Sneeze Guards are what you would normally see at your favourite local buffet, or the 'ready to eat' chicken wings bar at your local grocer. But since recent events around the world, sneeze guards and plexiglass barriers are becoming the normal for every day businesses like retail store check outs, dental office reception, kiosks, banks, and more.
When you first purchase a sneeze guard with BC Retail Supplies, whether its a hanging sneeze guard, a countertop sneeze guard or self-standing sneeze guard, you get to peel back that protective film revealing the clear acrylic plexiglass. The feeling is like removing the protector film off a new electronic item, very exciting and satisfying. However, after a few times of touching it, moving it around to find a perfect angle and location for your sneeze guard, you may find your sneeze guard now covered in finger and thumb prints.
So how do you clean Acrylic Plexiglass?
First, put on a pair of safety gloves.
As the sneeze guards and acrylic shields are used as an additional barrier to physical distancing and used to intercept others' droplets, the sneeze guards must be treated as contaminated surfaces and should be cleaned regularly. Even though your sneeze guards may not have been touched by your customers, staff, or by you, they should still be cleaned daily. But if there is constant contact, then yes, you should be cleaning the acrylic plexiglass way more frequently each day.
Health Canada has provided us with a list of disinfectants to use on their website to reduce the spread. Its important to understand that some of these solutions are not design to clean clear plastic and are known to damage the plexiglass acrylic. Abrasive chemicals and alcohol is not recommend to clean clear acrylic. As a result if you use abrasive chemicals on your sneeze guards, it will cause them to crack or become cloud over time. Once these abrasive chemicals damage your sneeze guard, it will not be so clear and glossy anymore. Unfortunately you will need to replace your sneeze guard if this happens.
So what is the solution to clean acrylic?
A mixture of Mild soap such as dishwashing detergent and water will do the trick. With a clean microfiber cloth gently damp your rang to wash your acrylic sneeze guard and use a dry cloth your sneeze guards. Always read the label prior to using a disinfectant on plexiglass.
Here are some links you may find useful