Cleaning Plexiglass

Unfortunately Windex cannot clean everything, nor should it. Most glass cleaning products contain ammonia or alcohol that, while harmless on glass, will damage your plexiglass. Your first step in cleaning plexiglass it to break the habit of reaching for the glass cleaner. Harsh chemicals will alter plexiglass and cause it to become opaque, thus frustrating any hope of keeping the plexiglass as clean and transparent as possible.

If your plexiglass has been installed or provided by a manufacturer you may want to check and see if the manufacturer suggests any specialized cleaning products. If possible, follow the directions for cleaning and maintenance provided by your manufacturer.

If you are hoping to clean your plexiglass with household items you can follow this procedure:

Begin by blowing the dirt and dust off the surface of the plexiglass. Avoid using your hand or a dry cloth to remove dirt; you might rub the dirt in harder and accidentally scratch the surface of the plexiglass.

Once you have air-removed as much dirt as possible wet down the surface. It is best to create a layer of running water over the plexiglass so the dirt will be able to just float off. Avoid spraying the plexiglass with too much force, otherwise the surface could become chipped. (An example would be using a hose and pressure nozzle on the plexiglass. Such force is not necessary.)

Using a soft, lint-free cloth, wash the surface with warm soapy water. You can use liquid dish soap or gentle, non-abrasive liquid dishwashing soap. Rinse and dry the plexiglass with another soft, lint-free cloth. Don't allow the plexiglass to air dry, otherwise water spots will be left behind. Also, avoid using paper towels in the cleaning process because even they are abrasive enough to cause small scratches and eventual opaqueness.

Clean your plexiglass as often as is needed. By not allowing too much dirt and dust to build up, you will avoid the need to clean and scrub too harshly later.