Why Is My Ring Becoming Sticky? The Best Tips for Cleaning Your Rings

Rings are some of the most common, beloved forms of jewelry. They can signify a commitment or simply show off your style! Just like any other item you use regularly or even daily, your rings will eventually require some very basic cleaning.

Luckily, this process can be really easy if you know what to use. Learn how to tell if your ring is becoming sticky and if it’s time for a ring cleaning.

Why Do Rings Get So Dirty?

Think about it: Every day, your ring comes in contact with hundreds of different things. Maybe you get sauce all over your hand at lunch, play Play-Doh with your kids, pet your cat, put on lotion, or take out the old trash can. Your ring constantly touches dirty surfaces, foods, chemicals, oils, sweat, and so much more.

It’s no wonder, then, why rings need frequent cleaning. Not only will it keep your rings looking their best, but it will also help you stay healthy by cleaning germs and grime off.

6 Signs Your Ring Needs Cleaning

There are some very obvious signs your ring needs cleaning—in other cases, the signs might not be as obvious. Here are some of the most common indicators:

Simple stickiness or grimy feeling on your finger: While not necessarily visible, these are the most common signs your ring needs a cleaning. They can happen if you've recently worked with or come in contact with something that left behind oils and residues.
A buildup of dust, dirt, and even pet hair: These particles will often become attached to the ring over time, leaving it looking duller than normal or leaving visible specks or smudges.
Rashes or skin irritation: Rings can often pick up some kind of chemical or other residue that will cause a skin reaction.
Tarnish or rust: Metal rings often show visible rust or tarnish buildup. Even if you don't see any noticeable color change, you may feel roughness on the ring.
Dullness on a gem: If your ring has diamonds or other precious stones, you may notice they look less brilliant and don't sparkle like they used to. If you notice a difference, the stones could be dirty and need a thorough cleaning.
The fit: Sometimes, a ring may feel tight if there is a big grime buildup.

Now you know if your ring is dirty, but how do you fix the problem?

How to Properly Clean Your Ring

The technique of cleaning your ring will depend on the material type.

Metal Rings

Metal rings are often the most complicated to clean. The cleaning method will depend on the type of metal or what supplies you have access to. Some common cleaning methods include:

Using soapy water and scrubbing the ring gently with a soft brush.
Creating a paste made of baking soda and water, gently scrubbing the ring, then wiping it clean.
Applying a commercial jewelry cleaning solution and simply wiping the ring clean.
Utilizing an ultrasonic cleaner, where you submerge the ring in a cleaning solution and let the machine do the work.

Rings with Precious Stones

With precious stones, it's best to avoid harsh chemicals and instead stick to gentle cleaning solutions, like soap and water or commercial jewelry cleaning solutions. Be gentle while you clean so you don't risk damaging the stone or its setting.

Wood Rings

You can gently clean a wooden ring with soapy water, but it may often need oil or wood wax to keep it looking clean, polished, and new. It's best to ask the manufacturer for exact cleaning instructions so you don't accidentally damage your ring.

Rings Made of Synthetic Material

Synthetics, like plastics, are usually simple to clean with soapy water and light scrubbing. However, these materials often irreversibly stain, and even though they are clean, they will still look discolored.

Silicone Rings

These are the most convenient rings for cleaning. Even though it can be simple, there are a few different strategies for how to make silicone not sticky.

Washing by hand: For those who need a quicker wash that's still very thorough, using simple soap and water is a great method. Simply fill a bowl with warm, soapy water, then dip the ring in it a few times — if you have 10-15 minutes available, you can actually soak the ring in the water. Then, either rinse the ring under running water or use a toothbrush to scrub any build-up that may have formed.
Washing in the dishwasher: If you want to use something that's even more powerful yet still gentle, put your silicone ring inside a utensil basket when washing it in the dishwasher — this will give it maximum exposure to water and detergent while protecting it from any possible scratches. Just be sure to place it on the top rack!
Cloth or towel: For an even faster cleaning option for those on the go, use a damp cloth or towel to remove basic surface grime. Many people will combine this temporary form of cleaning with a more robust one they carry out either weekly or monthly, depending on how much they wear the ring.

One important note here: While not all chemical cleaners will necessarily damage your silicone ring, some certainly will, and we recommend avoiding this risk entirely by simply not going this route. The methods we've gone over above are easily robust enough to cover all your ring cleaning needs without purchasing any additional chemicals.

How Often Should I Clean My Ring?

Your rings will naturally come in contact with soapy water during the day when you wash your hands. However, it’s still important to take the time to clean them thoroughly.

Metal and gemstone rings: Do a thorough clean at least twice a year.
Synthetic material rings: Wash every week
Natural material rings: wash gently with soap and water once a week, but do a more thorough gentle scrubbing once a month.
Silicone rings: Wash with soap and water once a week

The best practice is to take care of your rings and clean them before buildup accumulates. By keeping up with ring maintenance, your rings will always look their best and last much longer.

Silicone vs. Other Ring Materials

It’s obvious we have a favorite ring material: silicone! Silicone rings are by far the best type of ring for these 7 reasons:

Easy to Clean: One of the key benefits of silicone compared to other ring materials like metal is how easy it is to clean. As we talked about before, both water and silicone (specifically, dish soap) work well for cleaning without hassle or any special steps required.
Hypoallergenic: Silicone is actually hypoallergenic for nearly everyone, so you aren't at risk of having reactions like some people do to different metals on their skin.
Water Resistant: Unlike jewelry made of wood or stone, a silicone ring is very resistant to water and moisture. This makes it a perfect option for people who exercise regularly and get sweat on their rings. Silicone is also great for those who want to keep their rings on while showering.
Strong: A silicone ring will never weaken over time from regular exposure to water, including swimming and showering. It can withstand high heat for some time, and it takes a very strong pull before it snaps.
Safe: Ring avulsions can happen when people get their metal or hard material rings stuck and it ends up damaging their hand or fingers. A silicone ring will snap apart in a situation like this, allowing you to escape unharmed.
Affordable: Silicone rings are far more inexpensive than other common types. This means you can easily afford multiple colors and styles, so you can switch them out whenever you feel like you need a new style.
Fun: At Enso, we love coming up with new designs to excite our customers. Rep a fandom, choose matching sets with loved ones, or engrave a special message on one. Everything is possible with Enso!

Find Your Perfect Ensos Ring Today

At Enso Rings, we're proud to offer a wide selection of silicone rings. We are here to offer you expert advice on when and how to clean your rings for both quality appearance and the best long-term durability.

For more advice on caring for your silicone ring, or to learn about any of our silicone ring products or services,contact the pros at Enso Rings today.

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