Care & Cleaning of Switchplates

Like anything else in your home that you value, switchplates need to be maintained properly to keep looking their best.  Most can be cleaned with a damp cloth, but some require special precautions.  We break it all down for you, along with installation instructions, for each material.  Note: before polishing, please remove the switchplate from the wall.  The cleaner may damage your paint or get behind the plate and possibly damage your wiring.

Diamond Tread Aluminum
(Muscle Car Accessories)

There are a number of commercially available metal polishes that work great on diamond tread aluminum. Find them at auto parts stores or the automotive section of your favorite “big box” store.  Polishing will make switchplates look their best, but a damp washcloth is fine for minor cleaning. 
 
Brass
(Brass Accents, Charleston Hardware, Omnia, SPI Home)

There are several ways to clean your brass switchplates.  Here are two of our favorites.

Polish your brass items with a brass cleaner such as Brasso which has been around for many years and will do a marvelous job. Apply a little with a soft cloth and gently rub the tarnish and grime away. Use an old toothbrush to clean any cracks and crevices in your particular item. Buff the Brasso off with a clean soft cloth and you’ll be able to see your face in the resulting shine.

Or, place your brass items in a bucket of warm vinegar with a cup of salt dissolved in the mix. Soak until they are shiny. Remove the brass switchplates from the liquid and dry with clean soft cloths. Buff with a fresh soft cloth.

Ceramic
(All Fired Up, Clay Squared to Infinity, Mercury Moasics)

You may clean your ceramic switchplates with a damp cloth.

Installation - You must take care when installing your ceramic switchplates.  Unlike standard plates of most materials, ceramics break rather than bend.  You must take care not to over-tighten them.  Also, even though your old screws will work, it’s best to use the provided plastic screws.  If they are too long, just clip them to the proper length with a pair of scissors.

Decoupage
(A la Mode, Art Plates, Full Circle Studio, Switchplate Gallery)

All of the decoupage switchplates we carry have been sealed to protect the images and can be cleaned with a damp cloth.

Masonite
(Julia E. Sokol)

All of the masonite switchplates we carry have been sealed to protect the images and can be cleaned with a damp cloth.

Mirror
(CR Laurence )

You can clean your mirrored glass switchplates the same as you would any other mirror in your home.

Installation – Due to their fragile nature, you must take care when installing a glass mirror plate.  Each switchplate comes with plastic spacers that can be used if the electrical box does not stick out far enough in the wall.  Conversely you can use an acrylic perimeter gasket if the electrical box sticks out from the wall too far and there is a gap between switchplate and wall.

Pewter
(Fellowship Foundry, Nanette Orijinals, The Tin Woodsman)

You can always clean pewter with a damp cloth, but if you want to make it shine here are two of our favorite ways:

You can wash pewter in warm water using a mild detergent, then dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.

Or you can use a commercial pewter-cleaning product. Follow the package directions exactly. If you use a commercial polish, make sure it is formulated especially for pewter. Do not use silver or brass polish.

Installation – Pewter is very beautiful and malleable.  If your switchplate doesn’t seem to fit flush with your wall do not be afraid to slightly bend it with your hands.  You should be able to adjust it enough to make it fit well on almost any surface.

Plastic
(Plate Pals)

These are about the easiest switchplates to clean.  A damp cloth will clean most any problem in a matter of seconds.

Polymer Clay
(Good Night Irene)

It is best to clean your polymer clay switchplates with a damp cloth.

Steel
(Cowboy Décor)

It is best to clean your powder coated steel switchplates with a damp cloth.

Wood
(Mirage Wood)

These switchplates are finished with a boiled linseed oil. This is a clear finish that stays for many years. If you want to freshen up the look of the wood, just apply another coat of the same, or of any oil finish or furniture polish.

Wrought Iron
(Village Wrought Iron)

Wipe with a clean cloth dampened with a mixture of water and a mild dishwashing detergent, such as Ivory.