How to Clean Acrylic Dice Without Damaging the Numbers

Quick answer

Clean acrylic dice with lukewarm water, a drop of mild dish soap, and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Gently scrub each face, rinse quickly, and pat dry immediately with a microfiber cloth. Avoid hot water, alcohol, acetone, and abrasive sponges—they dull the finish and strip the painted numbers.

Acrylic dice are the workhorses of most tabletops: affordable, colorful, and easy to read. But that same plastic can cloud, craze, or lose its crisp numerals if you clean it the wrong way. The good news is that proper acrylic dice care takes only a few minutes and a couple of household items.

This guide walks you through a safe, step-by-step process for how to wash dice without harming the paint or polish. Whether you're sprucing up a well-loved set or prepping new dice for game night, these habits will keep your acrylic dice looking sharp.

Why acrylic dice need gentle cleaning

Acrylic is a tough plastic, but it's not invincible. The painted numbers on most acrylic dice sit in shallow recesses and can wear away with harsh scrubbing or chemical exposure. Hot water can also soften the plastic slightly, making it more prone to scratches or warping over time.

That's why the safest approach is also the simplest: lukewarm water, a tiny amount of mild soap, and a soft brush. You don't need specialty cleaners or ultrasonic machines for routine maintenance. Save the heavy equipment for deep restorations, and even then, test on one die first.

• Never use alcohol, acetone, or ammonia-based cleaners—they can cloud acrylic and dissolve paint.
• Skip the dishwasher; heat and harsh detergents will damage both dice and numbers.

What you'll need

Gather a small bowl of lukewarm water, a drop of mild dish soap (like Dawn or a similar gentle formula), a soft-bristled toothbrush, and a microfiber cloth. A clean towel or paper towel works in a pinch, but microfiber is less likely to leave lint or scratch the surface.

If your dice have stubborn grime in the crevices, a wooden toothpick can help, but use it gently. Avoid metal tools, which can gouge the plastic. For heavily soiled dice, you can add a little more soap, but never exceed a few drops per cup of water.

• Use a separate bowl—not the sink—so you don't lose dice down the drain.
• Keep a dry towel nearby to set dice on after rinsing.

Step-by-step cleaning process

Start by filling a bowl with lukewarm water and adding one drop of mild dish soap. Swirl gently to mix. Place your acrylic dice in the bowl and let them soak for no more than two to three minutes. This loosens surface dirt without giving water time to seep into any micro-scratches.

One at a time, lift a die and scrub all faces with the soft toothbrush. Use light, circular motions and pay attention to the number recesses, where skin oils and grime collect. Don't press hard—let the bristles do the work. If you encounter a stubborn spot, dip the brush in the soapy water and try again rather than scraping.

Rinse each die under a trickle of lukewarm water—never hot—and immediately pat dry with a microfiber cloth. Shake off excess water first to avoid droplets sitting on the surface. Repeat for all dice, then let them air-dry completely on a dry towel for 10–15 minutes before storing.

• Checkpoint: If you see paint coming off on the brush, stop immediately. That die may need a different approach or should be retired from cleaning.
• Never leave acrylic dice soaking for more than five minutes; prolonged exposure can dull the finish.

Common mistakes to avoid

The biggest mistake is using hot water. It feels natural for cleaning, but it can soften acrylic and cause warping or cloudiness. Another common error is scrubbing with a hard-bristled brush or abrasive pad—this scratches the surface and wears down the painted numbers faster.

Some people reach for vinegar or lemon juice to remove tough stains, but acids can etch acrylic over time. Stick with mild soap. Also, don't dry dice with a rough towel or paper towel; the fibers can leave micro-scratches that make future dirt harder to remove.

• Avoid drying in direct sunlight or with a hair dryer—heat is the enemy.
• If your dice have stickers or decals, clean around them carefully; soaking can loosen adhesive.

How often should you clean acrylic dice?

For regular game nights, a quick wipe with a dry microfiber cloth after each session is enough to remove oils and dust. A full wash is only needed every few months, or when you notice visible grime in the number recesses or a sticky feel.

If you play frequently or share dice, you might wash them monthly. But over-cleaning can also wear down the paint, so err on the side of less frequent deep cleans. A good rule: if the dice look clean and roll smoothly, leave them alone.

• Store dice in a cool, dry place—humidity can encourage mold or mildew on stored sets.
• Keep dice away from direct sun to prevent fading and yellowing.

Acrylic dice cleaning steps at a glance

1. 1. Prep your workspace: Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and add one drop of mild dish soap. Set out a soft toothbrush and a microfiber cloth. Checkpoint: Water should feel barely warm to the touch—never hot.
2. 2. Soak briefly: Place dice in the bowl and soak for 2–3 minutes to loosen dirt. Do not exceed five minutes. Checkpoint: Set a timer so you don't forget and leave them too long.
3. 3. Scrub gently: One die at a time, brush all faces with light circular motions, focusing on number recesses. Dip the brush as needed. Checkpoint: If paint transfers to the brush, stop and reassess.
4. 4. Rinse and dry: Rinse each die under lukewarm water, shake off excess, and pat dry immediately with a microfiber cloth. Checkpoint: Don't let dice air-dry with water spots; dry them right away.
5. 5. Air-dry completely: Let dice sit on a dry towel for 10–15 minutes before storing them in a bag or case. Checkpoint: Storing damp dice can encourage mildew and dull the finish.

Product facts

• Pre-Order || Visions of Nightmares Acrylic Dice Set: 7 acrylic dice with large easy-to-read numerals, perfect for new players, backup sets, or players who just love having options. The large numerals are painted, so gentle cleaning is key to keeping them legible. This set is a great candidate for the lukewarm-water method.
• Pre-Order || Screwdriver Cocktail Acrylic Dice Set: 7 acrylic dice with large easy-to-read numerals, perfect for new players, backup sets, or players who just love having options. Like all acrylic dice, the painted numbers can wear if scrubbed harshly. Follow the soft-brush approach to preserve the bright finish.
• Moroccan Sticker - Dice Around the World Collection: The Moroccan Sticker is a premium sticker — bold and detailed for everyday adventures. Perfect for personalizing your dice case, laptop, water bottle, or anything else that needs a little tabletop flair. If you stick this on your dice case, avoid soaking the case in water. Wipe it down with a damp cloth instead to protect the adhesive and design.

Cleaning acrylic dice doesn't have to be risky. With lukewarm water, a drop of mild soap, and a soft brush, you can remove dirt and oils without damaging the numbers or the finish. Make it a habit every few months, and your dice will stay ready for the table for years to come.