1 Inspect your wedding ring regularly
This may sound like a simple tip but worth your consideration. If you inspect your wedding ring every so often you can easily check on its condition. It will only take you a second or two to inspect your ring regularly but this can make a big difference in the long run. So what do you need to look out for when inspecting your wedding ring? Firstly check for any build up of soap or general grime inside the ring, around any stones or inscription. Check to see that your wedding ring is still round by holding it up to the light and rolling it in your fingers. If your ring has become misshapen have you been wearing it during heavy duty activities? Feel your wedding ring for any sharp edges.
2 Clean your ring with warm soapy water
During your inspection, see paragraph above, you may have noted that you need to clean your wedding ring. It is very easy to clean your wedding ring at home and you don’t need any specialist equipment. Fill a bowl with warm water and add a small amount of detergent, I recommend using a sensitive or fragrance free washing up liquid or an eco friendly alternative. Then using an old soft bristled tooth brush scrub your wedding ring inside and out with the warm soapy water. Once your ring looks clean rinse it in clean water and dry it with kitchen paper or a soft cloth. If this method of cleaning your wedding ring at home doesn’t work you can always contact myself or a jeweller to have it professionally cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaner or steam cleaner.
3 Buff your ring with a polishing cloth
Every couple who makes their wedding rings with me receives a complementary gold polishing cloth or silver polishing cloth. If you made your wedding rings with me then remember to keep your polishing cloth somewhere to hand. The polishing cloth is easy to use. Before you start, your wedding ring must be dry. Take the polishing cloth out of the packet and rub it on your wedding ring. Applying a little pressure onto your wedding ring with the cloth will speed up the cleaning process. Work your way around the inside and outside or your wedding ring with the polishing cloth to bring back the sparkle!
4 Protect your ring from harmful chemicals
Some chemicals found in your home are not good for your wedding ring. Care must be taken to avoid some chemicals getting onto your ring. Either take your ring off or wear gloves when using chemicals that may damage your silver or gold wedding ring. Chemicals that you should take extra care with are bleach, clothes washing detergent, nail varnish remover, toothpaste and baking soda. If you accidentally get any of these chemicals on your wedding ring, wash it with plenty of fresh water and then clean your ring in warm soapy water as detailed above.
5 Hand sanitiser is a big no! no!
During the pandemic we all got used to slathering our hands in sanitiser but did you know that hand sanitiser is not good for your wedding ring. Always remove your ring before applying hand sanitiser or hand lotions and let your hands dry before putting it back on again. Your ring may become dull or tarnished after contact with some hand products. If in doubt avoid the contact.
6 Store your ring in a specific container
Once you get used to taking your ring off for certain activities why not have a dedicated container to put your wedding ring in or on. For example you could have a lush wedding ring dish by the sink where you wash up? Or a wedding ring box by your bed? Set up a waterproof dish by the shower? Make sure your wedding ring dish or box is made of a protective material that is less hard than your wedding ring. This will protect your wedding ring from scratching.
7 Swim with your ring on at your peril!
There are 2 valuable reasons you need to know. Learn from my mistake here, don’t swim with your ring on! Firstly, the cold water makes your fingers contract and the water itself acts as a lubricant and will make the ring slide off very easily. Secondly, the chlorine in a swimming pool, spa pool, jacuzzi or similar will tarnish your wedding ring. I’m still saddened by the loss of the first ring I ever made, lost in the sea near Portsmouth somewhere.
8 Take off your ring before heavy duty activities
It is a really good idea to take off your ring before heavy duty activities. This might be the most important point in this care guide for your wedding ring. The reason this is especially important is where it could fall off and be lost. Also, using tools or machinery can damage your ring or loosen stones on your ring. The kind of activities you should take your ring off for are DIY, gardening, manual labour, bouldering/climbing, adrenaline activities, clearing drains and taking out the rubbish. I have heard too many stories of wedding rings and engagement rings being lost or damaged in this way. Please take a mental note.
9 Avoid removing your ring in public places
Right, here comes a slight contradiction, having told you to take your ring off in various scenarios, I’m now telling you not to take your ring off in public places. I particularly mean do not take your ring off in a public toilet when washing your hands. I’ve had customers accidentally forget to put it back on and then it’s gone and lost forever. You do not want the cost of replacing that ring and if you’ve made your own wedding ring it is irreplaceable. If you really must remove your ring in this situation I recommend safely storing your ring in an inside zip pocket of your jacket prior to going into the public toilet. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
10 Insure your wedding ring
For your peace of mind, why not insure your wedding ring? The same goes for your engagement ring. Take lots of photos of your rings, from different angles and keep them somewhere safe. You may be able to add your rings to your home insurance. For more advice on this I recommend contacting your insurance provider.
