Caring For Your Wedding Band: A Guide

Your wedding band is a meaningful piece of jewellery that you'll want to keep in good condition for years to come. To ensure your ring lasts a lifetime, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to get regular check-ups and cleanings from a professional jeweller. This will help identify any potential issues, such as loose settings or worn prongs. In between these check-ups, you can clean your ring at home using warm water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Avoid harsh chemicals and be sure to dry your ring thoroughly after cleaning. When storing your ring, place it in a separate soft compartment or container to prevent scratches. Additionally, it's a good idea to remove your ring during high-impact activities or when exposed to chemicals or moisture to avoid damage.

Clean regularly with mild soap and warm water

Regularly cleaning your wedding band is essential to maintaining its integrity and ensuring it stays in tip-top shape. Warm water and mild soap are key to this process, and you should aim to clean your ring once a week to prevent a build-up of oil, debris, and dirt that can affect its shine.

Firstly, fill a bowl with warm water and add a mild liquid soap or detergent-free soap. Avoid using bleach, chlorine, acetone, baking soda, or toothpaste, as these harsh chemicals can damage the metal and gemstones in your ring. You should also avoid powdered cleaners, as these can erode the metal and discolour your ring.

Let your ring soak in the warm soapy water for 20 to 30 minutes. This will help to loosen any built-up grime and make it easier to remove. After soaking, gently scrub your ring with a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove any remaining dirt or residue. Be careful not to use a hard-bristled brush, as this can scratch your ring. Focus on areas where hairspray, lotion, makeup, or perfume may have built up.

Once you've finished scrubbing, rinse your ring thoroughly under warm running water to remove any remaining soap or dirt. If needed, repeat the entire process. Finally, dry your ring with a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid letting your ring air dry, as this can leave water spots.

By regularly cleaning your wedding band with mild soap and warm water, you can keep it looking shiny and new for years to come.

Avoid harsh chemicals

Avoiding harsh chemicals is a key part of caring for your wedding band.

Firstly, it's important to avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning your wedding band. It is recommended to use warm water and a mild soap or detergent to clean your ring. You can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub away any dirt or imperfections. It is advised to avoid bleach, chlorine, and acetone when cleaning your ring, as these chemicals can break down the metal in the band and compromise its structure. Other chemicals to avoid include hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, as these can also damage the metal and cause scratches.

In addition to the cleaning products, it is also important to avoid exposure to harsh chemicals in general. This includes activities such as swimming in chlorinated pools or using hand sanitizers or other cleaning solutions that contain harsh chemicals. If you work in an industry where you are regularly exposed to harsh chemicals, it is recommended to wear rubber gloves to protect your ring.

It is also important to avoid certain cleaning methods that can be too harsh on your wedding band. For example, ultrasonic cleaners are not recommended as the vigorous movement can cause stones to become loose and fall out. Similarly, it is advised to avoid using hard-bristled toothbrushes or scrub pads, as these can scratch the metal or setting and lower the value of your ring.

Overall, it is important to be gentle and patient when cleaning your wedding band to avoid causing any damage. By avoiding harsh chemicals and using recommended cleaning methods, you can help maintain the integrity and sparkle of your ring for years to come.

Get annual check-ups from a jeweller

Wedding bands are often among the most meaningful pieces of jewellery a person will ever wear. They are symbols of love and commitment, meant to be worn for a lifetime and perhaps passed down to future generations. As such, it is important to care for them properly.

One way to do this is to get annual check-ups from a jeweller. At least once a year, take your wedding band to a jeweller for an inspection and cleaning. They will check for loose settings, worn prongs, and other potential issues. For example, they can determine if the prongs are worn or catching on fabric, which could lead to a lost stone. This type of preventive care can ensure that your jewellery remains in optimal condition.

During the check-up, the jeweller can also provide tips on how to clean and care for your wedding band at home between visits. For instance, they may recommend using warm water and a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your ring, avoiding harsh chemicals that could damage the metal. They can also advise on how to store your ring properly when not in use, such as keeping it in a separate soft compartment or the original ring box to prevent scratches.

Additionally, a jeweller can assess the need for any repairs or adjustments. For example, if your ring has become loose or misshapen, they can perform the necessary repairs to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. They can also advise on any maintenance that may be required, such as rhodium plating for white gold rings to maintain their colour.

By getting an annual check-up for your wedding band, you can ensure that it remains in good condition and retain its sparkle for years to come. This small investment of time and money can provide peace of mind and help extend the life of your precious jewellery.

Store separately in soft containers

When storing your wedding band, it is important to place it in a separate soft container. This is because storing jewellery together can cause scratches. For example, rings placed together on a ring holder or in a jewellery dish will likely stack on top of each other, which can cause damage.

If you have a 14K gold wedding band, it is particularly important to store it away from other jewellery as gold is a relatively soft metal that can easily scratch. You could even keep it in its original ring box to preserve its pristine condition.

If you have a wooden wedding band, it is also important to keep it away from other jewellery as the sealant can scratch and wear down.

To avoid scratches, you should also avoid hanging necklaces, as this can cause them to stretch.

Avoid wearing during high-impact activities

Wedding bands are often made from precious metals and stones, and while they are built to last, they are not indestructible. It is important to care for your wedding band by avoiding wearing it during high-impact activities such as sports and workouts. This is because, during these activities, your ring is more likely to get caught on something or someone, which could lead to a serious injury called "ring avulsion". Ring avulsion occurs when a ring gets caught and applies tension force to the finger, which can lead to amputation.

It is also worth noting that wearing your ring during workouts can lead to a buildup of calluses on your hand, which can be uncomfortable. Additionally, the weights and machinery used in workouts can damage the ring itself by bending or scratching it.

Swimming is another high-impact activity that you should avoid wearing your wedding band during. The cold temperature of the water can cause your fingers to shrink, which may cause the ring to slip off without you noticing. Chlorine and other pool chemicals can also damage the metal of your ring and dull any precious stones.

Other activities that may be considered high-impact include gardening, baking, and operating machinery. These activities can result in dirt and residue getting stuck in the crevices of your ring, damaging it over time. Operating machinery while wearing a metal ring can also be dangerous, as the ring could get caught and cause injury.

To avoid these issues, it is recommended to remove your wedding band before engaging in any high-impact activities. This will ensure the safety of your ring, your fingers, and yourself.

Frequently asked questions