How to Clean Acrylic Furniture & Accessories

This post on how to clean acrylic was updated in August 2022.

For some admirers, acrylic furniture is associated with the glamorous era of Hollywood Regency. For others, the iconic Louis Ghost Chair, introduced by renowned designer Philippe Starck in 2002, comes to mind. Either way, one thing is clear (pun intended): acrylic is as timeless and beloved now as it was when it was first introduced to the world of home décor in the 1930s.

From acrylic lighting to accessories, these versatile pieces look great in every décor and inherently add to the visual lightness of a room. But for those who finally decide to invest in an acrylic piece of furniture, one question always remains: How do I clean it? Read on for our tips and tricks to keeping your acrylic furniture polished to a glossy sheen and free of scratches!

First, can we talk about what not to do? Given its similarity in appearance to glass, you may think using a glass cleaner, like Windex, would do the trick. You would be wrong. Don’t do it! It will only deteriorate the acrylic over time and cause it to look cloudy. And don’t use that dirty dusting cloth you have lying around, either. It may contain fine, abrasive particles that will scratch the surface.

As you’ve probably guessed, you’ll need a clean, highly absorbent and non abrasive microfiber polishing cloth. Look for one made from ultra fine fibers. While many people suggest using soap and water to clean your table, we recommend Brillianize polish, which is specially made to polish, preserve and protect a variety of plastics. (It’s also great for electronics, stainless steel appliances, granite, chrome and glass, so it’s handy to have around.)

Now that you’ve got your two VIP tools in hand, focus on cleaning one small area at a time. Apply one or two squirts of Brillianize, then use your microfiber cloth to completely polish the surface before moving on to the next area.

As the old saying goes, just put some elbow grease into it. You want to be sure you’ve polished all of the liquid away before continuing. Once you’re finished, stand back and admire the lustrous shine of your acrylic furniture. You just might need a pair of sunglasses.

Shop all of our acrylic furniture, lighting, and accessories, and find our recommended acrylic cleaning product. For more inspiration, read these helpful posts below:

• 25 Blue Rooms & Why You Need this Classic Color
• Designer Décor: How to Decorate like Your Favorite Designer
• 15 Best Living Room Layout Tips
• How to Use Natural Elements

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