How to Remove a Ring That's Stuck on a Finger

Maybe that ring's been on your finger for a mighty long time. Or perhaps the hot weather has caused your fingers to swell. Here's how to ease a ring off.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hand lotion, dishwashing liquid or olive oil

1. Soak your hand in ice-cold water if it is swollen. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the swelling to recede.

2. Apply lubricant around the ring and up the length of your finger. Hand lotion, dishwashing liquid or olive oil will do the trick.

3. Twist the ring as you slowly work it up and over the knuckle. You may need to apply some force to get it over the first knuckle. Make sure to twist, not tug.

4. If the ring still won't budge, visit a doctor to have it removed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're experiencing swelling from an injury, it is important to remove any rings before the swelling worsens, because the rings might cut off the finger's blood supply.

[daisycharlene]

on 11/8/2009 Unfortunately, I have gained a lot of weight and I have been unable to wear my wedding & engagement ring. I thought my fingers had were small enough again to wear them. Two days later I woke up with the ring so tight, if I attempted to pull them off, my finger would instantly turn blue. I was freaked and came online. I tried the dental floss, but didn't work. Then I saw many using Windex. T WORKS!! I put a piece of ice on my finger & held it over my head for a little more than 5 minutes. Squirted a TON of Windex on my finger, twisted & with a lot of pain they both came off! I am so relieved I thought I was going to have to get them cut off! My poor finger, but I will never do that again & definitely going to the jeweler for a re size!

[daisycharlene]

on 11/8/2009 Unfortunately, I have gained a lot of weight and I have been unable to wear my wedding & engagement ring. I thought my fingers had were small enough again to wear them. Two days later I woke up with the ring so tight, if I attempted to pull them off, my finger would instantly turn blue. I was freaked and came online. I tried the dental floss, but didn't work. Then I saw many using Windex. T WORKS!! I put a piece of ice on my finger & held it over my head for a little more than 5 minutes. Squirted a TON of Windex on my finger, twisted & with a lot of pain they both came off! I am so relieved I thought I was going to have to get them cut off! My poor finger, but I will never do that again & definitely going to the jeweler for a re size!

[doktorv]

on 10/29/2009 my wife and i tried a combination of the above methods:
wrapped the finger in cling film, elevated the hand, used a bit of ice...for about 5 mins.
then she used the window cleaner, pulled, and (with a bit of pain unfortunately) got them off. success!

some wine eased the pain thereafter. now to get them resized!

[digitalvixen]

on 10/7/2009 I had a heck of a time getting a ring off. and I used Windex and it actually worked. I TRIED everything from vaseline, lotions, conditioners etc..I never though windex would work. I sprayed it on my finger and ring..and a few turns, NO pain and there ya go it was off.

[ssarah]

on 10/6/2009 Hi honey - Just for the lubricant I have to add that vaseline or soap will do the trick too. And it also helps to move the ring a little upwards and back again to make sure thate the lubricant is also beneath the ring and not only around it.