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
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
