Caring for Novelty Plastic Dice Sets

Quick answer

Clean novelty plastic dice with mild soap and water, store them away from direct sunlight and heat, and avoid harsh chemicals to preserve their colors and readability.

Why plastic dice need different care than metal or resin

Plastic dice are lighter and more affordable than metal or resin sets, but they are also more prone to scratching, warping, and fading. The molded numbers and colors are part of the material, so aggressive cleaning or high heat can permanently damage them.

Unlike sharp-edge resin dice, most plastic dice have a slight give that makes them less likely to chip on hard floors. However, they can develop cloudy patches if stored in damp conditions or exposed to solvents.

Diagnosing common plastic dice problems

• Symptom: Numbers are hard to read: Ink in the numbers has worn away or become filled with dirt and oils from handling.
• Likely cause: Frequent rolling without cleaning, or using hand lotions before a session.: Oils and grime build up in the recessed numbers, making them appear shallow or faded.
• Corrective action: Gently scrub the numbers with a soft toothbrush and mild dish soap in lukewarm water. Rinse and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.: For stubborn grime, use a drop of isopropyl alcohol on the brush (not the whole die) and rinse immediately. Do not soak plastic dice in alcohol. If numbers still look faded after cleaning, the paint may have worn off permanently. Consider using a fine-tip paint pen to re-ink them.
• Symptom: Dice feel sticky or tacky: The plastic surface has started to degrade, often from heat or chemical exposure.
• Likely cause: Storing dice in a hot car, near a radiator, or in contact with PVC or silicone that off-gasses plasticizers.: Some dice bags and trays contain materials that react with standard plastic over time.
• Corrective action: Wash with mild soap and water. If tackiness remains, isolate the dice from suspect storage materials and move them to a cool, dry place.: A light dusting of cornstarch can reduce stickiness temporarily, but it will attract more dirt. If the dice remain tacky after washing and isolating, the plastic has chemically broken down. Replace the set – this damage is irreversible.
• Symptom: Dice have white or cloudy spots: Moisture has gotten between layers of the plastic or the surface has been etched by a solvent.

Products mentioned

• Pink T-Rex RPG Dice Set: Perfect for Role Playing Games like Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), Shadowrun, Pathfinder, Warhammer, fantasy, sci-fi, or party games. This Pink T-Rex set is a good example of a standard plastic dice set that benefits from gentle care to keep its bright, playful colors vivid.

  

  Pink T-Rex RPG Dice Set

• Coffee Mushroom RPG Dice Set: Perfect for Role Playing Games like Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), Shadowrun, Pathfinder, Warhammer, fantasy, sci-fi, or party games. The Coffee Mushroom set's earthy tones can fade or smudge if cleaned with alcohol, so stick to mild soap and water for long-lasting color.

  

  Coffee Mushroom RPG Dice Set