Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Glass and Acrylic Awards

The brilliance of winning an award doesn’t dull once you’ve taken home the prize. Showcasing awards allows you to highlight your own and others’ success for years to come. That requires a little elbow grease when it comes to cleaning and maintaining them, especially if they’re made of glass and acrylic. Both materials need TLC to ensure they shine brightly.

Understanding the Difference Between Glass and Acrylic Awards

While glass and acrylic share similar qualities in terms of clarity and customizability, their different compositions mean you’ll need to adjust your approach to cleaning and care. Some chemical cleaners that are suitable for glass and crystal can damage acrylic. Both can sustain scratches when handled improperly, so it’s important to use the right tools before you begin cleaning and polishing.

How to Clean Glass Awards

Glass awards can collect dust over time, taking away from their luster. Fingerprints can be seen easily, too, so polishing them after you’ve handled them will eliminate those imperfections.

Use a feather duster or dry microfiber cloth to remove dust particles from the surface of your trophy or plaque. Spray glass cleaner or a one-to-four parts mixture of white vinegar and water on a soft cloth. Mild soap combined with warm water is another option for a quick clean. Don’t apply the solution directly onto the glass or crystal to avoid drips and streaks.

How to Clean Acrylic Awards

While acrylics are durable, strong cleansers can leave behind a cloudy film and degrade the finish. That includes glass cleaner, multipurpose cleaner, alcohol, acetone and ammonia. In this case, warm water mixed with mild soap is the best product but avoid using scalding liquids.

Dust the surface of your acrylic award to remove contaminants that could create scratches during polishing. Gently wipe the surface with the soapy mixture, then rinse the cloth and wipe away the residue before drying. You can brighten acrylic awards occasionally with non-abrasive plastic polish. Just be mindful not to scrub too hard to avoid overworking the material.

Prevent Damage with Proper Maintenance and Storage

Don’t let your hard work go to waste by failing to store your glass and acrylic awards properly. Here are some suggestions.

Tips for Maintaining Glass Awards

Store awards in a case: Keeping your trophies and plaques in a display case limits the amount of dust buildup. That reduces the need for cleaning and protects them from environmental damage.

Maintain a cleaning schedule: Staying on top of cleaning makes long-term upkeep simple. Dust your glass awards at least once a month, or weekly if they’re exposed to more high-traffic environments.

Consider professional restoration: Sometimes, a professional touch is necessary to bring luster back to your awards. They use non-abrasive techniques and specialized equipment to enhance glass and crystal surfaces.

Ways to Maintain Acrylic Awards

Avoid storing in sunlight: UV light can cause discoloration and fading in acrylic material. If you’re displaying your awards, move them away from windows to protect their shine.

Avoid extreme temperatures: Because acrylic is thermoplastic, it can warp and discolor when exposed to heat. Display your awards in a cool, dry environment with a stable temperature.

Don’t apply abrasive materials: Harsh chemicals and rough materials may create small scratches that reduce clarity and alter engravings.

Custom Glass and Acrylic Awards from Sylvan Studio

Whether you’re celebrating an achievement or milestone, Sylvan Studio can provide custom glass and acrylic awards that are suitable for a variety of occasions. Our team works closely with you to ensure we craft a piece that represents your brand and honors the recipient. Review our product catalog and contact us to schedule a consultation.