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The COVID-19 pandemic has left us using more hand sanitizer and washing our hands more frequently. Taking these precautions can not only help protect your health but also the health of those around you.
However, did you know that hand sanitizer is not the safest thing for your fine jewelry? The 14 Karat engagement rings Omaha professionals want to share with you how hand sanitizer use can affect your jewelry and how to disinfect your jewelry safely.
What is in hand sanitizer, and when should you use it?
In case you didn’t know, hand sanitizer contains alcohol that kills viruses and bacteria. It kills bacteria by softening the bacterial membrane and leaving the bacteria ineffective.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that hand sanitizer is an alternative to washing hands when there is no soap or water. They recommend people use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol to prevent the spread of germs.
How hand sanitizer affects jewelry
When it comes to protecting your beloved engagement ring or other fine jewelry, you should be wise about your use of hand sanitizer. This disinfecting product can damage your jewelry.
If hand sanitizer is excessively used on jewelry, it won’t damage it right away but it will over time. It can wear off the finish on white gold jewelry faster. Products like chlorine, bleach, rubbing alcohol and antibacterial soaps can also break down the brilliance of gems and metals.
Another way the extensive use of hand sanitizer can damage your engagement ring and fine jewelry is by destroying your setting. If you are using hand sanitizer while wearing your engagement ring, it can start to loosen the prongs on your ring.
How to use hand sanitizer when wearing jewelry
Of course, you should not stop using hand sanitizers in fear of damaging your ring. Experts suggest you should avoid the use of hand sanitizer and other disinfecting products directly on your jewelry. When applying this product onto your hands, take off your engagement ring or other fine jewelry. Once your hands have dried, you can put your jewelry back on.
Accidents can happen, so if you forget you have your engagement ring on and you get hand sanitizer on it, wash your jewelry under warm water immediately. The warm water will remove any chemicals that are left from the hand sanitizer and damage your ring. It is also advised that you bring your ring to 14 Karat engagement rings Omaha expert.
How to disinfect your jewelry
After a long day at work, you might want to sanitize your jewelry to be safe. Experts suggest that the best way to kill germs without damaging your jewelry is by using mild soap and warm water. If you’ve noticed debris behind your stones, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove the dirt.
For all your jewelry maintenance, the best engagement ring selection and jewelry repair needs let 14 Karat help! The 14 Karat engagement rings Omaha professionals can assist you in finding the perfect engagement ring to keep it looking like new for its lifetime! Contact us or visit us at The Shops of Legacy, 16950 Wright Plaza, across the parking lot from Roja.
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