Is Hand Sanitizer Bad for Silicone Rings?

In the year 2020, we have used copious amounts of hand sanitizer as we look for ways to keep potential COVID-19 virus germs from getting us infected. It sparked stories of people hording and price gouging, and regular news stories with information about where you could find it in stock, either at an online retailer or local stores. It has frequently been promoted by public health officials as one of the best ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus, along with washing your hands, social distancing, and wearing a face covering.

With all the benefits of hand sanitizer, and the frequency with which we are using it today, many people are wondering if it’s safe to use with jewelry like silicone rings. The answer is complicated, so we’ll cover the basics here.

Alcohol Damage to Silicone Rings

Silicone rings are made of a silicone rubber material, and while the silicone material is generally non-porous, harsh chemicals like alcohol can quickly dry out the silicone ring and cause the materials to deteriorate. Silicone has also been shown to have only limited resistance to the acids and bases that you might find in the ingredients in hand sanitizer, such as hydrogen peroxide. At very low levels it may not cause any issues, but at higher concentrations these chemicals can lead to corrosion and discoloration.

Safer Cleaning for a Silicone Ring

The safest way to clean your silicone ring is actually also the easiest. Simply use mild soap and warm water, making sure to get into the grooved areas of the ring to remove any traces of bacteria from daily wear. If you do happen to expose your ring to something that won’t come off when you wash your hands, there are other ways you can clean and sanitize it.

• Scrub the ring with a soft-bristle toothbrush and mild soap or detergent to remove stuck-on dirt and grime.

• Boil the ring in a small pot of water for 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully remove it with tongs and leave it out to air dry for a few minutes before putting it back on.

• Put the ring in the dishwasher for a cycle to sanitize it. Since it’s very small, make sure you enclose it in something to keep it from falling to the bottom of the dishwasher on the heating element. A baby bottle nipple rack or in an enclosed part of your silverware
  tray works well.

Stay Safe with Hand Sanitizer and Protect Your Silicone Ring

Since hand sanitizer remains a good idea to protect you from spreading diseases like COVID-19 you shouldn’t give up using it altogether. Rather than risking damage, simply remove your silicone ring when you need to apply hand sanitizer. Wait a minute or two for your hands to dry completely, then put your ring back on.

Shop Enso Rings today to get a versatile silicone ring that you can wear all the time and easily clean as needed.