Dawn is gentle enough to use on acrylic surfaces and could help cut through the dirt and grime.
I would try using fairy liquid dish soap or dawn soap to wash the tubs, it removes build up and dirt and is safe on acrylic. As for the grittiness, try the dish soap see what it's like after that, it may be a build up of product rather than it's being ruined for good or calcium build up maybe.
windex/409/dish soap should work. Acrylic isn't a particularly sensitive material.
Plexiglass is sensitive to ammonia, high pH, and products with Quaternary ammonium salts that will cause clouding or fogging. Always check your labels before using them on plexiglass. I've always found household dish soap works wonders. I've always preferred Dawn dish soap, but almost any will do.
White vinegar: This is a classic household cleaning hero and it's great for cutting through soap scum and hard water stains. Mix it with warm water in a spray bottle, and you've got an effective, safe cleaner that won't harm your tub. Baking soda: This is a gentle abrasive that works wonders on stubborn spots.
We recommend BioGuard squeaky clean, which is designed specifically to be safe on acrylic surfaces and won't leave a residue that can upset your water balance later.
Whether you opt for hot, soapy water or an acrylic cleaner, be gentle and only use light pressure as you wipe. Too much pressure can actually cause scratching. Use a dry soft cotton cloth to dry off the acrylic. Give it a little buff or polish with this cloth too.
Simple circular or back-and-forth cleaning motions should easily remove any dirt or soap-scum from your shower walls. For stubborn build-up, spray on the 50/50 vinegar solution, allow it to sit for 10 minutes, and then wipe clean.
The biggest difference between Plexiglas® and some traditional acrylic is the way they are manufactured. Acrylic can be manufactured one of two ways: extruded or cell cast. Plexiglas®, however, is manufactured in cell cast only. That is the biggest benefit to purchasing Plexiglas® over other brands of acrylic sheeting.
For removing and buffing out scratches and haze, use a plastic polish, car polish, or automobile wax with a clean, microfiber cloth. If the acrylic is still hazy, carefully sand the acrylic using a number of different grits, followed by a more abrasive polish.
Do not use the following products-Windex, Original Clean Shower, Clean Shower for Plastic Showers & Glass, Soft Scrub, Dow disinfectant cleaner, Scrub Free, Lysol disinfectant cleaner, Acetone, Lestoil, Ammonia, Nail polish remover, Aerosol cleaners, or Scouring pads.
You will need a plastic cleaning solution made specifically for cleaning acrylic products; a clean microfiber cloth and a Novus 7100 plastic polish kit. Never use strong cleaners such as acetone, trichloroethylene and ammonia.
Acrylic or Plastic Dishes
After repeated washes in the dishwasher, many melamine and acrylic dishes can crack, fade, and even break. While many plastic insulated tumblers are labeled dishwasher safe, it's best to wash these items by hand.
The Environmental Working Group gave Dawn a 'D' grade because of it containing methylisothiazolinone, which is a "High Concern: acute aquatic toxicity; Some Concern: skin irritation/allergies/damage". Sounds delightful, right? Dawn also contains 1 4-dioxane which is considered a groundwater contaminant.
The only way to clean your acrylic safely is to avoid all solvents acetone and alcohol and to use mild soap and warm water with a soft fibreless cloth.
The oil and dish soap work together to break down the glue and acrylic from the nail, without tearing it. People couldn't believe how well the hack worked.
Use only a very soft damp cloth when cleaning acrylic surfaces. It is possible to scratch acrylic, so NEVER use any scouring compounds or chemical cleaners such as Windex or other glass cleaners (even if they are environmentally friendly, organic or non-scented).
In terms of cost, Plexiglass is generally more expensive than standard-cast acrylic. This is partly due to its brand recognition and the perceived higher quality associated with the Plexiglass name.
Acrylic (Plexiglas®, Lucite®, and Acrylite®) comes from natural gas and is completely inert when in solid form. American-made acrylic does NOT yellow in the sunlight. Witness the protective canopies and bubbles in the World War II bombers- they are still clear after 50 years in the sun!
The use of ammonia-based cleaners, such as Windex, will harm your Acrylic SUBSTANTIALLY and should never be applied to its surface. Ammonia-based cleaners will eat away the surface of the acrylic, causing it to appear cloudy.
For acrylic bathtubs
Our 7-step bathtub cleaning guide will work well for acrylic tubs, since baking soda and Dawn Dish Soap are considered to be gentle cleaning solutions.
Did you know that dish soap acts as a natural flame retardant? It can be used on acrylic to prevent damage and keep your engravings looking clean.
Use mild dish soap on acrylic tubs.
Wet the sides of the tub and a soft sponge with warm water. Apply a small amount of a mild dish soap to the sponge and gently scrub the tub. You should avoid using wire brushes or scrubbing pads as these can scratch the acrylic and ruin it.