With daily use, your  engagement ring can get dirty and lose some of its shine. Fortunately, all it takes is a little time and the right products to return your ring to its original beauty. Follow these tips to clean your ring safely and effectively.
12 Tips for cleaning your engagement ring monolith
1. Get to know your ring

Before you start cleaning your monolith, you must know the materials used in its construction. This is important to avoid damaging your jewelry. Take a look at your ring and consider the following factors.

    If you have a diamond engagement ring, take a minute to learn how to clean diamonds. Although they are extremely durable, it is still important to take good care of these gems.
    If the ring has processed diamonds, you may need to use specialized cleaning techniques to avoid accidental discoloration of the gemstones. If you know that your diamonds have been processed, ask your jeweler to suggest a cleanser base for your particular diamond.
    If you have a non-diamond engagement ring, you should consider stone. Many very soft gemstones such as pearls and turquoise require extremely gentle cleaning without chemicals. Other gems such as sapphires and rubies are almost as durable as diamonds.

If you have any doubts about the materials in your jewelry or the care that these materials require, consult a jeweler before attempting to clean your ring.
2. Look for Damage

It is also important to check your ring for damage before cleaning it. If your ring has loose stones, cracks, deformed teeth ("teeth" that hold the stone) or missing details, cleaning can aggravate the damage. It is best to have a professional craftsman repair your  engagement ring to avoid major problems.
3. Prepare your work area

The area where you will clean your ring must be safe for your precious jewelry. Follow these steps:

    If you are going to clean the bathroom or kitchen, be sure to plug the sink well or install a small wire filter to avoid accidents with open drains and narrow pipes.
    Cover your desktop with a soft towel in a color that contrasts with your jewelry. This way, if you drop your ring, you will be able to see it easily. The towel will prevent it from bouncing off the bench and getting lost on the floor.

4. Choose an excellent cleaning solution

The cleaning solution you choose will significantly affect how well you can clean your ring. Choose a product that has a credible reputation, such as one of the following:

    Weiman Jewelry Cleaner - Weiman manufactures a wide range of precious metal cleaning supplies and has been active since 1941. Their jewelry varnish has received four stars from Amazon users and sells for less than five euros. It is safe for most gemstones, but the company says it should not be used on opals, turquoise, pearls and other soft materials.
    Connoisseurs Jewelry Cleaner - The self-proclaimed world leader in jewelry cleaning solutions, Connoisseurs is another great choice. This jewelry cleaner also received four stars from Amazon users and sells for about seven euros. Although safe for most gemstones and precious metals, this product should not be used on sensitive materials.

Making a solution of baking soda and hot water
Mix baking soda and hot water solution

You can also make your own jewelry cleaner at home. With one to two tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in a cup of warm water.
5. Avoid cleaning products that damage jewelry

Some cleaning products can actually damage your jewelry, and so should be avoided.

    Do not use ultrasonic jewelry cleaners. These can cause the gemstones to loosen in their settings and may even aggravate some of the diamond defects.
    Avoid abrasive cleaners, such as toothpaste. Although they can remove dirt and grime, they will also scratch your jewelry from precious metals.
    Avoid any homemade or purchased cleaning solutions that contain harsh chemicals such as bleach, ammonia, acetate rubbing alcohol and alcohol.

Soak the ring to loosen the dirt

When starting the cleaning process, it is a good idea to soak the ring in the cleaning solution for two or three minutes to loosen the residue and dissolve the dirt residue. This allows the cleaning solution to penetrate through the dirt and facilitates its removal.
7. Use a brush to reach cracks
Clean the monolith with a toothbrush

Use a soft bristle brush, such as a toothbrush for sensitive teeth, to loosen dirt. This also helps you to get into the slits of the monolith. Gently rub the ring from all corners with the brush. Pay special attention to the sides and bottom of the gem, as these areas can be difficult to reach and tend to accumulate a lot of dirt.
8. Rinse thoroughly to avoid spots

Allowing any of the jewelry cleaner to remain in the ring can create residue when it dries. Rinsing your ring thoroughly will help you avoid it. You can dip your ring in warm water, but running water is the best way to rinse your jewelry thoroughly. Just keep your ring securely under the water, making sure to plug the sink drain before you start.
9. Dry properly to keep fluff away

Do not use tissues or paper towels to dry your ring. These items have rough fibers that can leave fluff and dust on the ring. Fluff can engrave delicate gems or metals. Instead, carefully dry the ring with a lint-free polishing cloth or jewelry cloth. If you want, you can also use a hair dryer to quickly dry the ring in the air, so that no water stains are left.
10. Find out when to call a professional

In most cases, you can clean your ring at home. However, it is a good idea to professionally clean your jewelry at least once a year. At the same time, your jeweler can inspect the settings and make sure all the gems are safe.

If your ring contains very delicate materials such as pearls or opals, professional cleaning is usually your best choice. This way, you can be sure that your ring will remain beautiful and that the gemstones will not be damaged.
11. Polish regularly to maintain shine

Between cleanings, you can use a lint-free cloth to polish your ring. This can really help remove some residue from hand lotions and other products, so you will not need to clean your ring as often. It's good to make this part of your daily routine.
12. Keep your ring clean

The best way to keep a  engagement ring clean is to avoid soiling it from the beginning. While all rings will accumulate some dust and dirt from daily wear and tear, you should always remove the engagement ring when using or handling any substance that might stick to the monolith or dull the stone. Specifically, remove your rings before handling:

    Dirt
    Flour
    Makeup
    Lotion
    Hair spray
    Soap
    Sunscreen

Your ring will look brand new

Despite the best care, all  rings need cleaning from time to time. If you lead an active lifestyle or are newly engaged and want to show off your engagement ring, you may want to clean it every week or even every few days. Otherwise, a monthly cleaning should suffice, as well as cleaning the ring before special occasions to make sure it looks better. With proper cleaning, your ring will look brand new, even decades after your wedding.