From makeup and lotions to cooking oils and garden dirt, your diamond ring can get so dirty that it becomes dull and lifeless, and who wants to wear a ring like that?
It’s absolutely critical that you regularly deep clean your ring to remove that dirt layer. However, professional cleanings at a jeweler can get expensive, and soap and water can be insufficient to get a ring clean. As such, many people resorted to using Windex to clean their rings.
So, if you’re interested in learning how to clean a diamond ring using Windex, keep on reading.
How to Clean Your Diamond Rings with Windex
First off, get a shallow bowl and place your diamond ring in it. Then all you need, cleaning ring with windex is by spraying the ring with Windex until all its sides are covered. Leave the ring sitting for 10-15 minutes, then bring out a very soft toothbrush and gently scrub away until all dirt is removed. Finally, rinse your ring under warm water, dry it with a soft cloth, and give your ring a final polish.
If you’d like to go the extra mile, then apply a 50/50 solution of Windex and hydrogen peroxide to your ring. The Windex will do its job of removing the accumulated build-up, and the hydrogen peroxide will kill any lingering bacteria.
Note: Make sure to wear gloves while cleaning your ring, as Windex and hydrogen peroxide can both be quite drying on the skin.
Should You Clean Your Diamond Ring with Windex?
There’s no reason not to. You can use Windex or any other glass cleaner on platinum, gold, or sterling silver jewelry that contains diamonds with no worries. The Windex will lift the dirt and oil residues right off, and your diamond jewelry will be as shiny as new.
However, this only applies if your diamonds are set in gold, white gold, silver, or platinum. If you try to use Windex on other metals, they’ll become discolored due to the alcohol in the Windex.
Similarly, if you try using Windex on soft jewels and gemstones like pearls or emeralds, it’s bound to damage their integrity and appearance. So, if you’re planning on using Windex, stick to jewelry that has diamonds placed on a base of silver, gold, or platinum.
How to Clean Your Diamond Ring at Home with Windex and Dawn?
Another way to return your ring to its original sparkle is by cleaning it with a mix of Windex and the Dawn dish soap. The combination of the two will remove any debris, makeup residue, perfume, lotions, or oils without damaging the ring.
And you have two options when it comes to cleaning your engagement with these two detergents, either using them back-to-back or in combination.
If you’re going with the first option, get your Dawn dish soap and place a few drops into a small cup or shot glass filled with very warm water. Next, drop your ring inside, let it soak anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes, then brush the metal and stones using a soft toothbrush to remove any dirt.
Afterward, rinse the ring under warm running water and dry it well using a lint-free cloth. Lastly, if you find any leftover dirt, clean your ring with Windex following the above steps, and your ring will have its lovely bling back.
Alternatively, if you’d like to cut down on the cleaning time, you can fill a microwave-safe dish with two cups of Windex and a few drops of Dawn. Microwave this mixture for a minute, making sure all the jewelry is left outside to prevent any accidents.
Then, once the mixture is slightly hot, put your ring into it and allow the ring to soak. Lastly, follow the brushing, rinsing, and drying steps above.
Best Way to Clean Rings: Will Windex Hurt My Diamond Ring?
As we mentioned, as long as your diamond ring is made of precious metals like gold, silver, or platinum, Windex will be great to use on your ring; it won’t damage the metal or the diamonds, and it’ll leave your ring looking squeaky clean.
Still, though we say Windex is okay to use on hard gemstones like diamonds, it’s best to avoid using Windex on vintage diamonds that have been through the wringer.
This’s because these stones can have multiple chips and cracks that may not withstand the harsh chemicals found in Windex. So in that a case, it’d be much better to clean your engagement ring with some mild soap and a soft brush.
Also, keep in mind that if your diamond engagement ring has other soft, colored stones like emeralds, opals, and pearls, they won’t come out unscathed from the Windex cleaning ordeal.
What Is the Fastest Way to Clean a Diamond Ring?
Using an ultrasonic cleaner is the fastest way to clean your diamond engagement ring. The process can be as short as a minute or two, and you don’t have to do any work except place your tarnished silver ring in the machine.
Still, ultrasonic cleaners have the unfortunate disadvantage of making diamonds come loose or even fall off due to the sound waves they emit. So, we only recommend using these machines at a professional jeweler store to guarantee the safety of your engagement ring.
Now, if you’re looking to clean your engagement ring at home, we highly recommend using a jewelry cleaner; it’ll clean your ring with the greatest ease and in just a few minutes. However, take care that chemical or abrasive cleaners can tarnish and scratch your ring, so you should opt for non-abrasive and chemical-free jewelry cleaners.
Can You Clean a Diamond Ring with Vinegar?
Absolutely. You can make yourself an inexpensive, DIY jewelry cleaner by mixing baking soda and vinegar. This mixture can remove any build-up on your engagement ring due to its effervescence effect.
Simply get half a cup of white vinegar and two tablespoons of baking soda, mix the two together in a small bowl until a paste is formed, then throw your engagement ring into the final mix. If the baking soda hasn’t completely dissolved, you can add some warm water to the paste until you get a smooth consistency.
Let the ring soak for two to three hours, then rinse it under cold water. And make sure your sink’s drain is closed or covered to avoid any unfortunate accidents! Once you’re done washing your diamond ring, use a soft cloth to dry it well or leave it to air dry.
One last thing to note is that the vinegar/baking soda mixture is quite abrasive. So you shouldn’t scrub your ring with it during the cleaning process, or you’ll risk scratching the diamond.
How Often Should You Clean Your Engagement Ring?
On average, you should clean your ring about once a week and more frequently if you regularly practice activities like gardening and cooking.
These regular cleaning sessions will prevent germs and dirt from accumulating on your ring and forming a stubborn layer that’s hard to remove. Additionally, you’ll be able to regularly inspect your ring for any loose stones to prevent any irrecoverable losses.
Still, even with the once-a-week cleaning session, you should also get your ring professionally cleaned at your local jeweler about once a year.
What Happens if You Don’t Clean Your Ring?
Quite simply, your diamond engagement ring will lose its shine, thus losing what makes it beautiful. Moreover, if enough dirt piles up under and around the diamonds, it’ll gradually begin to loosen them due to the increasing pressure. Then, one day, you’ll have nothing but an empty setting! Even worse, the bacteria that took residence on your ring could cause skin irritation and infection.
What to Avoid when Cleaning Jewelry
- Don’t use common household cleaners like chlorine, bleach, and acetone as they can break down the metal of your band and cause pitting and dulling. This is especially true in gold alloys.
- Don’t scrub your ring with toothpaste, baking soda, or other powdered cleaners to avoid scratching your engagement ring.
- Avoid using jewelry cleaners with abrasives or harsh chemicals.
- Don’t use ultrasonic cleaners if you can help it.
- Don’t leave your engagement ring soaking overnight to avoid any potential damage.
- Don’t use any chemicals on rings that have soft gemstones.
- Refrain from hard scrubbing to avoid scraping your ring or knocking the stones loose. Instead, gently brush your ring with a soft-bristle toothbrush and rinse it under lukewarm water.
- Avoid dark ale beer on diamonds as it can discolor them.
FAQs – Cleaning Jewelry with Windex
How Do You Clean a Diamond Ring at Home?
To clean your diamond ring at home, you can soak it for five minutes in witch hazel or white vinegar for a deeper clean. After soaking, scrub it gently with soap or a vinegar solution and rinse in warm running water. Dry your rings with a soft cotton cloth or let them air dry in a safe place.
How Do I Make My Diamond Ring Sparkle?
To make your diamond ring sparkle, use a toothbrush to gently clean the diamonds, then rinse them off. The result will be beautiful, clean, and perfect diamonds, sometimes even better than professional cleaning.
How to Clean Diamond Ring with Baking Soda?
Baking soda is an effective and gentle cleaning agent for your engagement ring. To clean your precious piece, create a mixture of baking soda and warm water to form a paste. Gently rub the paste onto the ring, ensuring every nook and cranny is covered. Once done, rinse off the paste with water or use a lint-free cloth to dry the ring.
How to Clean Engagement Ring with Windex?
Using Windex is another option for cleaning your diamond engagement ring. Start by placing your ring in a shallow dish and spray it with Windex, ensuring the ring is evenly coated. Allow the Windex to set for a moment. Then, using a soft brush, gently scrub away any accumulated dirt or grime on the ring. This method can help restore the sparkle and shine of your engagement ring.
What Household Items Can I Use to Clean My Diamond Ring?
You can clean your diamond ring using plain soap and water, regardless of the metal type. Mix equal parts warm water and gentle dishwashing soap in a bowl and soak the ring for 20 to 40 minutes. Use a soft brush to remove buildup from hairspray, lotion, makeup, perfume, and other substances.
Final Thoughts
Windex can be an easy and effective way to clean your diamond ring at home. To use it, simply put your ring in a small dish, cover it with Windex for a few minutes, and you’ll be done after a quick rinse and dry.
The only thing you need to take care of is noting whether your ring has any soft gemstones or non-precious metals that can get damaged by the chemicals in Windex.