process:

1. On a small plate, pour the 15g of baking soda.
2. Add enough water to your baking soda to create a paste.
3. Dip your old toothbrush or cloth into the paste, then gently scrub your silver band ring.
4. Rinse under warm water.
5. With a damp cloth, remove paste residue if there is any.
6. Dry with a soft clean cloth.

Method 2: Lemon Juice and Olive Oil

What You Need:

• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1.5 cups olive oil
• Soft cloth

Process:

1. In a small bowl, mix lemon juice and olive oil.
2. Dip your soft cloth into the simple solution. Make sure to remove excess solution.
3. Polish your silver ring

Method 3: Ketchup

What You Need:

• Ketchup
• Soft-bristle toothbrush
• Lukewarm water

Process:

1. In a small bowl, pour a small dollop of ketchup. Dab the toothbrush in it.
2. Gently scrub clean your silver ring until clean.
3. Wash off the ketchup with lukewarm water.
4. Dry the ring with a soft cloth.

How To Clean Platinum Ring Bands at Home

Platinum is more durable than gold. Over time, your platinum ring band will develop patina — or a soft finish. The dirt and grime found on your platinum ring is from your daily use of hand creams, soap, as well as sweat and other elements.

What You Need:

• Small bowl
• Mild liquid dish soap
• Lukewarm water 
• Cold water

The Process: Cleaning Your Platinum Ring Band

1. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water.
2. Squirt a few drops of dish soap or detergent into the bowl of lukewarm water. Gently mix.
3. Let your platinum ring soak in the soapy solution for 30 minutes.
4. With your soft toothbrush, gently scrub off the grime from your ring.
5. Rinse the ring with cold water.
6. Air dry.

How To Clean Ring With Diamonds and Other Gemstones

This can be a delicate matter, as not all gemstones have the same physical properties. Every gemstone is unique and differs in reaction to light, heat, acids, and scratching.

For best results, consult a professional to identify your gem and approve special processes for care and maintenance. They should be able to tell you whether you can perform a thorough cleaning at home or whether it needs to go to a jewelry store.

Diamond Ring

1. Fill a bowl with warm water.
2. Squirt a few drops of your liquid dish soap or detergent into the bowl of warm water. Gently mix.
3. Soak your diamond ring into the mixture of warm water and soap for 40 minutes.
4. With your soft brush, gently scrub off the grime from your ring.
5. Air dry, or gently pat with a soft cloth. This process will also work for diamond earrings.

Other Gemstones

If you cannot consult a professional, here is the safest way to clean your ring with gemstones.

1. Fill a bowl with warm water.
2. Squirt a few drops of mild dish soap into the bowl of warm water. Make sure that the detergent is ammonia-free. Gently mix.
3. Soak your ring in the solution for several minutes.
4. With your soft-bristle toothbrush, gently scrub.
5. With a wooden toothpick, gently remove stubborn grime and dirt. Be slow and careful. Then dip again into the solution.
6. Rinse with warm water— the temperature similar to the solution.
7. Gently shake the ring to remove excess water.
8. Dry the ring with a soft cloth.

General Care Tips for Your Ring

When To Clean Your Ring

How often should you clean your ring? To maintain the sparkle and generally keep your ring looking its best, you need to clean your ring once or twice a week.

That regular cleaning will help to avoid buildup of debris. It would be a good idea, though, to take your ring to a professional cleaner at least twice a year.

Choosing A Professional Cleaner

How to choose a professional cleaner? The easiest way to find the right place to clean a ring is to use someone affiliated with the store where you bought your ring.

Otherwise, choose cleaners with ample years of experience, who can answer all your questions, and who are clearly knowledgeable of your ring. Professional cleaning can cost between $25 and $50.

Damage and Buildup Prevention

How to prevent damage and buildup on your ring? Clean it regularly, once or twice a week. Take it to a professional cleaner twice a year.

Make sure to remove your ring when using hand lotions or creams, or if you are doing major cleaning and handiwork. Your ring, unfortunately, is delicate jewelry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use an ultrasonic cleaner?

Best to leave ultrasonic cleaners to a professional. Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners are used to remove heavy or stubborn dirt and grime, and only a professional should do it with this special tool to avoid damaging the stone, gems, or setting.

What if there are loose stones?

Avoid cleaning if there are loose stones. Take your ring to the jeweler first to get it fixed.

Can you clean rings with toothpaste?

Yes, it is safe to use toothpaste when cleaning your ring band. Use it gently and thoroughly. If your ring has gemstones, consult a professional if the specific stone can tolerate toothpaste.