Quick answer: Clean an acrylic print with a clean microfiber cloth and plain water (or a drop of mild dish soap in water). Never use glass cleaner, ammonia, alcohol, acetone, or paper towels — they can cloud, haze, or scratch the acrylic. Wipe gently in straight lines, then dry with a second dry microfiber cloth.
What you need
- Two clean microfiber cloths (one damp, one dry)
- Plain water in a spray bottle, or a bowl of water with one drop of mild dish soap
- Optional: a plastic-safe cleaner made for acrylic, such as Novus No. 1 or Brillianize
How to clean an acrylic print, step by step
- Dust first. Blow or lightly brush loose dust off the surface with a dry microfiber cloth. Rubbing grit into the acrylic is what causes fine scratches, so get the dust off before you wipe.
- Dampen the cloth, not the print. Lightly mist the microfiber cloth with water. Don't spray the print directly — water can run behind the panel and sit against the wall or the printed back.
- Wipe gently in straight lines. Go top to bottom with light pressure. Avoid circular scrubbing, which spreads any grit around and leaves swirl marks.
- Dry with the second cloth. Buff lightly with the dry microfiber cloth to remove water spots and streaks.
- Fingerprints or smudges that won't lift? Add one drop of mild dish soap to a cup of water, dampen the cloth, wipe, then rinse the cloth and wipe again with plain water.
What not to use on acrylic
- Glass cleaner (Windex and similar). Most contain ammonia, which attacks acrylic and leaves a permanent haze or tiny cracks over time.
- Rubbing alcohol, acetone, nail polish remover, paint thinner. Solvents soften and craze acrylic.
- Paper towels, tissues, and rough sponges. They are abrasive enough to leave micro-scratches on a glossy surface.
- Scouring powders or "magic eraser" pads. These are fine abrasives and will dull the finish.
- Dry wiping a dusty print. Dust is grit; always dampen first.
How often should you clean it?
A light dusting every few weeks is plenty. A full damp-cloth clean is only needed when fingerprints or smudges show. Acrylic builds a little static, which attracts dust; a quick pass with a microfiber cloth handles that, and an anti-static acrylic cleaner reduces it if the print lives in a dusty room.
Removing light scratches
Very fine surface scratches on the clear front can often be reduced with a plastic polish such as Novus No. 2, applied with a soft cloth in straight strokes. Stop if the scratch doesn't improve after a couple of passes. Deeper scratches can't be polished out of a printed panel, and the printed image on the back can't be repaired, which is why gentle cleaning matters more than any fix.
PrismScript prints specifically
PrismScript prints are made on 3/16-inch clear acrylic with the image printed directly on the back of the panel, so the glossy front surface is pure acrylic and the image is protected behind it. Cleaning the front as described above is safe. Don't use any cleaner on the back of the panel where the ink is. If a print ever arrives damaged, it's covered by our reprint guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Windex on an acrylic print?
No. Windex and most glass cleaners contain ammonia, which clouds acrylic over time. Use plain water or a cleaner labeled safe for acrylic or plexiglass.
Can I use a paper towel?
Avoid it. Paper towels are abrasive on glossy acrylic and leave fine scratches. Use microfiber.
Is dish soap safe for acrylic?
Yes, a single drop of mild dish soap in a cup of water is safe. Rinse with a plain-water wipe afterward so no film is left.
How do I get rid of static dust on an acrylic print?
Wipe with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. For a longer-lasting fix, use an anti-static acrylic cleaner like Brillianize.
Can acrylic prints be cleaned with alcohol wipes?
No. Alcohol can craze (micro-crack) acrylic. Water only.
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