How to Clean and Care for Engraved Metal and Acrylic Items
Simple care tips for keeping engraved metal and acrylic pieces looking sharp, and what shortens their life if you're not careful.
Metal and acrylic are both a lot more forgiving than wood or leather, which is exactly why people tend to skip caring for them altogether. A little attention goes a long way toward keeping either one looking like the day it was made.
Metal
A damp cloth handles most cleaning. Skip abrasive cleaners on anodized or coated metal, since they can wear through the finish over time. Dry it right after cleaning, especially on stainless, to avoid water spots.
Acrylic
Avoid glass cleaners with ammonia. They can cloud or craze acrylic over months of use, even if it looks fine at first. A microfiber cloth with mild soap and water is all it really needs, and keep colored acrylic out of direct sun for long stretches to avoid fading.
Things That Shorten the Life of Either
- Paper towels, which can put fine scratches in acrylic
- Harsh chemical cleaners not meant for the material
- The dishwasher, unless we've told you the piece is safe for it
- Long-term direct sunlight, especially for colored acrylic
When It Still Looks Rough
A light buffing can bring acrylic back if it's picked up minor surface scratches. If something looks off and you're not sure why, send us a photo and we'll tell you what's actually going on.