How to clean and look after 3D printed figures (and what heat does to PLA)

3D printed figures need very little looking after. They don't tarnish, they don't need polishing, and they survive being knocked over far better than ceramic. There are really only two things that damage them: heat and careless cleaning. Here's how to avoid both.

The one rule: keep PLA out of the heat

Most display figures, including most of ours, are printed in PLA. PLA is stiff, holds detail beautifully, and is made from plant starches. Its weakness is heat. It starts to soften at its glass transition temperature, around 55–60°C.

That sounds high until you remember where Indian summers take things:

A softened figure doesn't melt into a puddle. It slowly sags: a thin sword droops, a ledge sitter's legs bend, or the seat warps so it no longer sits flat. Once cooled, it stays that way.

So: indoors, out of direct afternoon sun, away from hot electronics, and never in a car. That covers it. If a piece needs to live somewhere warm, ask us about printing it in PETG, which holds up to around 75–80°C.

Dusting

Dust settles into the fine layer lines and recesses of a figure. Every week or two:

1. 1.Use a soft, dry makeup brush or a clean paintbrush. Work from the top down.
2. 2.For recesses, like folds of a cloak or between fingers, a can of compressed air or a camera lens blower works well.
3. 3.Avoid feather dusters on pieces with thin parts. The fibres snag.

Deeper cleaning

If a figure gets grimy (kitchen shelves, sticky fingers), it can be washed:

1. 1.Use lukewarm water (not hot) with a drop of mild dish soap.
2. 2.Clean gently with a soft toothbrush.
3. 3.Rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth, then let it air-dry fully.

Avoid:

• Hot water, because of the heat rule above
• Acetone, nail polish remover and strong solvents, which can cloud or etch the surface
• Dishwashers, which are too hot and too violent
• Abrasive scrubbers, which scratch the surface and dull the finish

Painted or bronze-finished pieces should only be dusted, never washed.

Fixing a small break

Thin parts like swords, staffs, scythes and fingers are the usual casualties of a fall. For a clean break:

1. 1.Keep every piece, including small fragments.
2. 2.Use a cyanoacrylate glue (super glue). The gel type is easier to control.
3. 3.Apply a tiny amount to one side, press together for 30 seconds, and let it cure for an hour before handling.

For PLA, a clean break glued this way is often nearly invisible.

Storing figures

If you're packing pieces away or moving house:

• wrap each one in tissue or bubble wrap, especially thin parts
• store them in a box, not a bag, so nothing presses on them
• keep the box somewhere cool. Not an attic, and not a car boot in summer

If something arrives damaged

Couriers are couriers. Every piece we ship goes in a box with protective inserts, but if one arrives broken, photograph the piece and the packaging and send it to us within seven days of delivery. We reprint and reship it at our cost. The details are on our shipping and returns page, and how we pack and ship figures explains the packing.

Frequently asked questions

How do I clean a 3D printed figure?

Dust it with a soft brush every week or two. For dirt, wash gently in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap and a soft toothbrush, then air-dry. Never use hot water, solvents or a dishwasher.

Will a 3D printed figure melt in the sun?

It won't melt, but PLA figures can sag or warp above about 55°C. That happens in parked cars and on sunny window sills. Normal indoor shelves are fine.

Can I glue a broken 3D print?

Yes. Super glue (cyanoacrylate) bonds PLA and PETG well. Use a small amount, hold for 30 seconds, and let it cure before handling.

Do 3D printed figures fade over time?

Indoors and out of direct sun, the colour stays stable for years. Long-term direct sunlight can slowly fade and weaken PLA, which is another reason to keep figures off sunny window sills.