The complete guide to cleaning canvas, Dibond aluminum, plexiglass or wood wall art

Last updated: July 2026

How do you care for decorative wall art?

A decorative wall art often complements a home for many years. To preserve the vibrancy of its colors and the quality of its medium, a few simple steps are enough. You just need to use the right methods, since not all materials should be cared for in the same way.

At Espoir Photos, every photograph is designed to complement your home for years to come. Proper care helps preserve the quality of the medium, the richness of the colors and the emotion each artwork conveys every day.

In this guide, discover the right steps for cleaning and protecting canvas wall art, Dibond aluminum, plexiglass or wood wall art, as well as the mistakes to avoid to preserve its beauty for a long time.

The photographer’s perspective

A photograph is meant to live in a home for many years. I like to imagine that it will accompany everyday moments, through the seasons and changing light. A few simple steps are enough to preserve this emotion and maintain the artwork’s beauty over time.

✨ Did you know?

The main enemies of a piece of wall art are often invisible. Dust, ultraviolet rays, humidity and certain harsh household products can gradually damage the materials and colors. Gentle, regular care is generally the best way to preserve a photographic artwork.

Table of contents

• Why maintain decorative wall art?
• Essential rules before any cleaning
• How to clean a canvas painting?
• How do you clean a Dibond aluminum print?
• How do you clean a plexiglass picture?
• How do you clean a picture printed on wood?
• Mistakes to avoid
• Your most frequently asked questions
• Sources that inspired this guide
  

Why maintain decorative wall art?

A decorative wall art is much more than a simple decorative object. It draws the eye, contributes to the balance of the room and helps create an atmosphere that reflects your personality. Like all objects displayed in everyday life, however, it is exposed to dust, temperature fluctuations, fingerprints and light.

These damaging effects are often subtle, but over time they can dull the vibrancy of the colors or damage certain finishes. By contrast, regular maintenance helps preserve the quality of the print and the elegance of the material.

The good news is that there is no need to use complex products or special techniques. A few simple steps, carried out with the right accessories, are generally enough to keep your painting in excellent condition for many years.

✔ Key takeaway

Regular maintenance is always preferable to intensive cleaning. A few minutes once or twice a month is generally enough to preserve the beauty of a decorative painting.

Essential rules before any cleaning

Before cleaning a canvas painting, Dibond aluminum, plexiglass, or wood painting, a few precautions can help prevent the most common mistakes.

✔ Best practices

• Always use a clean, soft microfiber cloth.
• Dust it regularly before dirt accumulates.
• Handle the painting by its sides to avoid leaving fingerprints on the surface.
• If wet cleaning is necessary, use only lukewarm water or a pH-neutral soap, according to the support's recommendations.
• Gently dry it with a second clean microfiber cloth.

✘ Practices to avoid

• Products containing acetone, ammonia, or solvents.
• Glass cleaners or harsh household products.
• Abrasive sponges, stiff brushes, or paper towels.
• Spray liquid directly onto the painting.
• Vigorously scrub a stain.

✨ The photographer's tip

When a painting is slightly dusty, the best approach is often the simplest: gently wipe it with a clean microfiber cloth without applying pressure. In most cases, this is enough to restore its full brilliance.

How to clean a canvas painting?

The canvas is appealing for its warm finish and subtly textured surface, reminiscent of works displayed in art galleries. This finish naturally diffuses light and adds a particular softness to landscape, nature, and seaside photographs.

This texture is also its main distinguishing feature. Unlike rigid materials, a printed canvas does not have a perfectly smooth surface. It therefore requires a few precautions to protect the print quality and the elegance of its finish.

✔ Best practices

In most cases, simple dusting is sufficient.

Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth or a very soft duster to gently remove dust accumulated on the surface.

If a slight mark remains, very lightly dampen your cloth with lukewarm water. Then wipe the surface without applying excessive pressure and allow it to dry naturally.

Canvas generally requires no other product for routine maintenance.

✘ Practices to avoid

Avoid:

• household cleaners;
• products containing alcohol or solvents;
• abrasive sponges;
• hard brushes;
• a soaking-wet cloth that could dampen the canvas.

Even though modern prints are particularly durable, cleaning too vigorously may damage the printed surface.

The photographer's perspective

I particularly appreciate canvas for its ability to soften light. Its matte finish makes the photograph seem as though it naturally belongs in the décor. It is a material that benefits from being cared for with the same delicacy with which it renders colors.

✔ Key takeaway

Canvas is probably the material that requires the least intervention. Regular dusting with a clean microfiber cloth is generally enough to preserve its elegance.

How do you clean an aluminum artwork?

Dibond aluminum is known for its rigidity, stability, and matte finish, which naturally limits reflections. Highly appreciated in galleries and photographic exhibitions, it also offers one of the easiest maintenance routines.

Its smooth surface retains little dust and handles gentle cleaning very well when performed with the right accessories.

✔ Best practices

Start by removing dust with a clean microfiber cloth.

For fingerprints or light soiling, use a cloth slightly dampened with lukewarm water. If necessary, add a very small amount of pH-neutral soap, then gently wipe the surface before drying it with a second clean microfiber cloth.

In the vast majority of cases, this method is more than sufficient.

✘ Practices to avoid

Never use:

• acetone;
• ammonia;
• solvents;
• abrasive products;
• scouring sponges.

Even though aluminum Dibond is particularly robust, these products can damage the printed surface and reduce the photograph's visual quality.

 The photographer's perspective

Aluminum Dibond is a support designed to last. Its matte surface particularly highlights the finest details and nuances of light. Simple, regular maintenance is generally enough to preserve the image's full precision for many years.

✨ Did you know?

Thanks to its rigidity and low sensitivity to changes in humidity, aluminum Dibond is one of the most widely used supports for photographic exhibitions, galleries, and installations designed to last.

✔ Key takeaway

Aluminum Dibond requires little maintenance. A clean microfiber cloth, a little lukewarm water, and gentle movements are generally enough to preserve its original appearance for a long time.

How do you clean a plexiglass picture?

Plexiglass is undoubtedly the finish that immediately draws the most attention. Its glossy surface creates a remarkable sense of depth and particularly enhances seascapes, lagoons, sunsets, and all photographs rich in light.

This elegance does, however, come with one particularity: plexiglass is more susceptible to micro-scratches than a matte surface. Nevertheless, a few simple steps can help preserve its transparency and shine for a long time.

✔ Best practices

First, gently remove the dust with a clean microfiber cloth. If larger particles are present, never rub the surface directly. It is best to remove them gently to prevent them from becoming abrasive.

For routine cleaning, use a cloth slightly dampened with lukewarm water mixed with a pH-neutral soap. Wipe gently without applying excessive pressure, then dry immediately with a second clean, dry microfiber cloth.

This method is generally sufficient to remove fingerprints and minor dirt while preserving the support's shine.

✘ Practices to avoid

Never use:

• acetone;
• household alcohol or rubbing alcohol;
• products containing ammonia;
• solvents or thinners;
• abrasive sponges;
• paper towels or rough cloths.

These products can permanently damage the acrylic surface, cause a permanent haze, or create micro-scratches that reduce the photograph's visual depth.

Likewise, techniques involving sanding, polishing, or tips using toothpaste or other abrasive products, sometimes recommended online to restore an acrylic glass panel, are not suitable for a printed photographic picture. They could irreparably damage the print.

 The photographer's perspective

When I photograph a lagoon or a sunset, I can already imagine the light that the acrylic glass will reveal once the artwork is installed in an interior. The blues of a lagoon, the reflections on the water, or the colors of a sunset seem to gain depth. This finish simply requires a little care when cleaning so that this sense of brilliance remains intact over the years.

✨ Did you know?

The high-quality acrylic glass used for photographic printing offers excellent optical clarity. It is primarily unsuitable cleaning products and overly vigorous handling that can permanently affect its appearance.

✔ Key takeaway

Acrylic glass is a durable support when cared for gently. A clean microfiber cloth, lukewarm water, and a pH-neutral soap are generally enough to preserve its transparency and shine over time.

How do you clean a picture printed on wood?

Wood has a unique personality. Unlike other finishes, it does not seek to hide its material: its natural grain interacts with the photograph and contributes fully to the final result. As each panel is slightly different, every picture has a truly unique character.

This living material deserves appropriate care to preserve all its authenticity.

✔ Best practices

Like any natural material, wood benefits from simple, regular care.

A regular dusting with a clean, dry microfiber cloth is sufficient in the vast majority of cases.

If a slight mark appears, use a cloth very slightly dampened with lukewarm water, then immediately wipe with a dry cloth to prevent moisture from remaining in contact with the wood.

A stable indoor environment, without excessive humidity or significant heat, also helps preserve the quality of the material over time.

✘ Practices to avoid

Avoid:

• harsh cleaners;
• solvents;
• abrasive products;
• excess water;
• steam cleaners;
• slow drying that allows moisture to penetrate the wood.

Although the panels used for photographic printing are designed to last, wood remains a natural material that benefits from gentle, regular care.

The photographer's perspective

Wood never tries to hide its materiality. On the contrary, it subtly reveals its grain and brings a warmth that cannot be found on any other medium. I love this meeting between photography and a living material, which makes each piece truly unique.

✨ Did you know?

Each wood panel has a different grain. Two pictures printed from the same photograph will therefore always show subtle variations, contributing to the unique character of each piece.

✔ Key takeaway

Wood requires little maintenance but benefits from gentle care. Regular dusting and a few precautions against moisture are generally enough to preserve all its natural beauty.

 Your most frequently asked questions

How often should I clean a decorative picture?

In a living area, dusting once or twice a month is generally sufficient. In an environment more exposed to dust, slightly more frequent maintenance may be necessary.

Can I use glass cleaner?

No. Glass cleaners often contain ammonia or other chemicals that can damage certain finishes, particularly Plexiglas. Always opt for a clean microfiber cloth slightly dampened with lukewarm water and, if necessary, a pH-neutral soap.

How do I remove fingerprints?

Fingerprints can generally be removed with a slightly dampened microfiber cloth. Then gently wipe with a second clean microfiber cloth to prevent drying marks.

Can I use a feather duster?

Yes, provided it is very soft and perfectly clean. It is an excellent way to remove dust safely, especially from canvas prints.

Can sunlight damage a painting?

Yes. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays can accelerate the aging of materials and colors. To preserve your artwork over time, avoid direct exposure for several hours each day.

What should you do if a plexiglass painting is scratched?

Sanding, polishing, or using toothpaste or other abrasive products is not recommended for a printed photographic painting. These methods could permanently damage the artwork. In the event of a significant scratch, it is best to seek professional advice.

 Can you clean a painting with a lot of water?

No. Whatever the surface, the cloth should only be slightly dampened. Excess water can damage certain materials, especially wood and canvas.

Can you use a damp cloth on a painting?

Yes, provided it is slightly dampened and suitable for the surface. In most cases, a clean microfiber cloth simply moistened with lukewarm water is enough to remove fingerprints or light dirt.

The cloth should never be soaking wet, as excess moisture can damage certain materials, especially canvas and wood. If damp cleaning is necessary, gently wipe the surface afterward with a second clean, dry microfiber cloth.

How do you dust a painting without damaging it?

Dusting is the simplest and most effective maintenance step. Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth or, for the most delicate surfaces, a very soft feather duster.

Wipe the cloth without applying pressure, using steady movements. Avoid rough cloths, paper towels, or abrasive sponges, which could scratch certain finishes, especially plexiglass.

Dusting once or twice a month is generally enough to preserve the lasting brilliance of a decorative painting.

Mistakes to avoid

Sources that inspired this guide

To provide reliable, appropriate advice for photographic artworks, this guide draws on recommendations published by manufacturers and reference organizations in the fields of photographic printing, materials, and artwork conservation.

Photographic printing and conservation

• DIBOND® (3A Composites) — Technical documentation on aluminum composite panels used for photographic printing.
• PLEXIGLAS® (POLYVANTIS, formerly Röhm) — Recommendations for caring for acrylic surfaces.
• Epson Professional Imaging — Advice on handling and preserving professional photographic prints.
• Fogra Research Institute — Research on print quality, colourimetry, and the durability of printed materials.
• Fine Art Trade Guild — Best practices for handling, framing, and preserving printed works.

Well-being and the indoor environment

• The Living Space: Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health in Interior Spaces (2021) — Scientific review dedicated to the influence of living spaces on psychological well-being.
• Center for the Built Environment – University of California, Berkeley — Research on visual comfort, materials, and the quality of indoor environments.

✔ The 5 golden rules

• Dust regularly
• Use a clean microfibre cloth
• Use only lukewarm water or mild soap
• Avoid abrasive products
• Protect the picture from direct sunlight

CONCLUSION

Caring for a decorative picture requires neither special equipment nor complicated procedures. Regular maintenance, carried out gently and adapted to each material, is generally enough to preserve the print quality, colour vibrancy, and beauty of the materials for many years.

At Espoir Photos, each fine art photograph is designed to complement your interior for years to come. Printed on carefully selected, premium-quality materials, our works are designed to stand the test of time while retaining their emotional power. A few simple steps will help preserve this quality and allow you to continue enjoying your picture to the fullest, day after day.

Because a decorative picture does more than simply adorn a wall. It tells a story, reveals the personality of an interior, and creates an atmosphere that we enjoy rediscovering each time we look at it.

Are you looking for fine art photography to enhance your interior décor? Discover the Espoir Photos collections and choose the work that will complement your interior for many years to come.