Neon signs can be great for decorating your home or business. They can add color to the space and make it look vibrant and lively.
However, once those signs have been sitting there for a while, they can get a bit dirty and dusty. That is when you know it is time to clean them. But, considering their delicate construction and their electric components, you could be a little confused about how to go about it.
Don’t worry though, because we’re here to help. We will help you learn how to clean a neon sign in a few simple steps. We will also give you some helpful tips to keep in mind during the cleaning process along with a list of mistakes that you should avoid making.
Let’s get started.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean a Neon Sign
Here is the breakdown of a simple, step-by-step method that you can follow to effectively clean a neon sign.
Step 1: Unplug the sign and take it off
The first thing you need to do is unplug the sign. It’s not a good idea to clean your sign while it is on, even though it may seem safe. If you have to use a damp cloth somewhere during the process (which you will, if there are stains on the sign), it can create a safety hazard.
After unplugging the sign, take it off the wall, or where it is installed so that you can work on it easily. However, you should only do this if the installation allows for it. For example, if you have the sign suspended by a chain, you can simply unhook it and bring it down.
Step 2: Use a duster to get rid of the surface dust
Once the sign is turned off and taken down, use a duster to gently remove the thin layer of dust that has accumulated on the glass surface. This is important to do before bringing any sort of moisture close to the sign (for cleaning) as moisture can simply make the dust sticky and stubborn.
You can use a duster for the initial dusting or you can use a small dry cloth. Whatever you have on hand. Remember, it shouldn’t be hard and abrasive, and you should use it gently to avoid damaging the glass tubing.
Step 3: Use a damp cloth to get rid of stains
Once the dust is all out, you might see some stains on the glass tubing. Take a damp cloth (rinse the cloth under water and then wring it dry properly) and scrub the stains. This will usually be enough to get rid of the stains but, if persistent, you can move on to the next step.
As was the case with the dusting part, you need to be exceedingly gentle when scrubbing the stains away from the sign. Use small circular motions with the cloth wound around your fingertip.
Step 4: Use baking soda or ammonia to get rid of stubborn stains
If the stains don’t go away with the damp cloth, you may need to get some help from either baking soda or ammonia, which are both known to be great for cleaning glass.
Here is how to clean a neon sign using baking soda:
- Take ¼ cup of baking soda
- Take 1 cup of water
- Put the baking soda in a bowl and pour the water in, stirring as you do so
- Stir the mixture until it makes a paste
- Apply this paste to the neon sign and leave for a few minutes
- Wipe away with the damp cloth
Here is what you can do with ammonia:
- Take ½ cup of water
- Take ½ cup of household-use ammonia
- Mix together in a plastic container
- Apply the mixture to the stain on the neon sign
- Wipe away with the damp cloth
Step 5: Wipe the sign dry with a dry cloth
Once you are done with the step above, there could be some soapy or liquid-ish residue on the sign. Gently wipe it away with a separate dry cloth.
After that, put the sign upright in a secure spot so that it can air out and dry on its own. You should do this merely as a precaution. All dampness/wet residue should be removed using a dry cloth.
Step 6: Plug it in and check if the sign is properly working
After that, plug the sign in to make sure it is still working properly. If you have done everything as we’ve suggested in the steps above, then there should be no damage whatsoever.
These simple steps make up our guide on how to clean a neon sign. It’s quick and easy.
Tips on How to Clean a Neon Sign Effectively
Now let’s talk about some tips to keep in mind during this process.
Use a mini blower to get rid of dust from small nooks and crannies
Depending on how intricate the neon sign is, there could be a lot of sharp edges and nooks that may hold dust. You could have difficulty getting the duster or cloth inside.
You can use a mini air blower for these types of areas. A can of compressed air can also work.
With these items, you can get rid of the sneaky dust inside the small crevices and then move on to use the damp cloth and cleaning products, etc.
Don’t hold the neon sign in your hands when cleaning
Rest the neon sign on a soft surface when cleaning it. Don’t hold it in your hands, otherwise you can unknowingly exert pressure and damage the glass. The best way to clean the sign is to put it on a clean sheet on top of a counter or a couch, etc., and then work your way around it.
Don’t apply a lot of liquid/paste to the sign at once
If there are a lot of stains on the sign and a lot of different points where you need to apply the ammonia or baking soda mixture, don’t put it on all at once. The mixture you apply should be carefully watched and wiped away before it can make its way to any of the electrodes or wires on the sign. If you put a lot of it at once, you may find it hard to keep an eye on it all.
Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning a Neon Sign
As neon signs are expensive and often considered a long-term investment, it’s crucial to handle them with care. Let’s move on to look at some common mistakes that you should avoid when cleaning your neon sign.
- Don’t concentrate the cleaning solution too much. This applies particularly if you are using ammonia. You should keep the concentration low (as mentioned above) so that it doesn’t damage the glass.
- Don’t use hard or abrasive cloths for the cleaning. They can scratch the glass and spoil the look of the sign.
- Don’t use a spray bottle to apply the cleaning agents to the sign. This can get the liquid in all sorts of places, and it may cause the sign to stop working.
- Never put the neon sign directly in water. It can ruin the electric components and render the sign useless.
How Often Should I Clean My Neon Sign?
It depends on where the neon sign is installed and how much dust and grime it is exposed to.
Typically, cleaning your neon sign once a month is a good approach. This way, the sessions don’t become a repetitive burden and the sign also stays clean and sparkling.
However, as we said, the frequency of your cleaning sessions depends on where the sign is installed.
For example,
- If you have a neon sign installed on the outside of your shop or office, etc., it may require more frequent cleanings as it will be exposed to a lot of dust and dirt. It will also be exposed to the weather, which could make it dirty quicker.
- If you have a neon sign installed in your bedroom or living room, then you may even be able to go two or three months without doing a thorough cleaning session. In places like this, there usually aren’t a lot of people passing (usually just the house folk) and the signs don’t get dirty or grimy easily.
In public places like cafes and restaurants, it is advisable to clean the sign every two weeks or so, even if it may look fine.
Final Thoughts
We hope you have learned something useful that will help you clean your neon signs and maintain your custom neon signs.
The steps required for this process are quite simple and straightforward. You take off the sign, dust it, use a damp cloth for stains, and then dry it off. If the stains don’t come off, use baking soda or ammonia.
There are some things that you should avoid doing, such as cleaning the sign when it is turned on and using hard cloths for the dusting/scrubbing part. We’ve detailed all of those in the post above.