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How to Care for Your Engagement Ring: When to Take It Off and Maintenance Tips
This guide shares expert-backed tips for daily maintenance and outlines when to remove your ring to prevent unnecessary wear, damage, or loss.
Why Engagement Ring Care Is Important
Engagement rings are designed to be durable, but they’re not indestructible. Even though diamonds are the hardest mineral on Earth, daily exposure to products like lotion, soap, or cleaning supplies can dull a diamond’s brilliance or wear down the metal setting over time.
Proactive ring care can:
- Preserve sparkle by preventing buildup of oil, dirt, and residue
- Protect the setting from damage, loosening, or premature wear
- Reduce risk of loss during activities like travel or exercise
Whether your ring features a natural diamond, lab grown diamond, or colored gemstone, proper care helps maintain both its beauty and integrity.
When to Take Off Your Engagement Ring
One of the best ways to protect your engagement ring is knowing when to take it off. While it may be tempting to wear your ring all day, certain situations can increase the risk of damage, dullness, or even loss. Here are key times to remove your engagement ring:
Daily Activities
- Remove Your Ring Before Sleeping: Wearing your ring while you sleep can cause the band to bend or prongs to loosen, especially if you are a restless sleeper. Additionally, it can snag on sheets or hair. To keep your ring in optimal condition, remove it before bedtime.
- Take Off Your Ring While Showering: Soap and shampoo can create a film on your diamond, dimming its shine. Remove your ring before stepping into the shower to keep it looking brilliant.
- Keep Your Ring Off While Cooking: Cooking can introduce bacteria and oils into the crevices of your ring. This can cause buildup and diminish its brilliance. Remove your ring before preparing food to keep it clean and sanitary.
- Set Aside Your Ring When Doing Dishes: Washing dishes can expose your engagement ring to harsh detergents and hot water, which can damage both the metal and the stone. There is also a risk of the ring slipping off and getting lost down the drain. Remove your ring before doing any dishwashing to prevent damage or loss.
Beauty & Personal Care
- Skip Wearing Your Ring During Beauty Routines: Lotions, creams, and cosmetics can leave a residue on your ring, dulling its shine and potentially damaging softer gemstones. Before applying any skincare or beauty products, remove your ring to keep it clean and free from buildup.
- Take Off Your Ring When Using Hand Sanitizer: Hand sanitizer contains alcohol and other chemicals that can dull the finish of your ring. We recommend removing your ring before applying hand sanitizer and waiting until your hands are dry before putting it back on. If you are in a public place or on the go and don't want to risk removing your ring, carefully apply the hand sanitizer around your ring.
Outdoor & Physical Activities
- Remove Your Ring Before Exercise: Engaging in physical activities such as sports or heavy lifting can subject your ring to unnecessary wear and tear. These activities increase the risk of bending prongs, loosening stones, or even breaking the band. Always remove your ring before engaging in any strenuous physical activity.
- Store Your Ring Safely During Manual Labor or Yardwork: Whether you're planting flowers or lifting boxes, these activities can expose your ring to dirt, impact, or scratching. The rough materials and heavy equipment used during yardwork can cause scratches, dents, or even bend the metal of the ring. Soil and debris can also become trapped in the setting, making it difficult to clean. Additionally, vigorous activities such as digging, raking, or lifting heavy objects increase the risk of bending prongs or knocking stones loose.
Water & Chemical Exposure
- Protect Your Ring from Harsh Chemicals: Harsh chemicals found in cleaning products, perfumes, and hair sprays can discolor and corrode the metal of your ring. Before using any products that contain strong chemicals, remove your ring to prevent accidental exposure.
- Remove Your Ring Before Swimming: Whether you're swimming in a pool or relaxing in a hot tub, water can pose a risk to your engagement ring. Chlorine can damage the metal settings, and cold water can cause your fingers to shrink, increasing the risk of losing your ring. Make it a habit to remove your ring before any water-based activities.
- Leave Your Ring at Home for Beach Days: Wearing your engagement ring at the beach is risky due to the combination of sand, water, and sunscreen. Sand can scratch the metal, while cold water can cause your fingers to shrink, increasing the risk of the ring slipping off. Additionally, sunscreen can leave residue on your ring, dulling its shine. Always remove your ring before heading to the beach.
How to Take Care of Your Engagement Ring
Caring for your engagement ring doesn't have to be complicated. The following habits and tips can help keep your ring looking its best:
Regular Cleaning
Keeping your engagement ring clean is important to maintain its shine. We recommend cleaning your ring at home once a week and having it professionally cleaned about every six months. When cleaning your ring at home, avoid abrasive cleaners (like baking soda) and ultrasonic cleaners. If you own a Brilliant Earth engagement ring, you can get complimentary ring cleanings from one of our jewelry experts at any of our showrooms. For more cleaning tips, read our At-Home Cleaning Guide.
Professional Inspections
Schedule professional inspections for your ring once or twice yearly, ideally when you bring it in for professional cleaning. Your jeweler will examine the setting for loose prongs and worn mountings that could put your stone at risk. They'll also assess whether your ring needs polishing or replating. These regular check-ups catch minor issues before they become expensive problems, keeping your ring secure, beautiful, and looking its best.
Proper Storage
When you’re not wearing your engagement ring, store it in a safe, designated place. When you briefly remove your ring, like when putting on lotion or washing dishes, it can be helpful to have ring dishes in those areas for easy placement. For longer removal, use a jewelry box with a soft lining or a fabric pouch to prevent scratches and minimize exposure to air and moisture. Storing your ring separately from other jewelry can also prevent it from being scratched or damaged by harder gemstones or metals.
Insurance
Insuring your engagement ring is an important step in protecting your investment. Jewelry insurance covers the cost of repair or replacement in case of theft, loss, or damage. To learn more about ring insurance, read our How to Insure an Engagement Ring Guide.
Engagement Ring Care FAQ
Should you wear your engagement ring every day?
You can wear your engagement ring every day — but with caution. Daily wear is fine if you take it off during high-risk activities and clean it regularly.
Can I wear my engagement ring in the shower?
It is not recommended to wear your engagement ring in the shower. Showering with your ring on can expose it to soaps, scrubs, shampoos, and conditioners that can cause a film to build up on the diamond or gemstone, temporarily dulling its shine.
Can I wash my hands with my engagement ring on?
It is generally safe to wear your engagement ring while washing your hands, as long as you use a mild, gentle soap and avoid harsh or abrasive cleansers. However, frequent handwashing, especially with harsh soaps and hot water, can cause gradual wear over time. There’s also a small risk of your ring slipping off in soapy water. If you want to be extra cautious, consider removing your ring and placing it in a safe place before washing your hands and ensure your hands are completely dry before putting it back on.
