Got a neon sign that’s looking a little dull? You’re not alone. Dust and grime love to settle on these bright beauties, but the good news is that cleaning them is easier than you might think. A clean neon sign doesn’t just look better—it actually shines brighter and lasts longer too. When dirt builds up on the tubes, it blocks the light and can even shorten your sign’s lifespan. Nobody wants that.

At Neon Beer Signs, we’ve helped thousands of customers keep their signs looking sharp. Let us walk you through exactly how to clean neon signs, whether you’re dealing with a light dusting or some serious grime.

4 Benefits of Cleaning Neon Signs You Should Know

Neon signs are iconic, eye-catching, and a powerful tool for businesses and personal spaces. However, their effectiveness depends heavily on proper maintenance. Regular cleaning not only preserves their aesthetic appeal but also ensures safety, efficiency, and longevity. Here are five benefits of keeping your neon signs clean,

• Enhanced Visibility and Attraction: A clean neon sign shines brighter, ensuring your message gets noticed. Regular cleaning keeps your sign vibrant, maximizing brand exposure day and night.
• Increased Lifespan of Your Neon Sign: Dust and grime can accumulate over time, causing neon tubes and LED components to overheat or degrade faster. Routine cleaning preserves the internal components, protecting your neon signs for years.
• Energy Efficiency: A clean neon sign operates more efficiently. Dirt and dust can block light emission, forcing the sign to consume more electricity to maintain brightness. Maintaining your neon sign helps keep electricity costs lower.
• Safety and Reduced Risk of Damage: Accumulated dirt and moisture can lead to electrical faults or even fire hazards in neon signs. Regular cleaning minimizes these risks, ensuring your signage is safe for employees and customers alike.

How Often Should You Actually Clean Your Neon Sign?

Here’s our honest take: check it monthly, but you probably won’t need to clean it every time.

If you stay on top of it, you’ll mostly just be dusting. Save the more involved cleaning for that one time per year when dust alone won’t cut it.

What You’ll Need to Clean Your Neon Sign

Don’t overthink this. You probably have most of this stuff already:

• Feather Duster or Soft Brush
• Mild Dish Soap
• Warm Water
• Household Ammonia (Optional) buildup.
• Paper Towels or Dry Cloths
• Rubber Gloves
• Alcohol-Based Glass Cleaner
• Soft Brush Vacuum Attachment (Optional)

How To Clean Your Neon Sign? Here Are TOP 4 Methods You Can Do At Home With Ease

Method 1: Removing Basic Dust

This is your go-to method for routine maintenance. If your sign just has that fine layer of dust we all deal with, start here. Here’s what you do:

1. First, unplug the sign or flip it off at the switch. Safety first, always.
2. Grab a feather duster and go to town. Hit every angle—the top of the tubes, the bottom, the backboard, everything. Dust loves to hide in those spots you can’t easily see, so really get in there. That’s it. Told you it was easy.

Method 2: Tackling Sticky Grime

Sometimes dust isn’t your only problem. Maybe there’s some sticky residue or built-up gunk that won’t brush off. No worries—we can handle that too.

Follow these steps:

1. Turn off your sign first.
2. Mix up some warm water with a tiny squirt of mild dish soap. Dip a soft cloth in there, then wring it out really well. We’re talking 90% of the water should come out—you want it barely damp, not wet.
3. Wipe down the tubes on all sides, plus the backboard. Rinse your cloth whenever it gets dirty. The key here is keeping things almost dry. A soaking wet sign is not what we’re going for.

Pat everything dry with another cloth or some paper towels. Wait about two hours before turning your sign back on. Just touch it to make sure there’s no moisture left anywhere.

Method 3: Getting Rid of Stubborn Stains

Got some really nasty stains that won’t budge? Maybe old nicotine buildup or something similar? Time to bring out the big guns—but don’t worry, it’s still pretty straightforward. Here’s the process:

1. Turn the sign off.
2. Mix up a cleaning solution: 10 parts water to 1 part household ammonia. If math isn’t your thing, that’s about five cups of water to half a cup of ammonia.
3. Put on rubber gloves for this one. Ammonia fumes aren’t fun to breathe, and they rise up, so keep your face away from the bucket. Dip your cloth in, wring out most of the liquid (same as before—barely damp), and clean the sign.
4. This step is important: Get a fresh bucket of clean warm water and wipe down the entire sign again with a clean damp cloth. You want zero ammonia residue left behind.
5. Dry everything thoroughly with a cloth or paper towel.

Give it two hours to air out and dry completely before turning it back on.

Method 4: Deep Cleaning for Long-Term Shine

If it’s been a while since your last cleaning—or your neon sign lives in a busy spot like a bar, restaurant, or workshop—this deep-clean method will restore its original glow. Here’s how to do it:

1. Turn off and unplug the sign. Always start safe.
2. Remove the sign from the wall (if possible). This gives you full access to every part—especially the back, where dust and grime often collect.
3. Use a handheld vacuum with a soft brush attachment to gently remove any built-up dust or cobwebs from tight corners and the transformer area.
4. Wipe with an alcohol-based glass cleaner. Spray the cleaner onto a microfiber cloth (never directly on the tubes) and carefully polish each section. This helps cut through greasy film and restores that perfect glass shine.
5. Inspect for wear or damage. While you’re at it, check for cracks, flickering, or discoloration—early signs that your sign might need repair.

Rehang and power it back on only after you’re sure everything is completely dry.

5 Safety Tips You Need to Know Before Cleaning Neon Signs

Neon signs might look delicate and fun—but remember, they’re electrical devices made of glass and gas. Cleaning them the wrong way can cause damage or even injury. Here’s how to stay safe while keeping your neon sign looking its best:

1. Always Unplug Before You Start

This sounds obvious, but it’s worth repeating. Neon signs run on high voltage, so never attempt to clean or move one while it’s plugged in. Unplug the cord or flip the power switch before touching anything.

2. Keep Water to a Minimum

Neon tubes and transformers don’t mix well with moisture. Use a barely damp cloth—never soak or spray water directly on the sign. If any electrical parts get wet, dry them thoroughly and wait at least 48 hours before turning the sign back on.

3. Avoid Sharp or Metal Cleaning Tools

Even a tiny scratch can ruin the glow or weaken the neon sign glass. Skip wire brushes, scrapers, or anything abrasive. Soft microfiber cloths and feather dusters are your best friends here.

4. Stay Safe When Cleaning Up High

If your neon sign is mounted high on a wall or above a bar, use a sturdy ladder and make sure someone spots you. Don’t overreach or balance awkwardly—move the ladder as needed. Pass your cleaning tools one at a time to avoid dropping anything onto the glass.

5. Handle Chemicals Carefully

When working with ammonia or other cleaning agents, wear rubber gloves and ensure good ventilation. Ammonia fumes can be irritating, so keep your face away from the solution and avoid breathing directly above it. Pro Tip: If your sign is in a tricky spot or you’re nervous about damaging it, don’t risk it—hire a professional neon cleaning service. They’ve got the right tools and experience to do the job safely and thoroughly.

How To Clean Traditional Glass Neon Signs? Here is the Way!

Got an old-school glass neon sign? These need a bit more TLC than modern LED versions. Glass signs get hot when they’re on, and that heat actually attracts dust, bugs, and all sorts of stuff. That means you’ll probably need to clean them more often—monthly is a good target. Here’s how to clean glass neon safely:

1. Turn it off and wait 2-3 hours for it to cool down completely. Seriously, don’t skip this. Glass neon tubes get surprisingly hot.
2. Touch it gently to confirm it’s cool before you start cleaning.
3. Use your feather duster on all the tubes and the backboard. There’s usually a sneaky spot behind the front panel where wiring meets glass—be extra careful there.
4. Wipe down the glass tubes and front plate with your barely-damp cloth.
5. Dry everything with a clean, dry cloth.
6. Wait another 2-3 hours, double-check it’s dry, then turn it back on.

Common Questions About Cleaning Neon Signs

How often should I clean my LED neon sign?

Check it monthly, but you’ll probably only need a real cleaning every three to six months, depending on how dusty your space gets. For routine maintenance, a soft brush works great to remove dust from all angles. If there are stains, use a barely-damp lint-free cloth with a mild cleaner. Stay away from harsh chemicals or anything abrasive.

Can I use water on my LED neon sign?

Yes, but carefully. Start with dry dusting first—that handles 90% of cleaning jobs. If you need water, use it sparingly on a cloth (remember: barely damp, not wet). Keep water away from electrical connections, and always dry everything afterward.

My neon sign won’t turn on. What should I do?

Start with the obvious stuff: Is it plugged in all the way? Is the switch actually on? Try a different outlet to rule out electrical issues. If none of that works, you’re probably looking at a real problem that needs professional help. Contact the Neon Beer Signs support team, and we’ll help you troubleshoot the issue.

Wrapping It Up

Honestly, keeping your neon sign clean isn’t complicated. A little monthly maintenance goes a long way toward keeping it bright and extending its life. Most of the time, you’re just dusting. Once in a while, you’ll need to wipe it down. And only rarely will you need to break out the ammonia for stubborn stains.

Stick to this routine, and your neon sign will keep looking sharp for years to come.If you have specific questions about caring for your sign or need professional help, the team at Neon Beer Signs is always here to assist you.