How to Clean & Care for Dice: 10 Tips

Keeping your dice clean and well-maintained ensures fair rolls, enhances their appearance, promotes hygiene, and extends their lifespan. Here's how to properly care for your dice:

Cleaning Dice

Dice Material Cleaning Method
Plastic, Gemstone, Resin Mild soap and water
Metal Soft cloth, gentle polish, soft brush for deeper cleaning
Wood Soft brush, mild soap solution, no soaking

Storing Dice

Dice Material Recommended Storage
Metal Soft dice bag or padded box lined with foam
Plastic, Resin, Gemstone Soft dice bag or padded box
Wood Dry, cool place in a soft container

Handling Dice

Maintaining Dice

When to Replace Dice

Replace dice if they are:

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Getting Ready

Before cleaning your dice, it's important to prepare properly. This initial step helps ensure a smooth and damage-free cleaning process.

Gather Supplies

You'll need:

Having these supplies ready will make cleaning your dice easier and more efficient.

Sort by Material

Separate your dice by material (plastic, metal, wood, gemstone, resin) before cleaning. Different materials require specific cleaning methods to prevent damage.

Sorting your dice by material will help:

Material Cleaning Method
Plastic Mild soap and water
Metal Gentle scrubbing with a soft brush
Wood Damp cloth, avoid soaking
Gemstone Mild soap and water, avoid harsh chemicals
Resin Mild soap and water, avoid abrasives

Cleaning Methods

Plastic Dice

To clean plastic dice:

Metal Dice

For metal dice:

Wooden Dice

Wooden dice require gentle cleaning:

Gemstone Dice

Handle and clean gemstone dice with care:

Resin Dice

To clean resin dice:

Dice Material Cleaning Method
Plastic Mild soap and water, soft cloth
Metal Soft cloth, gentle polish, mild soap and brush for deeper cleaning
Wood Soft brush, mild soap solution, avoid soaking
Gemstone Mild soap and water, soft cloth, avoid harsh chemicals
Resin Microfiber cloth, mild soap solution, avoid abrasives

Storing and Handling Dice Properly

Storing Dice

Keep your dice in a cool, dry place. Avoid humid or extreme temperatures, as these can harm materials like wood or resin. Use special containers like dice bags, boxes, or cases to protect your dice. These prevent scratches, dents, and breakage.

Dice Material Storage Recommendation
Metal Padded container or soft bag to prevent scratches and chips
Wood Dry, cool place to avoid warping or cracking
Gemstone Soft cloth or pouch for gentle storage

Handling Dice

Roll your dice on a dice tray or mat, not hard surfaces. This stops damage and scratches. Trays and mats also keep dice from getting lost.

Handle dice with care to avoid drops or impacts. When traveling, use a padded container or bag to prevent damage.

Maintaining Dice

Restoring Appearance

To keep your dice looking their best, clean them regularly:

You can also restore the shine to metal dice using a gentle polishing compound:

Repairing Damage

If your dice get damaged, you can try repairing them:

Before attempting a repair, assess the extent of the damage. If the dice are severely damaged, it may be better to replace them.

When to Replace

Here are some signs it's time to replace your dice:

Reason to Replace Explanation
Severe Damage Dice are chipped, cracked, or broken
Unfair Rolls Dice are no longer rolling evenly or consistently
Wear and Tear Dice are worn down and showing signs of age

If you have rare or collectible dice, consider replacing them with identical or similar dice to maintain the integrity of your collection and ensure fair rolls.

Keep Your Dice in Top Shape

Caring for your dice properly helps them last longer and roll fairly. Here are some tips:

Cleaning Dice

Dice Material Cleaning Method
Plastic, Gemstone, Resin Mild soap and water
Metal Soft cloth, gentle polish, soft brush for deeper cleaning
Wood Soft brush, mild soap solution, no soaking

Storing Dice

Dice Material Storage Recommendation
Metal Padded container or soft bag
Wood Dry, cool place
Gemstone Soft cloth or pouch

Handling Dice

Maintaining Dice

When to Replace Dice

Replace dice if they are:

Additional Info

Comparing Cleaning Methods

Method Materials Pros Cons
Mild Soap & Water Plastic, Resin, Wood Gentle, easy to find Needs thorough drying
Metal Polish Metal Restores shine Can scratch if not careful
Soft-Bristled Brush Wood, Gemstone Gentle, effective cleaning May not remove all stains

Storage Options for Dice

Container Materials Pros Cons
Dice Bags Fabric, Velvet Easy access, prevent scratches Less structured protection
Dice Boxes Wood, Plastic Sturdy protection, look nice Can be bulky
Individual Compartments Plastic, Foam Prevents friction, organized Can be expensive

FAQs

How do I care for my dice?

1. Clean Hands: Always handle your dice with clean hands.

2. Soft Surfaces: Roll your dice on soft surfaces like a dice tray or gaming mat. Avoid hard surfaces like glass or wooden tables, as they can damage your dice.

3. Proper Storage: Keep your dice in a dry, soft container like a dice bag or padded box. This prevents scratches, chips, and condensation.

How do I protect metal dice?

Store metal dice in a soft, dry container. A padded dice bag or box lined with foam works best. Plastic containers without padding can cause chipping and promote condensation on your dice. Wipe them with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove dust and oils.

What should I store my dice in?

Your dice should be stored in a dry, soft bag, box, or container. This protects them from scratches, dents, and moisture damage.

Can I keep metal dice in a bag?

Yes, a soft dice bag is suitable for storing metal dice. However, avoid plastic containers without padding, as they can accelerate chipping and promote condensation. A padded dice box lined with foam is also a good option. Remember to wipe your metal dice with a soft, lint-free cloth to keep them clean.

Dice Material Recommended Storage
Metal Soft dice bag or padded box lined with foam
Plastic, Resin, Gemstone Soft dice bag or padded box
Wood Dry, cool place in a soft container