ADA Sign Care: How to Clean Acrylic Signs

By Mike Shabluk | May 7, 2024

If you have ADA signs in your building (as you should), they’re probably made of acrylic. It’s one of the most affordable, durable, and low-maintenance options for ADA displays. But acrylic signage still requires regular upkeep. That’s why you need to know how to clean acrylic signs properly.

Maybe you’ve just purchased new indoor ADA signs. Perhaps you’ve noticed your current displays are looking a little worse for the wear. Either way, the information on sign cleaning below can help you keep your displays in great condition. 

But before diving into the how, let’s talk about the why. It’s worth knowing why you should make ADA sign care and maintenance a priority. 

Why ADA Sign Care & Maintenance Matters

Many people assume their work is done once they order and mount ADA signage in their building. But this isn’t the case. Signs are like anything else in your building; they need to be regularly cleaned to stay in tip-top shape. You may not think a bit of dirt or a few minor scratches will have much of an impact. In reality, failing to address these issues can affect your business.

Learning how to clean acrylic signs you’ve installed inside your facility for ADA compliance is essential. 

Here’s why...

• Signs in poor condition can be difficult to read.

When your displays are covered in smudges, dust, dirt, and scuff marks, reading them can be a challenge. People with limited vision may struggle to understand the information on a sign. The purpose of ADA signs is to provide those individuals with the guidance they need to enjoy equal access to your building. So, you can see why poorly maintained signs can be a problem. 

• Lack of sign maintenance can give customers a negative impression.

The state of your building and the features within it—including your signage—can affect how people view your business. In fact, a FedEx Office® survey found that 68% of consumers believe signage reflects the quality of a business’s products or services. The last thing you want is for potential customers to walk into your facility and see that your signs are in bad shape. It can give them a negative impression you may not be able to change. 

• By not caring for your signage, you’re not protecting your investment. 

Even if you get ADA signs at a great price, you’re still making an investment—one you need to protect. After all, your organization likely has a strict budget in place. That means you can’t afford to replace your signs every year. But without the necessary upkeep, your acrylic displays wear down much faster. And as a result, you’re forced to buy new ones more frequently. 

• The state of your signs can affect staff morale. 

Your staff members spend the most time in your building. So when your signs are dusty, stained, or in disrepair, they notice. This kind of neglect suggests a lack of care and attention to detail. Your employees may think you don’t prioritize the quality of their work environment. In short, failing to maintain your signage can contribute to a negative atmosphere and hurt staff morale. 

How to Clean Acrylic Signs Properly

If you’re concerned about the time and effort required to get your ADA displays looking their best, don’t be. You’ll quickly find that it’s not a complicated task. Of course, it may take a while if you have a large building with dozens of signs. Fortunately, you don’t have to clean your ADA displays as often as you might think.     

In learning how to clean acrylic signs properly, it all comes down to...

• Having the right tools
• Following the proper steps
• Making cleaning a regular task
• Avoiding certain practices

(Keep in mind that the information below is specific to interior sign cleaning, not exterior sign cleaning. For large, hard-to-reach outdoor signs, you can typically use a pressure washer at a low setting.)

What Tools You Need

To clean and care for your acrylic ADA signs correctly, you need to start with the right tools. The good news is most of the items on the list are cleaning supplies you should already have on hand. However, you may have to buy a few specialty items for deep cleaning or scratch removal if your signs are in particularly bad shape. 

Here are the tools you need for proper sign cleaning:

• A soft cloth – A gentle sponge or microfiber cloth is recommended for washing and drying acrylic. 
• Mild soap or detergent – A non-citrus dish soap is safe for sign cleaning when water alone isn’t enough.  
• A container of lukewarm water – Make sure the water you use is clean and around room temperature.
• Cotton swabs – These make it easier to clean between grooves and around tactile characters.
• Compressed air – This can be used to remove dust from engraved areas and tight spaces.
• Gloves(optional) – Although gloves aren’t required, they’re a good idea to protect your hands.

What Steps to Follow

Once you’ve gathered all the necessary tools, you can get to work. As mentioned, cleaning acrylic signs isn’t a difficult task. But it’s important to be careful and follow the steps below for every acrylic ADA sign in your building. 

Here’s how to clean acrylic signs:

1. Remove surface debris.

Start by using a can of compressed air to clear dust and debris from any engraved areas. This step ensures the surface is free from loose particles.

2. Wash the sign.

Dip your cloth into the soapy water mixture and gently clean the sign using circular motions. This helps remove dirt, grease, and grime without scratching the acrylic. 

3. Go over small areas with swabs.

If there’s stubborn dirt in grooves or between tactile characters, use cotton swabs as needed.

4. Blot the sign dry.

With the dry side of the cloth (or a new cloth), carefully blot the sign until completely dry. Avoid rubbing the sign too hard to prevent streaking and scraping the acrylic. 

How Often to Clean Signs

Cleaning your acrylic ADA signs isn’t something you have to do very often. In fact, it’s usually enough to clean your signs every three months. Of course, you may need to clean ADA signs in high-traffic areas more frequently. That’s because they’re more prone to smudges and fingerprints. But in most cases, you can make this aspect of sign care a seasonal task. 

What Practices to Avoid

It’s not enough to know how to clean acrylic signs properly. You should also be aware of what practices to avoid. Many people think they’re caring for their signs when they’re actually damaging the material. Since your goal is maintenance, it’s worth learning about common mistakes people make. 

With that in mind, here are some extra tips:

• DON’T use paper towels, steel wool, tough brushes, or other abrasive tools to clean signs.
• DON’T apply any cleaning product containing citrus, ammonia, or other strong chemicals to acrylic. 
• DON’T use a cleaning solution designed to remove grease, like kitchen or glass cleaners.
• DON’T attempt to scrub your acrylic signs clean; instead, use gentle circular motions. 
• DON’T leave moisture on your signs once you’re done cleaning; always blot them dry. 
• DON’T wipe acrylic signs with a dry cloth; use an appropriate dusting tool for light cleaning.
• DON’T apply polish to signs without testing it first; many polishes leave signage with a shiny finish, which is not ADA compliant. 

Although acrylic is a durable material, you need to be careful when cleaning it. You should always use soft cloths, mild cleansers, and gentle motions. That way, you can keep your signs shiny and spotless for years to come. 

Takeaway

When you install ADA signs in your building, remember that upkeep is crucial. Practicing good sign care can help you maintain your displays for years to come. Plus, you can simplify navigation, give a positive impression, and improve staff morale. So, review the information above to learn how to clean acrylic signs. In doing so, you can feel confident you’re caring for your signage properly. If you have any questions about acrylic ADA signage or want to place an order, contact us at Erie Custom Signs today!