How to care for your acrylic displays (without wrecking them)

Acrylic is one of the best materials you can use in a retail environment. It’s clear, clean, and it makes your products look like they belong in a high-end boutique — not a craft fair table. But it does have a few quirks. Treat it right and it’ll look great for years. Treat it wrong and you’ll have scratches and haze you can’t undo.

Here’s everything you need to know.

THE GOLDEN RULE: SOFT CLOTH ONLY

This is the one that trips people up the most. Acrylic scratches easier than glass, and the wrong cleaning material will leave fine scratches that build up over time and make your display look cloudy.

Use: Microfiber cloths, soft cotton cloths, or dedicated acrylic polishing cloths.

Never use: Paper towels, regular dish rags, tissue, or anything that feels even slightly abrasive. Paper towels in particular are surprisingly rough on acrylic.

WHAT TO CLEAN IT WITH

You don’t need anything fancy. Warm water and a drop of mild dish soap works perfectly for everyday dust and fingerprints. Dampen your cloth, wipe gently, and follow up with a dry microfiber cloth.

If you want something more convenient, look for a cleaner specifically labeled safe for acrylic or plexiglass. Brillianize and Novus Plastic Clean & Shine are two solid options you can find online.

Hard avoid: Windex and other ammonia-based glass cleaners. Ammonia will cloud acrylic over time — sometimes immediately. Same goes for anything with alcohol, acetone, or bleach. It might look fine at first, then one day your display just looks… off.

DEALING WITH SCRATCHES

Light surface scratches happen. The good news is acrylic is one of the few materials where you can actually buff them out.

Novus makes a three-step plastic polish system that works really well. You start with Novus 2 (fine scratch remover) for light scratches, or Novus 3 (heavy scratch remover) if it’s deeper, then finish with Novus 1 to restore the shine. It’s the same stuff detailers use on headlights.

For very fine scratches or haze, even a little car paste wax buffed in gently can restore a lot of clarity

STATIC AND DUST

Acrylic builds up a static charge, which is why it seems to attract dust faster than other surfaces. A product like Brillianize or any anti-static plastic cleaner will help cut down on how often you’re wiping things down. Worth it if your display is in a high-traffic spot.

MOVING AND STORING DISPLAYS

If you’re a brand that ships to retailers, or a retailer who rotates displays seasonally, this part matters a lot.

— Leave the protective film on until the very last second before the display goes into use. Once it’s off, it’s off.

— When stacking or storing acrylic pieces, put a soft cloth or foam sheet between them. Acrylic-on-acrylic contact will scratch.

— Avoid storing in direct sunlight for extended periods. UV exposure can cause yellowing over time, especially with lower-grade acrylic.

ONE MORE THING: HEAT

Acrylic doesn’t love heat. Don’t put it next to heat vents, in direct sunlight in a hot window, or anywhere it’ll get consistently warm. It can warp. This is especially relevant for candle brands — keep your displays a safe distance from open flames and warm candle surfaces.

THE SHORT VERSION

— Microfiber cloth only

— Soap and water or acrylic-specific cleaner

— No Windex, no alcohol, no acetone

— Buff scratches with Novus plastic polish

— Keep away from heat and prolonged sun

Your acrylic display is an investment in how your brand looks on the shelf. A little bit of the right care goes a long way.

Prince Fabrication makes custom acrylic retail displays for brands and boutiques. If you’re looking for something built to last, contact us or browse our display catalog.