Washing jewelry and hand washing during COVID-19

When we wash our hands, face, and clothes, we often forget to clean our jewelry. Everyday items may be a place where bacteria are hidden, or they may be a carrier of viruses that has the world bowing down to it. Whether you are washing your hands or taking a bath, make sure you also clean your jewelry. Moreover, now that we take extra care in protecting ourselves from deadly coronavirus infections, we also need to pay attention to cleaning our jewelry.

In everyday jewelry like rings, bracelets can be filled with bacteria. Cleaning your jewelry is as important as cleaning your hands. For example, if you remove the ring and put it back, you will contaminate your hands again. The same is true of bracelets and earrings. Here are some tips you can follow to keep yourself clean and safe:

1. Avoid heavy jewelry

It’s best to keep it minimal with jewelry at home. Avoid wearing semi-precious and precious stones and jewelry at home, as they can be tough to clean.

2. Don’t use a sanitizer

Alcoholic hand cream may damage your jewelry. Avoid using antiseptics, especially for gemstones, as it will damage the surface.

3. Take off the jewelry before washing

Whether you wash your face or wash your hands, it is best to take off the jewelry first. Bacteria, soap and even lotion can gather under jewelry, even behind gems and diamonds. So, take them off and wash them before wearing them.

4. Wash with warm water

Washing jewelry with mild soap is one of the best methods. The best practice is to remove them and wash them with soap and warm water. Then, wash your hands according to the 20-second rule and let them dry.

Washing hands and using hand sanitizer are considered to be effective ways to reduce the risk of infection and spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19).

However, before washing your hands, you must remember to remove all jewelries, such as rings, watches and bracelets.

Those who cannot discard jewelry inherited from their grandparents—wedding rings or watches—must remember to take them off before washing their hands, and wash jewelry often.

Remember, if the ring is contaminated, you should wash it and then put it back on, and your hand will be contaminated again.

People wash their hands before, during, and after cooking or preparing food; before eating; before and after taking care of patients; before and after handling open wounds or blisters; after using the bathroom or toilet; after changing diapers or cleaning children in the toilet; after touching animals, feeding animals or cleaning up animal feces; after touching animal food; and after touching garbage or throwing out garbage. Remember to wash your hands!