Because a wedding ring or engagement ring is usually very expensive and has a lot of meaningful value, it’s important that you do everything within your power to keep it looking good and in overall good condition. However, even by doing your normal activities, you could be putting your ring through the proverbial ringer. Once the integrity of your ring has been compromised, it often becomes much easier to discolor, chip, or have loose settings. So to ensure your wedding or engagement ring stays beautiful, here are three tips for keeping your ring in the best possible condition.
Be Careful When Lifting Heavy Items
To ensure that your ring isn’t given to unnecessary stress on its band or the prongs that hold the stones in, Lilah Nicolaidis, a contributor to The Knot, recommends that you be very careful when you’re lifting heavy items with your ring hand. If you’re holding something heavy with the hand your ring is on, that added weight can cause a lot of stress to your ring. It can make the band loose or cause the setting to get dislodged, which could cause you to eventually lose the stone out of the setting if you’re not careful. So before you lift anything too heavy, consider taking your ring off for a few seconds.
Regularly Clean Your RIng At Home
While it’s good to get your ring professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well, you can clean your ring at home on an even more regular basis to keep it looking clean and sparkly. There are quite a few ways you can safely clean your ring at home. According to Martha Stewart Weddings, one of the best ways to clean your ring at home is to soak your ring in a mixture of warm water and a mild dishwashing liquid. Once it’s soaked for a short time, take a soft-bristled toothbrush to it to help buff off any unwanted dirt, grime, or oil. Just be careful not to use anything too abrasive on your ring or to be too rough with it when scrubbing it.
Create A Safe Place When Removing Your Ring
Because there are some things that you’re going to want to remove your ring for, it’s important that you have a place that you can safely keep your ring so it doesn’t get damaged or lost when it’s not on your finger. To help with this, AnneMarie Salt, a contributor to Brides.com, recommends keeping some strategically-placed ring dishes around your home. Place on by your bed, by the bathroom sink, and in your kitchen. Because these are the rooms where you’ll most likely be taking off your ring, you’ll now have a safe place to always put it so you don’t forget where you’ve placed it.
If you’re unsure about how to take the best care of your wedding or engagement ring, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you do just that.
