What cleaning the house will do to your engagement ring
Cleaning the house while wearing your engagement ring might seem harmless, but the chemicals in household products can do a number on your ring. From dulling its brilliance to damaging its structure, the impact can vary depending on the metal. Here’s why taking your ring off before cleaning is the smart choice for keeping it looking great.
When cleaning your home, your engagement ring is exposed to abrasive chemicals, harsh scrubbing, and even water pressure—all of which can compromise its appearance and longevity.
The impact will however be dependent on which metal your ring is made of - white gold is the most sensitive to chemicals, as it can erode the rhodium plating, whereas platinum is highly resistant, and yellow gold is moderately resistant, especially in higher karats of yellow (18kt up).
Here’s an overview of how the different metals respond to the chemicals typically present in cleaning supplies, and how vulnerable they are:
White gold: high vulnerability
White gold, with its rhodium-plated finish, is the most sensitive to chemicals.
The problem: White gold is coated with rhodium to achieve its bright, reflective finish. Harsh chemicals, particularly chlorine (found in pools, bleach, and some cleaning agents), can strip this plating faster than normal wear would, revealing the slightly yellow undertone of the white gold alloy underneath.This will leave the ring looking dull or discoloured.
Additional risk: The alloys used in white gold, such as nickel or palladium, can also weaken with prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals, affecting the ring’s structure over time.
Solution: Always remove your white gold ring before cleaning and have the rhodium plating redone as needed to maintain its brilliance.
Yellow gold: moderate vulnerability
Yellow gold falls somewhere in the middle in terms of sensitivity to cleaning chemicals.
The problem: Yellow gold, especially in higher karats like 18kt or 22kt, is less reactive to chemicals compared to white gold. However, exposure to harsh cleaning agents, bleach, or chlorine can still weaken the alloy and dull the surface over time. Lower-karat yellow gold (e.g., 14kt) contains a higher proportion of alloy metals like copper or silver, which can tarnish or corrode when exposed to chemicals.
Additional risk: Abrasive scrubbing or gritty cleaning agents can scratch the surface of yellow gold and leave permanent dents, especially in higher-karat pieces, which are softer.
Solution: Protect your yellow gold ring by removing it during cleaning and get it repolished periodically to restore its shine.
Platinum: low vulnerability
Platinum is renowned for its durability and chemical resistance, making it a robust option for everyday wear.
The problem: Platinum is highly resistant to most chemicals, and since it doesn’t rely on plating to give it its white brilliant finish like white gold does, exposure to common chemicals won’t discolour or degrade its appearance, and won’t compromise its structural integrity. However, prolonged exposure to harsh cleaning agents, bleach, or chlorine can still weaken the alloy and dull the surface over time.
Solution: Although less prone to damage, it’s still best to remove your platinum ring when cleaning to avoid unnecessary wear. To keep its surface looking pristine, you can consider a professional repolish every few years.
Additional arguments for removing your ring when cleaning
Beyond protecting your metal, here are some other reasons to avoid wearing your engagement ring while cleaning:
Protecting gemstones: Harsh chemicals can erode the surface of porous gemstones like emeralds or opals and leave residue on diamonds, dulling their brilliance.
Preventing accidental damage: Rings with intricate designs or prong settings are at risk of snagging or bending while scrubbing.
Minimizing dents and signs of wear: Even metals as durable as platinum can show signs of wear when exposed to chemicals and abrasives over time.