Silicone has become a popular material for rings. In particular, many people prefer silicone over traditional metal wedding bands because it is more affordable, comfortable and safe to wear in a variety of professions. However, some may wonder if the comfy material may start to smell over time. Sticky materials are naturally repelled by silicone, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be affected by continuous exposure to dirt, grime and human sweat. That’s why it’s important to clean your ring regularly and take good care of it to keep it smelling fresh.
How To Care for Silicone
If you own silicone bakeware, phone cases or anything else, you probably already know how to care for this type of material. Unlike expensive metal wedding rings, no special solutions are required to clean silicone. In fact, all you need are basic household items you probably already have, including a soft bristle brush (an old toothbrush will do), dish soap and water. Here’s a step-by-step guide for cleaning your silicone ring (which should be done at least twice per week if possible):
- Put warm water into a cup and add 3-4 drops of dish soap.
- Remove your ring from your finger and put it in the cup.
- Allow your ring to soak for at least 10 minutes in the soapy water.
- Gently rub a soft bristle brush or your own fingers across the surface of your ring to remove any grit or grime that is still on the ring.
- Rinse the ring in warm water to remove soapy residue.
This cleaning method doesn’t take much time and effort, but it can remove both the visible impurities from your ring as well as any microscopic bacteria.
Dishwasher Considerations
If you don’t want to put the effort into washing your ring by hand, you can also put it in the dishwasher. Just make sure you place it in a safe compartment that will keep it from getting tossed into the bottom of the dishwasher. Once secured properly, you can put your ring through a normal wash cycle, then simply dry it off and put it back on once the cycle is complete. Many people find this to be the easiest and most hassle-free way to keep their silicone rings clean and fresh.
Methods to Avoid
Although silicone rings are made to be fairly durable and take normal daily abuse quite well, they still should be treated with care. Don’t ever use scouring pads or abrasive cleaners on your ring. Doing so can not only cause visible scratches on the surface of the ring, but may remove any personalized designs or text you’ve added to it. It’s best to use soft materials to gently scrub your ring and keep it free from debris.
While it’s natural for any type of ring to become grimy over time, you can prevent your silicone ring from developing an odor by cleaning it regularly. It’s also wise to clean it immediately after exercise, gardening or participating in any other activities that expose your ring to dirt, sweat or other types of debris.
