Is Hand Sanitizer Bad for Your Engagement Ring?

在过去的几周内,你可能增加your use of hand sanitizer and other soaps. But while all of those disinfecting agents are protecting you, they might be hurting something else—yourengagement ring.

Turns out, the aggressive use of hand sanitizer is doing two dangerous things to your engagement ring and the experts atJames Allen,an online diamond retailer, explained it all to us.

First, they shared that "excessive exposure to hand sanitizer and cleaning agents can make finish onwhite goldwear a little bit faster, but it won’t cause immediate damage." However, contact with cleaning agents such as chlorine, bleach, rubbing alcohol, antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers "can break down thebrilliance of metals and gemsover time." In other words, your rock might lose its shine—and probably won't come back.

And not only do you run the risk of dulling the luster of your ring, but you can also destroy the setting, too. "Extensive hand sanitizer use can also loosen prongs that hold diamonds in place," revealed the experts at James Allen.

Of course, don't stop your hand sanitizer use—at the end of the day,health and hygienearealwaysmore important than any piece of jewelry! However, there are ways to stay cleanandkeep your diamond safe at the same time. "If possible you should avoid rubbing hand sanitizer or harsh cleaning products directly onto your ring," they explained. "The best option is to remove your ring, apply hand sanitizer, let it dry and then put your ring back on."

We also suggestcleaning your engagement ringand wedding bands at least once a week by soaking the jewelry in warm water and dishwashing soap. So yes, you can continue your good hygiene habits without putting your diamond ring in jeopardy!