Is Hand Sanitizer Bad for Your Engagement Ring?

While hand sanitizer is essential for maintaining hygiene, you might be surprised to learn that it can potentially harm your engagement ring. With the increased use of hand sanitizers and soaps over the past few years, your ring might be facing some unintended consequences. Here’s what you need to know to protect your ring while keeping your hands clean.

How Hand Sanitizer Affects Your Engagement Ring

Frequent use of hand sanitizers can lead to faster wear of the finish on white gold rings. Though it won’t cause immediate damage, over time, contact with hand sanitizers, rubbing alcohol, and other cleaning agents like chlorine and bleach can dull the brilliance of both metals and gemstones. This can result in your ring losing its shine—a problem that may not be easily reversed.

In addition to dulling your diamond’s sparkle, excessive hand sanitizer use can weaken the setting of your ring. The prongs holding your diamond in place might loosen, increasing the risk of losing your stone. So while hand sanitizer is great for keeping germs at bay, it’s not so friendly to your jewellery.

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How to Protect Your Engagement Ring

Even though hand sanitizer can negatively affect your ring, you don’t have to stop using it altogether. Health and hygiene are, of course, the priority. However, there are ways to protect your engagement ring while still keeping your hands clean.

• Remove Your Ring Before Applying Hand Sanitizer: The best approach is to take off your ring, apply hand sanitizer, wait for it to dry completely, and then put your ring back on. This will prevent the chemicals from coming into contact with the metal and stones.
• Wear Gloves When Cleaning: If you’re using harsh cleaning products, consider wearing gloves to protect your ring from exposure to chemicals that could cause further damage.
• Clean Your Ring Regularly: To maintain its shine and beauty, clean your engagement ring at least once a week. Soak it in warm water mixed with a little dishwashing soap, then gently scrub it with a soft toothbrush to remove any residue.

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By following these simple steps, you can enjoy the benefits of good hygiene without putting your engagement ring at risk. With a little extra care, your diamond will stay as sparkling as ever.