Can You Shower Or Swim With Your Ring On?

Rings are like jewelry, and people use them for various purposes. Men use rings to engage their sweethearts and tie the nuptial knot with their spouse on their wedding day. 

Both men and women also wear rings as fashion adornments.

One question people ask is whether someone can shower or swim with a ring on their finger.

The answer to this question depends on the type of ring you are wearing and the underlying raw materials the ring manufacturers used while producing the band.

To be safe, always take off your ring before taking a bath, just like you do before using moisturizer or other beauty products, so you can retain your ring’s beauty and secure it for decades to come. 

Doing this will safeguard the ring and engravings (if there are any) and make your ring last long.

This article will answer the question, “can you shower or swim with your ring on?” by stating whether you can leave your ring on your finger while in the shower or swimming pool, the times you should remove your band, and some of the reasons why you should not swim in chlorinated water. 

Additionally, this post will discuss how you can protect your ring before taking a shower or swimming in a pool.

Can I leave my ring on my finger while in the swimming pool or shower?

The safest method to guard your ring against deterioration and loss is to take the band off and keep it secured before entering the shower to bathe or a swimming pool.

It is not advisable to wear your wedding ring or any ring while in the water or any place where your body will come in contact with water. The reason is that swimming in cold water causes your fingers to shrink, which makes it much simpler for the ring to slip off, especially if the band is already loose.

Wearing a ring in the bath or swimming pool is risky. If you are bathing and your fingers get soapy, there’s a likelihood that the band will fall off – likewise when you are in a pool swimming. 

It’s not only that the ring might fall off, but the band may also tumble down the bathroom drain or descend to the bottom of the swimming pool, where you might not be able to see it again. 

Furthermore, bathing with a soap that contains oil and exfoliants can affect your ring’s finish and dim its shine.

Is it possible to wash my hands with the ring on my finger?

Yes, you can wash your hands without taking off your ring. However, you can take it off if you are concerned that the soap you are using might diminish or dull your ring’s finish when it comes in contact with water.

Washing your hand while still wearing your ring is okay, but don’t do it often. You can keep fancy trays to keep your band in strategic locations where you usually wash your hands in the house. 

Doing this will save your ring from being unnecessarily blurry and dull, especially if it’s a wedding ring you will wear for a lifetime.

Should I wear my ring always?

Whether you should wear your ring daily is a personal decision; it depends on what you want. If your job or daily routine involves using water or chemicals, you may consider not wearing the ring frequently. 

If what you do daily does not have to do with water or moisture, you can wear your ring often – the decision is up to you.

Endeavor not to wear your ring while doing things or going to places where surfaces or things can blur or dim your ring’s smoothness and finish. 

Even though it is good to wear your ring always, especially if you are married, try and remove it if you want to do a job that involves a lot of manual labor. 

Also, remove your ring if you know you will work with toxic and dangerous chemicals to avoid damaging the ring.

Aside from showering and swimming, when should I remove my ring?

There are many circumstances when removing your ring is essential to help you keep it free from wear and tear and losing it. Listed below are some of these moments:

When working out

Removing your ring before you step outside to work out is the ideal thing to do. You risk the danger of altering the shape of the underlying metals used in producing the bands if you rock your ring while engaging in activities that impose pressure on them. 

If the pressure succeeds in twisting the ring’s design, the band might crack, and the engravings will fall out if there are any.

You can keep your wedding ring on your finger if you want to do exercises like outdoor jogging or biking, which will not create a scenario that can make your band fall off. 

Remove your ring from your finger if you want to lift weights or engage in strenuous exercise that involves your hands – such as volleyball, basketball, lawn and table tennis, etc. since these activities can exert a significant amount of force on the band. Alternatively, avoid working out while wearing your ring to be safe.

Before cooking

Having your ring on your finger while preparing meals or cooking is not advisable because the band might be collecting oil and grime, which is not good for your ring’s material and finish. 

It is an excellent idea to remove your wedding ring if you touch food items like meat or oil while cooking, which can react with the ring’s underlying raw material.

In addition, if you rinse something in the sink with your ring on, you stand a chance of losing the ring as it might slip off your finger without your knowledge. If possible, remove your ring before cooking.

When doing household chores

There’s a high probability of hitting your wedding ring on hard surfaces like kitchen countertops, bathroom tiles, kitchen cabinets, hardwood floors, and so on while doing house chores. 

In addition, the inlay arrangement in your ring may disassemble if you don’t remove it before doing household duties.

Remember that some household cleaners contain dangerous chemicals – such as bleach and vinegar, which can change the color of your ring’s finish. Remove your ring and keep it aside before doing household work if possible. You can put it back when you finish.

Before going to the beach

There are several justifications why you should not wear your marriage ring at the beach. 

Firstly, rings can easily slip off, and water will carry them away. Meanwhile, sand can also scratch the surface of your wedding ring when you are not watching. 

It is better to keep your band in your bag or at home before going to the beach if you want to maintain its color and smooth finish.

Before embarking on certain trips

Consider removing your ring if you plan on embarking on a trip to places where you will engage in adventurous activities like mountain climbing or hiking. 

Rocks or sand may damage your ring’s gem engravings and smooth finish if you wear it on rocky and rough terrains. You can carry a small safe box to keep the ring in your bag while making such trips.

When using beauty products

Some hair and beauty products can accumulate filth in your ring and damage its smoothness. 

While creams and lotions may be fantastic for your skin, remember that they are not so good for your band because the band will start to look dull if excess coatings rest on it. 

Endeavor to remove your wedding band before applying your cosmetic products. Also, ensure that your fingers are dry before you wear the ring again.

When gardening outdoors

Do not wear your wedding ring while weeding or pruning your garden. Since you will use your hands to prune the lawn, you wouldn’t want debris to stick to your band and dull its smooth shine. 

It’s better to store your ring in a box before stepping outside to attend to the plants. Even if you wear rubber gloves, the band might slip off and fall inside the glove without your notice.

When cleaning your hands with a hand sanitizer

Overall, almost all metals – including tungsten, titanium, platinum, and other ring metals are safe to use with hand sanitizer. However, if your ring contains a gemstone or inlay, it’s better to remove it before using hand sanitizer to wash your hand. 

Doing this is vital because alcohol in hand sanitizers can dim a ring’s smooth luster.

Tip: Do not expose your rings directly to hand sanitizers. If your band comes in contact with a hand sanitizer, wash the band immediately with soap and warm water.

Reasons why you should not swim in a pool that contains chlorine water with your ring on

Gemstones discoloration

Chlorine has an impact on rings when it comes in contact with it. Exposing your wedding ring to chlorinated water can discolor the gems engraved in it and make the band less valuable and unattractive. 

If you must swim in a pool treated with chlorine, ensure that you remove your ring before doing that.

Dull ring color

Swimming in a pool with chlorinated water can make your ring’s color appear dull. Chlorine can react with most ring finishes making them lose their shiny sparkle.

Remove your wedding ring and keep it in a safe box before swimming in a pool with chlorinated water since your wedding band is jewelry you will wear for a lifetime.

Metal rusting

Some wedding rings raw materials – like metals other than platinum and gold are vulnerable to corrosion when subjected to chlorine and other substances. 

When you introduce some of these ring metals to chemicals like chlorine, they tend to deteriorate. 

Therefore, refrain from wearing your ring while swimming in a pool that contains chlorinated water if a metal is an underlying material for producing your wedding band.

How to protect your ring before entering the shower or swimming pool

The safest approach to safeguard your band from damage or spoiling if you want to shower or swim is to take it off your finger and keep it securely. How you want to keep it – whether in a safe box or your bag is up to you.

You can get a ring box or tray and keep it in your house where you usually take your bath or wash your hands. You can also get a small safe box that can fit into your bag, so you can remove your ring and keep it there whenever you hit the pool for relaxation and swimming. 

In addition, you can customize the box or tray by adding your initials or wedding date to personalize it. Keep your ring spotless and shiny to ensure its attractiveness lasts for years. 

Whatever you decide, ensure that you have a minimum of one box or tray available for storing your ring when the need arises.

In Conclusion 

The answer to the question, “can you shower or swim with your ring on?” depends on the underlying raw material the ring producers used in manufacturing the ring. 

Some ring materials corrode when in contact with water, while others don’t. Remove your band before bathing or entering a swimming pool to safeguard the ring, especially the surface, and make it last longer.

FAQs

How should I clean my wedding band?

If your wedding ring gets dirty and you want to clean it, get a toothbrush, dip it in soapy, warm water and use it to clean the band. After cleaning the ring, wipe it with a soft fabric to dry it.

Is it advisable to wear your wedding band daily?

It is good to wear your wedding ring when you are confident that you won’t subject it to undue stress or materials that can make rings corrode. 

You can wear your wedding ring every day without damaging it, as long as you will not use harsh chemicals or use your hands on rough surfaces. Remove the ring and keep it during the days you will come in contact with toxic chemicals, rough surfaces, or chlorinated water.