Care guide / Published September 21, 2026

How to Care for and Clean Dice

General rules (all dice)

• Wipe, don't soak. A soft cloth, barely damp, then dry right away. Prolonged water can seep into inclusions or seams.
• No harsh chemicals. Avoid alcohol, acetone, bleach, and solvent cleaners — they can dull polish and lift painted/inked numbers.
• No abrasives. Scrubbing pads and toothpaste-style abrasives scratch acrylic and resin.
• Keep away from heat & sun. Heat can warp resin and fade colors; a hot car is the enemy.
• Use a tray. Rolling in a tray or on a mat prevents chips and scratches — see dice trays & accessories.

Care by material

• Acrylic — the most forgiving. A damp wipe handles most grime; keep it away from solvents (material comparison guide).
• Resin — wipe only; avoid soaking, heat, and hard drops. Sharp-edge and liquid-core sets are collector-grade — handle with care (resin dice guide, sharp-edge vs rounded dice).
• Metal — very durable, but dry it to avoid water spots and store apart so it doesn't scratch softer dice (metal dice guide).
• Gemstone — natural stone is beautiful but brittle; never soak, keep padded, and expect natural variation and the odd inclusion line (gemstone dice guide).

Protecting the numbers

Inked and painted numbers are the first thing to wear. Skip solvents and abrasives, don't pick at the fill, and roll in a tray rather than on grit. Engraved-and-filled numbers last longest — why is explained in how dice numbers are made.

Storing dice

1. Cushioned storage — a foam tray, padded case, or bag; keep premium sets from knocking together.
2. Cool, dark, dry — away from windows, radiators, and cars.
3. Separate materials — keep metal away from softer acrylic/resin to avoid scratches.
4. Display safely — stands and cases protect collections (dice collecting guide).

Frequently asked questions

How do you clean dice?

Wipe them with a soft, barely damp cloth and dry immediately. Do not soak dice or use alcohol, acetone, bleach, or abrasive cleaners, which can dull the finish and lift inked or painted numbers. For stubborn grime, a slightly damp cloth with a tiny amount of mild soap, wiped and dried quickly, is the most you should need.

Can you wash resin dice in water?

Only a quick damp wipe — never soak them. Prolonged water and heat can affect resin, seams, and any inclusions, and sharp-edge or liquid-core sets are especially delicate. Wipe gently and dry right away, and keep them out of hot places like a sunny sill or a car.

How do you care for metal dice?

Metal dice are very durable: wipe them and dry to avoid water spots, and avoid harsh chemicals that could affect plating. Store them separately from softer acrylic and resin dice, because metal can scratch them, and use a tray or mat so heavy metal dice do not damage your table or other sets.

How should I store my dice?

Keep them cushioned and cool: a foam tray, padded case, or dice bag, away from heat, direct sun, and damp. Separate metal from softer dice to prevent scratches, and use stands or cases to protect displayed collections.

What should you never do to dice?

Never soak them, use solvents (alcohol, acetone, bleach) or abrasives, leave them in heat or direct sun, or pick at the inked numbers. These are the main causes of dull finishes, worn numbers, and warped or cracked resin and gemstone dice.