Open Forum

Here are our recommendations for both our coated and uncoated sheet:

Cleaning/Disinfecting of ACRYLITE® Acrylic Sheet

The following solutions have been found to be compatible with cleaning / disinfecting ACRYLITE® acrylic sheet:

Diluted bleach solution:

Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:

• 5 tablespoons (1/3^rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
• 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

Use a clean soft cloth, applying only light pressure.

The only solution that's safe for both the art work and the acrylic, if applied appropriately, is isopropyl alcohol.  Bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and other solvents that are recommended for disinfecting acrylic have the potential to off gas and alter art works permanently. Brillianize and other acrylic cleaners with polishing agents clean but do not disinfect, and should not be used on acrylic with anti-reflective coatings such as Optium Museum Acrylic.

According to the CDC, the minimum concentration of isopropyl alcohol required to kill viruses is 60%, and other sources say 70%. The maximum concentration of isopropyl alcohol to safely clean regular acrylic is 30%, which cleans but does not disinfect.

SO: for Optium, which has a protective hard coat, we recommend 70% concentrations to disinfect. And for regular acrylic, 30% concentrations to clean (not to disinfect...I don't know of a safe way to disinfect regular acrylic and simultaneously protect the art work displayed behind it). Make sure the solvent doesn't seep in at the edges, since this can cause crazing as discussed previously in this thread (and obviously risk damaging art work).

Here are the following steps we recommend to take when cleaning acrylic:

Materials to Use

• 2 Micro-fiber cloths - one for wet cleaning, one for drying. If micro-fiber cloths need to be laundered, do not use fabric softener.
• Isopropyl alcohol.
• Distilled water.
• Gloves (optional).

Method

• Mix distilled water and isopropyl alcohol 30:70 or 70:30, depending on whether the acrylic is Optium or not.
• Spray on micro-fiber cloth.
• Use cloth to clean glazing.
• Optional: dry off with second cloth.

The only solution that's safe for both the art work and the acrylic, if applied appropriately, is isopropyl alcohol.  Bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and other solvents that are recommended for disinfecting acrylic have the potential to off gas and alter art works permanently. Brillianize and other acrylic cleaners with polishing agents clean but do not disinfect, and should not be used on acrylic with anti-reflective coatings such as Optium Museum Acrylic.

According to the CDC, the minimum concentration of isopropyl alcohol required to kill viruses is 60%, and other sources say 70%. The maximum concentration of isopropyl alcohol to safely clean regular acrylic is 30%, which cleans but does not disinfect.

SO: for Optium, which has a protective hard coat, we recommend 70% concentrations to disinfect. And for regular acrylic, 30% concentrations to clean (not to disinfect...I don't know of a safe way to disinfect regular acrylic and simultaneously protect the art work displayed behind it). Make sure the solvent doesn't seep in at the edges, since this can cause crazing as discussed previously in this thread (and obviously risk damaging art work).

Here are the following steps we recommend to take when cleaning acrylic:

Materials to Use

• 2 Micro-fiber cloths - one for wet cleaning, one for drying. If micro-fiber cloths need to be laundered, do not use fabric softener.
• Isopropyl alcohol.
• Distilled water.
• Gloves (optional).

Method

• Mix distilled water and isopropyl alcohol 30:70 or 70:30, depending on whether the acrylic is Optium or not.
• Spray on micro-fiber cloth.
• Use cloth to clean glazing.
• Optional: dry off with second cloth.

The only solution that's safe for both the art work and the acrylic, if applied appropriately, is isopropyl alcohol.  Bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and other solvents that are recommended for disinfecting acrylic have the potential to off gas and alter art works permanently. Brillianize and other acrylic cleaners with polishing agents clean but do not disinfect, and should not be used on acrylic with anti-reflective coatings such as Optium Museum Acrylic.

According to the CDC, the minimum concentration of isopropyl alcohol required to kill viruses is 60%, and other sources say 70%. The maximum concentration of isopropyl alcohol to safely clean regular acrylic is 30%, which cleans but does not disinfect.

SO: for Optium, which has a protective hard coat, we recommend 70% concentrations to disinfect. And for regular acrylic, 30% concentrations to clean (not to disinfect...I don't know of a safe way to disinfect regular acrylic and simultaneously protect the art work displayed behind it). Make sure the solvent doesn't seep in at the edges, since this can cause crazing as discussed previously in this thread (and obviously risk damaging art work).

Here are the following steps we recommend to take when cleaning acrylic:

Materials to Use

• 2 Micro-fiber cloths - one for wet cleaning, one for drying. If micro-fiber cloths need to be laundered, do not use fabric softener.
• Isopropyl alcohol.
• Distilled water.
• Gloves (optional).

Method

• Mix distilled water and isopropyl alcohol 30:70 or 70:30, depending on whether the acrylic is Optium or not.
• Spray on micro-fiber cloth.
• Use cloth to clean glazing.
• Optional: dry off with second cloth.

HUDSON RIVER｜MUSEUM

511 Warburton Avenue

Yonkers, NY 10701

(914) 963-4550 

hrm.org｜Facebook｜Instagram｜Twitter｜YouTube

MUSEUM FROM HOME

The only solution that's safe for both the art work and the acrylic, if applied appropriately, is isopropyl alcohol.  Bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and other solvents that are recommended for disinfecting acrylic have the potential to off gas and alter art works permanently. Brillianize and other acrylic cleaners with polishing agents clean but do not disinfect, and should not be used on acrylic with anti-reflective coatings such as Optium Museum Acrylic.

According to the CDC, the minimum concentration of isopropyl alcohol required to kill viruses is 60%, and other sources say 70%. The maximum concentration of isopropyl alcohol to safely clean regular acrylic is 30%, which cleans but does not disinfect.

SO: for Optium, which has a protective hard coat, we recommend 70% concentrations to disinfect. And for regular acrylic, 30% concentrations to clean (not to disinfect...I don't know of a safe way to disinfect regular acrylic and simultaneously protect the art work displayed behind it). Make sure the solvent doesn't seep in at the edges, since this can cause crazing as discussed previously in this thread (and obviously risk damaging art work).

Here are the following steps we recommend to take when cleaning acrylic:

Materials to Use

• 2 Micro-fiber cloths - one for wet cleaning, one for drying. If micro-fiber cloths need to be laundered, do not use fabric softener.
• Isopropyl alcohol.
• Distilled water.
• Gloves (optional).

Method

• Mix distilled water and isopropyl alcohol 30:70 or 70:30, depending on whether the acrylic is Optium or not.
• Spray on micro-fiber cloth.
• Use cloth to clean glazing.
• Optional: dry off with second cloth.