Properly Cleaning Your Sign

Mar 19, 2024

Your business’s sign is often the first impression that new customers form about your company– which means that it’s important to keep it looking its best! Regular cleaning is essential to maintain the appearance and lifespan of your business sign.

However, with business signs, we’d highly recommend reading up on the best ways to clean your specific sign. Cleaning it the wrong way, or with the wrong products, can cause damage to your sign or even shorten its lifespan and necessitate early replacement.

Choosing the Right Cleaning Tools

The key to effective cleaning is using the right tools for the job. Here’s what you’ll need.

Mild detergent: Choose a gentle dish soap or a mild cleaning solution specifically designed for signs. Do some research to find one that’s right for your sign’s materials, and be sure to avoid bleach or ammonia, as they can damage the surface of the sign or fade its colors.

Soft cloth or sponge: A microfiber cloth or a soft sponge will work best for cleaning, since they won’t scratch the sign’s surface.

Bucket and clean water: This will allow you to rinse the cleaning solution and soap residue off the sign to leave it sparkling clean.

Ladder: If your sign is high up, you’ll need a way to reach it safely.

How to Get Your Sign Clean

Prepare the cleaning solution: Mix a small amount of mild detergent with water in your bucket.

Wet the sign: Use clean water to dampen the sign’s surface. This helps to loosen dirt and grime before applying the cleaning solution.

Clean the sign: Dip your soft cloth or sponge into the cleaning solution, wring it out so it’s damp but not dripping wet, then gently scrub the sign. Pay attention to any areas where there’s dirt buildup, but don’t scrub too hard. Remember to be gentle!

Rinse thoroughly: Once you’ve cleaned the entire sign, rinse it thoroughly with clean water to remove any soap residue. This prevents streaks and ensures a clean finish.

Let it dry naturally: You may need to blot it to avoid streaks, but in general, it’s fine to let your sign air dry after cleaning.

Keeping Your Sign Looking its Best

Clean your signs regularly! Aim to clean them at least once a year, or more often if they’re exposed to heavy dust, pollution, or harsh weather conditions.

If your sign is large, difficult to reach, or made of delicate materials, you might consider hiring a professional cleaning service, especially if you can find one that specializes in business signage.

Don’t let stains sit for a long time, since they can become harder to remove later. Address any stains or spills as quickly as possible with the proper cleaning solution.

We also wouldn’t recommend pressure washing your sign. While pressure washing can sometimes be effective for large or heavily stained signs, it should be used with caution, since it can damage your sign. If you believe pressure washing is necessary, test a small area first to be sure it doesn’t damage the sign.

Invest in Your Brand Image

Keeping your business sign clean and well-maintained is an investment in your brand image and customer perception. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your sign continues to shine bright and attract customers for years to come.

However, if your sign is beyond cleaning and needs a refresh, or if you’re considering a brand new sign  to grab attention or debut a fresh new logo, Wrapology is here to help! We offer a wide range of sign design, fabrication, and installation services to meet your unique needs and budget. 

Contact our team for a quote today and let us help you create a sign that truly reflects your brand and stands out from the competition.