How to Clean Acrylic

Keeping acrylic surfaces free of dust and smudges will help keep your displays looking their best. Routine cleaning is simple and only takes a few minutes.

Here are a few things to keep in mind.

First, never use abrasive products. This will cause scratches in the material, causing the acrylic to lose its luster and become dull looking. Scouring cleaning agents may be an obvious no no, but other common cleaning products like paper towels can also cause scratches. For best results, we recommend a soft, lint free microfiber cloth. A cotton cloth will also work but may leave behind some lint.

Second, avoid harsh chemicals such as acetone and ethyl alcohol. Also, avoid ammonia based products like Windex. Harsh cleaning products may cause the acrylic to become hazy and some may even degrade the material over time. For general cleaning, a few drops of plain dish soap diluted in a spray bottle with warm water works remarkably well. Rinse with plain water if any residue remains.

If you are looking to sanitize your acrylic sneeze guards, Plaskolite, the manufacturer of Optix brand acrylic, has these recommendations in accordance with CDC guidelines:

1. Warm soapy water. Wash the surface with dishwashing soap for a minimum of 20 seconds, and then rinse with clean water
2. Hydrogen peroxide. Use 3 to 5% hydrogen peroxide. Do not dilute and allow to remain on for several minutes
3. Bleach. Dilute household bleach (not the stronger concentrations) – 1/3 cup to 1 gallon of water or 4 tsp of bleach per quart of water. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and contact time.

You can find the official document here: Disinfectant Solutions from Plaskolite. Make sure to follow the directions for the correct material (Optix).

We hope this article will help you keep your acrylic looking shiny and new with these tips on how to clean acrylic!