Cleaning and polishing rings: the best tricks

No piece of jewelry is as personal as the ring on our finger. Whether engagement ring, wedding ring or fashion piece - rings often have a special meaning for us and reveal a lot about ourselves to others. For this reason, it is all the more important to look after rings regularly and thoroughly. This is the only way they can retain their shine in the long term and be a long-lasting companion.

Why regular ring maintenance is so important

Of all pieces of jewelry, rings are particularly stressed in everyday life. This is because they are constantly exposed to friction during activities such as cooking, driving or gardening and also come into contact with a wide variety of materials, water and sweat. So it's only logical that bacteria, dirt and discoloration accumulate on the rings over time, attacking the material and impairing the appearance of your rings. We would therefore like to show you how you can remove deposits from gold, silver and gemstones using household remedies that you are guaranteed to have at home.

The most important facts at a glance

Cleaning gold rings

Washing-up liquid and baking soda are worth their weight in gold when cleaning gold rings.

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Cleaning silver rings

Use aluminum foil and toothpaste to quickly get rid of annoying stains.

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Careful care for gold-plated rings

Water and a soft cotton cloth are all you need.

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Cleaning rings with diamonds or pearls correctly

Washing-up liquid and water bring back the bling bling - that's a promise!

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Cleaning gold rings

Washing-up liquid or soap for a new shine

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Probably the easiest way to clean your gold rings is with washing-up liquid or soap and a little warm water. But beware: this method is not suitable for gold-plated rings!

You will also need: a small bowl, a soft toothbrush, a cloth

  • First mix a few drops of washing-up liquid with warm water (not hot) in the bowl.
  • Leave your gold rings in the water bath for a few minutes. A little longer if they are very dirty.
  • Now you can gently scrub your ring with a soft toothbrush until you see the first results.
  • Now rinse the gold jewelry with lukewarm water and then polish it with a soft cloth. That's it!

Miracle cure baking powder

Another helpful household remedy for cleaning your gold earrings is baking soda (alternatively, you can also use baking powder). Again, you will need a bowl, a soft toothbrush, water and a cloth. You'll see, your ring will look like new afterwards!

Please note:
This method should not be used on rings with enamel, gemstones or pearls!
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Step 1: Mix the paste

In a bowl, mix two tablespoons of baking powder or baking soda with enough water to form a thick paste.
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Step 2: Rub in the jewelry

Then rub your ring carefully with the paste. You can use the soft brush or your fingers for this. If the rings are slightly dirty, it may be sufficient to soak them in the paste.
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Step 3: Rinse the ring

Now rinse your ring carefully with clear water. You can repeat the process if necessary.
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Step 4: Polishing the piece of jewelry

As a final step, dry the ring with a soft cloth, such as a glasses cloth. You can also use this to polish your favorites at any time and remove coarse dirt on the go.

Cleaning silver rings

Aluminum foil and salt against tarnished silver

Silver jewelry in particular is susceptible to dark discoloration, as the silver reacts with the small amounts of hydrogen sulphide in the air and tarnishes as a result. To get rid of this, however, you don't need any aggressive cleaning agents, just a piece of aluminum foil and a teaspoon of salt. Curious? Keep scrolling!

  • First, line a small bowl with a suitably sized piece of aluminum foil. Secure it around the edges.
  • Fill the bowl with hot water and stir in the salt until it has dissolved.
  • Now place your silver rings in the bowl for a few minutes. You will see that the aluminum foil and salt absorb the tarnish like a magnet!
  • Now just dry the ring and polish if necessary. Done!

Fancy something new?

Our pieces from the Pret collection are made of certified 925 sterling silver and are nano-coated to provide extra protection against scratches and discoloration.

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Simply clean silver rings with toothpaste

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The ingredients in toothpaste not only clean your teeth, but can also remove stubborn dirt from your silver ring. In addition to toothpaste, you will also need a soft toothbrush or cloth. And this is how it works:

Step 1:
Apply a suitable amount of toothpaste to your ring.

Step 2:
Now massage the paste into the ring with the cloth - or with the brush if it is very dirty. Don't forget to clean the inside of the ring too! You can use a cotton bud for hard-to-reach areas.

Step 3:
Finally, rinse the ring and dry and polish it with a soft cloth, such as a microfiber cloth. Et violà!

Careful care for gold-plated rings

Gold-plated rings are available in many variations and designs - but cleaning them is very simple. This is because gold-plated jewelry is more sensitive and more susceptible to scratches and discoloration than real jewelry. That's why you should avoid baking soda and the like when cleaning and simply use a soft cloth or gentle soapy water instead.

Frequently asked questions

Below we answer the most frequently asked questions about costume jewelry.

With conventional costume jewelry, the pieces are usually only coated with a thin layer of gold. This is easily damaged by contact with sweat, hard objects or water. In addition, costume jewelry rings are often made of brass, copper or nickel, which react with substances in our air and thus tarnish.

As gold-plated jewelry can react sensitively to (air) humidity and UV radiation, you should not store it in the bathroom and, if possible, not expose it to daylight. A jewelry box is best suited for this.

As the gold plating is permanently damaged by contact with water, you should take your rings off before showering or exercising. The same applies to washing your hands every day.

It is best to clean your fashion pieces regularly with a soft cotton cloth. This removes bacteria and dirt that can attack the gold plating. For heavier soiling, you can soak your gold-plated rings in mild, lukewarm soapy water for a few minutes and then carefully dab them dry.

Cleaning rings with diamonds or pearls correctly

Rings with gemstones or pearls should also be treated with care. This is because stubborn cleaning agents and hard brushes can damage their surface and take away their typical shine. Diamond rings in particular should be cleaned regularly, as dirty stones can reflect the incident light less well, making the diamond ineffective. We'll give you tips on cleaning so that this doesn't happen in the first place:

  • First, pour warm (not hot!) water into a small bowl and add some mild soap. Then place your diamond or pearl rings in it.
  • You can leave diamond rings in the lye for a little longer, pearls should be taken out again after a short time, rinsed under clear water and left to dry on a towel.
  • If the soapy water is not enough to make your diamond sparkle again, you can take a soft toothbrush and carefully brush the underside of the stone. This is where dirt is most likely to accumulate.
  • Now just rinse it off and dry it with a soft cloth or in the air. That's it!

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Conclusion

You don't always have to take your rings to a jeweler to get them shiny again - with the tips and tricks below, you can do it quickly and easily at home. Home remedies such as toothpaste, baking soda and the like are simply converted into cleaning agents and usually get any dirt off your ring.
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If you need to do it really quickly or don't have any home remedies to hand because you're on vacation, we recommend our Pukka cleaning spray. It contains 5% anionic surfactants, which reliably clean all types of jewelry - whether solid gold or gold-plated, silver, platinum, diamonds or pearls. Buy now

Would you prefer to have your rings professionally cleaned? Then visit us in one of our stores in Berlin. You can find us at Torstraße 159 or on the first floor of Bikini Berlin. We will clean your rings particularly thoroughly using an ultrasonic device and advise you on any questions you may have.

We look forward to seeing you!

Store Pukka Berlin Torstraße

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