How to Clean and Maintain Plexiglass? (2024)

  • Guide
  • How To
  • Glass Genius
  • March 21, 2022
  • 4 minute read

Acrylic glass, also referred to as plexiglass, is gaining popularity in residential and commercial spaces due to its unique properties. It is shatterproof, highly transparent, easy to use, durable, and extremely lightweight. All these properties together make plexiglass a perfect alternative to glass. That’s the reason why acrylic has replaced glass in countless applications.

Clear plastic has high optical clarity and it can stay that way for over 40 yeast. However, acrylic, like any other surface, needs to be cleaned from time to time. The surface can get dull and dirty after some time. So it’s important to clean plexiglass regularly to enhance its service life.

Cleaning your displays on a regular basis helps in retaining the luster and transparency of the material. Thankfully, plexiglass is an easy material with respect to maintenance and application. Not only is cleaning the acrylic glass easy but you can also learn how to cut plexiglass at home. You only need some everyday use products to bring the clear products to their original glory.

In this article, we will explore how to clean plexiglass using the simplest of methods. So let’s get into it.

How to Clean Plexiglass – Easy Cleaning Process

How to Clean and Maintain Plexiglass? (2)

When you hear about cleaning a transparent surface, a simple method of cleaning pops up in your mind. We will start with that one – the most prevalent and easiest way of cleaning any transparent surface.

Step 1: Clear the Surface of any Dust

Start by removing any dust or grime from the surface of the plexiglass. But we will recommend you not to use your regular duster. Use your hand or a piece of cloth to clean the surface.

You can also use a blow dryer to blow air across the pane. Make sure to set the dryer to the lowest/coolest setting. Never heat plexiglass. Hold the blow dryer at a 45-degree angle and run it side-to-side down the surface to remove any dust particles.

Step 2: Apply Plexiglass Cleaner

Once you have cleared the surface of dust, spray a non-abrasive acrylic cleaner onto a small portion of the plexiglass. You can also use a mild soap solution for cleaning the plexiglass.

After applying the cleaner, gently wipe the area down with a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth. Continue applying the cleaner and wiping it away in small portions until the entire surface has been cleaned.

Step 3: Dry the Surface

After cleaning the acrylic glass surface, take a squeegee or a clean piece of cloth to wipe the surface dry. And your plexiglass surface is as clean as new!

Some Important Things to Consider

  • Using the wrong cleaning products might completely destroy your acrylic displays, rendering them useless. So it’s important to use the right cleaning products.
  • Paper towels are ineffective at removing scratches. In fact, they can possibly create scratches.
  • Use a microfiber cloth instead of a cotton cloth.
  • Avoid ammonia-based cleaners and household glass cleaners since they contain dangerous compounds that can damage the acrylic glass surface and leave it foggy. The safest and most effective cleaning solution for acrylic is soapy water.

Advanced Cleaning Methods of Plexiglass/ Acrylic Sheet

We have discussed the most basic and easiest way to clean acrylic glass. However, there are some more extensive ways of cleaning the plexiglass surface. These methods involve comprehensive scraping, sanding, buffing, and other such steps. These advanced techniques are used by manufacturers and designers to clean acrylic sheets for commercial and custom-crafted projects.

Though techniques are not really recommended for DIY cleaning projects. And it should be done very carefully.

After all is said and done about cleaning the plexiglass!

Regular cleaning and proper maintenance will effectively increase the durability of your acrylic surfaces. So make sure to invest some time in acrylic glass cleaning.

But as a matter of fact, it won’t matter how much time and money you spend on cleaning if your plexiglass is not of good quality. So before making a purchase make sure to confirm the authenticity of the seller and the product.

Glass Genius has come forward with an innovative idea of bringing world-class glass sellers on one platform for customer convenience. Head over to Glass Genius for finding the best quality products and the most authentic plexiglass sheets and acrylic glass sellers.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do you clean foggy plexiglass?

In order to clean a foggy plexiglass surface, use a microfiber cloth. Avoid cotton cloth and ammonia-based or other household glass cleaners. The safest and most effective cleaning solution for acrylic is a mild soap-water solution. Spray the soap and water solution onto the acrylic surface and clean it with a microfiber cloth.

Can you use vinegar to clean plexiglass?

No. Cleaning acrylic glass with vinegar is never a good idea. No doubt vinegar is a great cleaning product but it has an acidic nature that can damage the plexiglass surface. So avoid using vinegar for clearing plexiglass at all costs.

Can I clean the plexiglass with alcohol?

Alcohol-based cleaning products are harmful to plexiglass. So it’s not recommended to clean the plexiglass surface with alcohol or alcohol-based cleaners. Also avoid using solvents like acetone, dry-cleaning fluid, or any gritty cleaner or polish on the plexiglass since these materials will harm the surface.

What is the best thing to clean plexiglass with?

Mild soap water or detergent solutions are the best things to clean plexiglass with. Use a soft and clean cloth and plenty of lukewarm water to make the acrylic surface as clean as new. Spray the soap or detergent solution on the plexiglass surface and clean it by gently exerting some pressure.

Does WD 40 hurt plexiglass?

Chemicals should never be used to clean acrylic since they will harm it. WD-40 also comes under the category of petroleum-based chemicals so you should avoid it.

How do you disinfect plexiglass from COVID?

Any mild disinfectant can be used to disinfect the plexiglass surface. First, clean the surface with soap and water. Apply a disinfectant then, wipe with a clean piece of cloth and sterilize your plexiglass surface.

Related Topics
  • acrylic sheets
  • clean plexiglass
  • how to clean plexiglass
  • how to maintain plexiglass
  • plexiglass cleaner
  • plexiglass sheets

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How to Clean and Maintain Plexiglass? (2024)

FAQs

How to Clean and Maintain Plexiglass? ›

Safe cleaning solutions for plexiglass include warm water with a mild dish soap or a specialized plastic or acrylic cleaner. Avoid cleaning solutions containing ammonia, alcohol, or aromatics as they can cause damage.

Is it OK to use Windex on plexiglass? ›

Use only a very soft damp cloth when cleaning acrylic surfaces. It is possible to scratch acrylic, so NEVER use any scouring compounds or chemical cleaners such as Windex or other glass cleaners (even if they are environmentally friendly, organic or non-scented).

How do you bring plexiglass back to life? ›

The first thing to deteriorate on plexiglass is the surface and the usual cause is UV damage from sunlight. The process to correct this is to remove the damaged surface. This is accomplished by wet sanding starting at 400 grit and working down to 3000 grit. You can then remove any final haze with a polishing compound.

How do you fix cloudy plexiglass? ›

For removing and buffing out scratches and haze, use a plastic polish, car polish, or automobile wax with a clean, microfiber cloth. If the acrylic is still hazy, carefully sand the acrylic using a number of different grits, followed by a more abrasive polish.

Does WD-40 clean plexiglass? ›

Here are ones to avoid: Any ammonia based cleaner e.g. window and glass cleaners. ​Abrasive or caustic cleaners. WD-40 or any other petroleum-based chemical.

Can you use Dawn dish soap to clean plexiglass? ›

You can also make a homemade solution with water and mild dish soap. Use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe the surface down gently. Be careful only to make contact with portions of plexiglass that have cleaner on them.

What's the best cleaner for plexiglass? ›

Safe cleaning solutions for plexiglass include warm water with a mild dish soap or a specialized plastic or acrylic cleaner. Avoid cleaning solutions containing ammonia, alcohol, or aromatics as they can cause damage.

Does vinegar damage plexiglass? ›

Vinegar is acidic: this makes it great for cleaning all kinds of surfaces, but it's not a good pick for more delicate materials like plexiglass.

Can you polish plexiglass to be clear again? ›

Take a dot of acrylic glass polishing paste and spread it on the surface of the plexiglass and start polishing. This can be done by hand or with a cloth disc. Check the result regularly and do not polish too long with the polishing cloth or polishing machine in one place.

Does hydrogen peroxide clean plexiglass? ›

Plexiglass Cleaning Product

Make sure your product does not include alcohol, which can dull plexiglass. When choosing a disinfectant, look for an Ecologo or third party certified disinfectant with a safer, less aggressive active ingredient like hydrogen peroxide or a neutral pH cleaner/disinfectant.

Can you use white vinegar on plexiglass? ›

Can you use vinegar to clean plexiglass? No. Cleaning acrylic glass with vinegar is never a good idea. No doubt vinegar is a great cleaning product but it has an acidic nature that can damage the plexiglass surface.

What is the difference between acrylic and plexiglass? ›

Plexiglass is a type of acrylic. You may know it as Plexiglas, but plexiglass itself is not a trademarked term. Because standard acrylic and plexiglass are so similar, you can often use them for the same applications. The main differences are in the way that companies manufacture plexiglass and acrylic plastic sheets.

Can you use rubbing alcohol to clean plexiglass? ›

The most important thing to understand before cleaning acrylic or plexiglass shields is to never use harmful solvents. Especially refrain from using alcohol such as methyl, ethyl, isopropanol, or acetone. Cleaning acrylic in this manner will lead to microfractures and cloudiness, compromising surface integrity.

Can you use CLR on plexiglass? ›

Yes, Brilliant Bath is perfectly safe for acrylic. Follow the directions on the bottle and be sure to rinse after 2-3 minutes.

Can you use alcohol wipes on plexiglass? ›

The most important thing to understand before cleaning acrylic or plexiglass shields is to never use harmful solvents. Especially refrain from using alcohol such as methyl, ethyl, isopropanol, or acetone. Cleaning acrylic in this manner will lead to microfractures and cloudiness, compromising surface integrity.

Can you use vinegar and water to clean plexiglass? ›

No. Cleaning acrylic glass with vinegar is never a good idea. No doubt vinegar is a great cleaning product but it has an acidic nature that can damage the plexiglass surface. So avoid using vinegar for clearing plexiglass at all costs.

How do you clean plexiglass for framing? ›

How to Clean Acrylic and Plexiglass. When cleaning acrylic, it's best to use mild soap and water or a product designed for cleaning plastics. Regular glass cleaner is not recommended. Paper towels also can be a little abrasive, so we prefer a soft cotton or micro-fiber cloth.

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