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Are you wondering how to clean your custom awards?

Awards are a reminder of perseverance and excellence. But without proper care, their brilliance can fade over time. Luckily, a little maintenance goes a long way in keeping them looking their best.

At MedalStudio, we have years of experience designing and preserving awards. We know how to care for different materials and how to protect them.

That's why, in this article, we’ll guide you through the best cleaning and care tips for four popular types of awards:

  • Acrylic awards
  • Wooden awards
  • Hybrid awards
  • Glass awards

Let’s get started!

Acrylic Awards

At MedalStudio, we love working with acrylic for custom awards because it is a versatile material that combines lightness and durability – it’s up to 10 times stronger than glass!

how to clean acrylic awards
Try cleaning your acrylic awards every 2-4 weeks or whenever necessary to maintain their appearance.

Although acrylic is easy to maintain and clean, it’s important to take certain precautions to avoid scratches. Follow these steps to properly clean your personalised acrylic awards:

  1. Dust gently: Use a dry, soft microfibre cloth to remove any dust. This step is crucial, as using a rough cloth could leave scratches on the surface.
  2. Prepare a cleaning solution: Mix warm water with mild soap in a bowl. Then, dampen the microfibre cloth in the solution.
  3. Clean and dry: Gently clean the award using the damp cloth, and then dry it with a clean microfibre cloth to avoid watermarks.

If your award has tough stains, it might be tempting to use abrasive products, but this is not advisable as they can dull the surface and ruin its appearance. Additionally, we recommend storing your awards away from direct sunlight and extreme heat to preserve their shine and quality for longer.

Wooden Awards

Wooden personalised awards are a favourite of many of our customers due to their unique, organic texture, which adds a special aesthetic, as well as elegance and character to each piece.

However, wood can be a bit more delicate when it comes to cleaning. It's important to avoid using too many products, as moisture can affect its properties, causing swelling and deterioration over time.

Don’t worry, there are simple ways to care for your wooden awards. We recommend:

  • Using a dry, clean microfiber cloth to remove dust. You can also use a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush. Just be sure to handle the award gently while cleaning.
  • If there are stains, lightly dampen the cloth with warm water and vinegar. It’s crucial that the cloth is only slightly damp, never wet, to prevent the water from damaging the wood and affecting its properties.
  • If necessary, you can use specific wood cleaners or products with wax to maintain the shine and protect the surface of your award.
how to clean wooden awards
Avoid moisture when cleaning your custom wooden awards.

If your award has engraved inscriptions, be extra careful when cleaning those areas. You can use cotton swabs for more precise cleaning. Remember never to use harsh products, as they can cause irreversible damage to the wood.

Lastly, if you choose to display your awards in your home or office, ensure they are kept away from windows. Direct sunlight can cause the wood to warp and discolour over time.

Hybrid Awards

Hybrid awards, which combine materials like acrylic and wood, are very popular because they blend the elegance of wood with the modern, sleek appearance of acrylic.

How to clean hybrid awards
By cleaning the acrylic and wood surfaces of the hybrid award correctly, you can maintain its elegance and durability for years to come.

However, it's important to handle each material carefully as they have different properties. Here's how to clean and care for your hybrid awards:

  1. Start by gently dusting. We recommend using a microfiber cloth to prevent scratches.
  2. Clean the acrylic. Dampen a cloth with a mixture of warm water and mild soap and gently wipe the acrylic part. Be careful not to dampen the wooden surface of the award.
  3. Clean the wood surface. Dust the surface with a microfiber cloth. For stubborn stains, lightly dampen the cloth with warm water and vinegar, but please make sure the cloth is not wet to prevent damaging the award.

Remember that it is important to avoid moisture in the wooden surface. If you have a bespoke hybrid award, try storing it in a dry place and keep it out of direct sunlight.

Glass Awards

Glass awards are very elegant and can enhance any space. However, they are delicate and require careful handling, as they can easily break or get scratched.

If you have a personalised glass award, we recommend following these steps to clean it properly:

  1. Use a microfiber cloth: Remove the dust from the surface with a soft cloth to avoid scratches.
  2. Prepare a gentle cleaning solution: Mix warm water with liquid dish soap or vinegar. You can also use a glass cleaner, but make sure it does not contain abrasive ingredients.
  3. Clean gently: Use circular motions to clean the glass award, but be extremely careful, as these awards are very fragile.
  4. Dry properly: Use a dry microfiber cloth to dry the award, which will help prevent water spots.

If the award has engraved details, you can use a soft-bristled brush to clean those areas with precision.

Remember that glass awards are sensitive to impacts, so we recommend placing them in a safe and stable location. You could even display them in transparent cabinets for added protection.

Keeping Your Awards at Their Best

Taking proper care of your awards is essential to maintain their value. Each material, whether acrylic, wood, hybrid, or glass, has its own cleaning needs, but all require gentle, non-abrasive methods. Use mild cleaning solutions like soap or vinegar, and avoid exposing wooden awards to excess moisture.

If you have any questions regarding our custom awards or medals, please do not hesitate to email us at [email protected] or call us at 01377250449.

Updated: 10/01/2025