It is recommended to take all jewelry pieces off before you go to the shower. Gold, silver, and other expensive metals will tarnish and develop other imperfections with time if you tend to wear them while taking a shower. For sure, this is not what you want for your jewelry!
But what about the jewelry that is made of stainless steel? Can you wear stainless steel in the shower?
This is what we will try to figure out today. Read on to learn whether stainless steel can get wet and develop tarnishes.
Also, we will tell you how this metal will behave in salty water. You will learn whether stainless steel can develop rust and whether water can cause any serious damage to it. Finally, we will explain how to maintain your stainless steel jewelry pieces so that they serve you much longer!
Can You Shower With Stainless Steel?
Let’s start with the great news: stainless steel jewelry can be worn in the shower! Hurrah! However, you need to make sure that your stainless steel jewelry piece is made from 316L.
This is the only type of stainless steel that can be worn in the shower safely. With other stainless steel types, you must be aware of getting them wet because they will not do well.
Besides, stainless steel is absolutely safe to wear in a shower. See, this metal is hypoallergenic, which means that it doesn’t react with your skin no matter whether it is wet or not.
There are metals that may emit harmful components that can cause skin issues, especially if you are wearing them constantly. With stainless steel, there is no need to worry about your stainless steel jewelry even if your skin tends to react with various metals!
Can Jewelry Made Of Stainless Steel Get Wet?
Stainless steel jewelry can get wet. Even if you have 316L stainless steel jewelry, it will get wet anyway. However, you need to know that 316L type of steel contains an element called Chromium. Chromium will protect your stainless steel jewelry from water. What you really have to be aware of is steel jewelry that is advertised as stainless but is fake.
For example, cheap stainless steel pieces that cost $5 – $10 are not stainless steel, in fact. They are, instead, just plain steel pieces of jewelry.
Of course, these rings, bracelets, and necklaces will get damaged by water and will often turn your skin brown or green! In severe cases, your skin may even develop serious diseases that will require long treatment!
This is why it is essential that you buy from a credible jewelry maker that uses 316L stainless steel only and can prove it!
Does Stainless Steel Jewelry Rust If I Wear It In the Shower?
As we have already said, if you have 316L stainless steel jewelry, it is safe to wear in the shower. 316L stainless steel contains chromium that will form a protective layer of chromium oxide on the surface of your stainless steel piece, helping it to resist rust.
Other grades of stainless steel can also be worn in the shower, but 316L is also known as surgical steel. It can resist rust much better than almost any other of the 150 grades of stainless steel! With proper maintenance, the Chromium layer can even repair itself when it gets damaged.
Now you know that you can take a shower safely while wearing your favorite stainless steel jewelry. However, this can only be possible if your jewelry is made of real stainless steel that is marked as 316L (also known as surgical steel).
Does Water Ruin Stainless Steel Jewelry?
There are around 150 types of stainless steel out there and most stainless steel jewelry will not get ruined if it gets in contact with water. That is because stainless steel is covered with a layer of Chromium that forms a protective layer, shielding your stainless steel jewelry from rust and tarnishes.
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However, this rule has a few exceptions you need to keep in mind:
- There are over 150 recognized grades of stainless steel. Some of them withstand water damage very poorly because they have a low amount of Chromium.
- If you damage stainless steel jewelry with a scratch or dent before the Chromium Oxide layer can repair itself, the item may develop rust.
This is why, if you have scratched or dented your steel jewelry piece, it is recommended that you wait for a few days before exposing it to water. In this case, the surface of the jewelry piece will be able to recover the protective layer and repair itself. Also, you can clean damaged stainless steel with vinegar if you want to speed up the recovery process.
Except for being safe to wear in the shower, stainless steel has several other benefits. Below, you can find which ones exactly. It will help you understand why people like this material so much and why it is getting crazily popular these days!
Can I Wear Stainless Steel Jewelry In a Swimming Pool?
If you wear gold or silver jewelry, you know it’s not advised to have it on you when swimming in a pool. Chlorine in pool water affects these metals badly, leading to fading, tarnishes, and other sorts of damage.
Speaking of stainless steel jewelry, it can be worn in the pool. However, it is essential that your steel jewelry piece is exposed to chlorine for short periods of time. Also, you should remember to clean it as soon as possible to remove chlorine residue!
Just for the record, chlorine is a nasty element for metals since it is very corrosive, even to the protective layer on stainless steel. Luckily, your steel jewelry will be in danger only if you expose it to chlorine repeatedly and for a prolonged time. For this reason, if you visit the pool every day, we recommend not wearing stainless steel there while you are swimming.
As for the cleaning, if you are visiting a pool once or twice a week, remember to clean your steel jewelry after each swim. To do that, use water and soft clothe to remove the chlorine residue. No specific cleaning products are needed.
But if you are exposing your stainless steel jewelry pieces to chlorine water daily, there are two dangers that can happen:
- If you swim in chlorine water daily, the protective layer on your stainless steel jewelry piece will not have time to recover.
- If you expose stainless steel to chlorine water for more than a few hours in a row, the protective layer will be destroyed entirely. As a result, there will be microscopic pits that will provoke rust formation.
How to Take Care of Your Stainless Steel Jewelry?
Although stainless steel is durable and easy-to-use metal, it still needs some care and cleaning. The good news is that this metal is easy to maintain, and doing this will not require special skills or cleaning products.
Wash Your Stainless Steel Jewelry With Soap and Water
To maintain stainless steel jewelry, simply wash it with mild soap and warm water. You can do it by following these steps:
- Put your jewelry piece into a bowl with mild soap and warm water.
- Leave it for a few minutes to soak.
- Use a soft bristle brush (e.g. a new toothbrush) to wash the item.
- Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Wash Stainless Steel With Baking Soda
To restore the luster of your steel jewelry, use baking soda. The cleaning process is easy, and you can do it at home anytime by following the steps below:
- Mix water with two teaspoons of baking soda to form a paste-like substance.
- Dip a soft brush into the paste and clean the jewelry.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Dry with a jewelry polishing cloth.
Keep Your Steel Jewelry In Special Jewelry Boxes or Pouches
Investing in jewelry boxes or pouches is the easiest way of keeping your stainless steel jewelry clean longer. Pouches and boxes will protect the items from dust and other elements that can affect their shiny surface and/or damage it.
These pouches are cheap and come in different sizes, which means you can select the one to fit any piece of jewelry be it a small ring or a massive necklace.
Use Jewelry Cleaners For Jewelry Maintenance Routine
To keep your stainless steel jewelry shining even after swimming in a pool or showering with it, use jewelry cleaners. These products are designed to clean jewelry effectively and gently. However, you need to be careful when buying a jewelry cleaner!
Some of them may contain harsh chemicals that can cause the anti-oxidative layer of your stainless steel piece to wear off!
Opt For Expert Cleaning Services
If you don’t have time or desire (or both) to clean your jewelry yourself, you can always pay a jeweler to keep your stainless steel jewelry shiny. They offer expert services, and you can do this as often as you want.
Now you know more about such an excellent metal as stainless steel. It is getting popular these days as a metal for jewelry because stainless steel offers a wide range of benefits for the users. It is long-lasting, durable, and very easy to maintain.
Plus, as you already know, this metal is waterproof and resistant to corrosion and rust. It means you can wear stainless steel jewelry daily and even swim with it in a pool or the sea!
Salt and chlorine will not harm the metal unless it’s a daily and long-lasting exposure. And since you are now aware of a few easy cleaning tips, you will easily keep your steel jewelry shiny much longer!
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