Acrylic is tougher than glass in almost every way, but it has one weakness: it scratches more easily. Use the wrong cloth, the wrong cleaner or even wipe it while it’s dry and you’ll leave fine marks across the surface. The good news is that cleaning acrylic properly is straightforward once you know the basics. Get it right and your sheets will stay crystal clear for years.
What You’ll Need
A bucket of lukewarm water, a few drops of mild washing-up liquid, a clean microfibre cloth and a second dry microfibre cloth for buffing. That’s genuinely all it takes. If your sheets are outside or heavily soiled, a soft sponge helps for the initial wash. For stubborn marks, a dedicated plastic polish will sort things out without causing damage.
Step by Step
Start by rinsing the surface with clean water. This is the step most people skip and it’s the one that causes the most scratches. Dust and grit sitting on the surface act like sandpaper the moment you start wiping. A quick rinse with water or a gentle spray from a hose removes the loose particles before you touch the surface.
Mix a small amount of washing-up liquid into lukewarm water. Dip your microfibre cloth, wring it out so it’s damp rather than dripping and wipe the acrylic using gentle, straight strokes. Don’t press hard and don’t use circular motions, as both increase the risk of swirl marks. Work from top to bottom so dirty water runs away from the areas you’ve already cleaned.
Rinse the cloth frequently to avoid dragging trapped dirt across the surface. Once the sheet looks clean, go over it one more time with a fresh cloth dampened with plain water to remove any soap residue. Then buff dry with your second microfibre cloth using light, even strokes.
What to Avoid
Household glass cleaners are the biggest culprit. Products like Windolene and many supermarket glass sprays contain ammonia, alcohol or both. These chemicals attack the surface of acrylic, causing cloudiness that’s impossible to reverse. Paper towels and newspaper are also off the list. They feel soft to the touch but they’re abrasive enough to leave fine scratches on acrylic. Kitchen cloths with a rough weave will do the same.
Never wipe acrylic dry. Even if the surface looks clean, microscopic dust particles will be there. Always dampen the cloth first. Pressure washers are too aggressive for acrylic. The concentrated jet can pit the surface or force water behind panels that are mounted or sealed.
Dealing with Scratches
Light surface scratches can often be polished out using a dedicated acrylic polish or a very fine cutting compound applied with a soft cloth. Work in straight lines along the scratch, not across it. For deeper scratches, wet-and-dry sandpaper in progressively finer grits (800, then 1200, then 2000) followed by polishing compound will restore clarity. It takes patience but it works.
Keeping Acrylic Clean Longer
An anti-static cleaner designed for plastics reduces dust attraction between cleans. After washing and drying, spray a light mist of anti-static cleaner and buff it in. This leaves a thin protective layer that repels dust and makes the next clean even easier. For outdoor acrylic like greenhouse panels or secondary glazing, a clean every few months is usually enough. Indoor pieces need attention less often unless they’re in a kitchen or high-traffic area.
Looking after your acrylic properly means it stays clear and scratch-free for the long haul. If you’re starting a new project, take a look at our clear acrylic sheets, available cut to size with fast UK delivery.