How to Clean and Maintain Wooden Acoustic Wall Panels

Step-by-step care guide to keep your panels clean, beautiful, and long-lasting without damage.

Don’t ruin your walls with the wrong cleaning method

Wooden acoustic wall panels are more than just decoration. They’re part of your sound environment and your interior vibe. But dust, fingerprints, and grime don’t care how expensive they are. If you clean them the wrong way, you risk dulling the finish, damaging the veneer, or even ruining the acoustic performance.

This guide gives you a simple, safe cleaning method — no harsh chemicals, no microfiber guesswork, just what actually works.

What are wooden acoustic panels made of?

Before we clean, let’s break down the materials. Most panels are made of:

• A real wood veneer or melamine surface
• A black acoustic felt backing (often made of recycled PET)
• Vertical MDF or plywood slats attached to the felt

Each layer reacts differently to moisture, heat, and pressure. So the goal is to remove dust and grime without soaking or scratching the surface.

Weekly: Quick dusting routine

What you need:

• Soft microfiber cloth or duster
• Vacuum cleaner with soft brush attachment

Steps:

1. Gently wipe down each slat with a dry microfiber cloth
2. Use a vacuum to clean between slats and over the felt
3. Don’t press too hard — let the tools do the work
4. Avoid rubbing in circles. Follow the grain of the wood

This prevents buildup and keeps the felt from getting clogged.

Monthly: Deep but safe cleaning

What you need:

• Damp (not wet) microfiber cloth
• pH-neutral wood cleaner or a few drops of dish soap in warm water
• Optional: wood conditioner (only if you have real wood veneer)

Steps:

1. Dampen your cloth — not dripping
2. Gently wipe each slat along the grain
3. Immediately dry with a second clean cloth
4. For stains or fingerprints, use diluted wood cleaner and test in a hidden spot
5. If using conditioner, apply sparingly and buff out

Never spray directly onto the panel. Mist the cloth instead.

Felt maintenance tips

The felt backing is delicate. It attracts dust but doesn’t like moisture.

• Only vacuum with a soft brush head
• Never scrub or wipe it with a wet cloth
• If something spills, blot it immediately with a dry towel
• For odor or smoke, use a fabric-safe spray like Febreze Light — test first

What to avoid

• No bleach, alcohol, or ammonia-based cleaners
• No rough cloths, steel wool, or abrasive sponges
• No steam cleaners or high heat
• No soaking — moisture warps MDF and delaminates veneer
• Don’t ignore fingerprints. They build up oil and dull the finish

How to keep panels looking like new for years

• Install away from direct sunlight to avoid fading
• Maintain stable indoor humidity (between 40–60 percent)
• Don’t lean furniture or heavy objects against them
• Do routine checks for moisture or insect damage, especially in older buildings
• Add LED backlighting to highlight the wood, not expose the flaws