Keep cleaning limited to the outside of a graded card holder: remove loose dust gently and use a clean, dry microfiber cloth with light pressure. Do not try to open the sealed holder or polish away deep scratches; for a damaged or badly scuffed PSA holder, check the grading company's reholder service and current eligibility.
Treat the holder as a sealed display case, not a container to open for routine cleaning. For light exterior dust, use a clean, dry microfiber cloth with gentle pressure. Avoid solvents, abrasive products and forceful polishing unless the grading company specifically approves a method for that holder.
A cautious exterior routine
- Set the holder on a clean, dry surface and handle it by its edges.
- Remove loose dust gently before wiping, so grit is less likely to drag across the plastic.
- Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth on the outside only and stop if the surface does not clear easily.
- Do not pry at the seam, press on the card area or apply a chemical cleaner to the holder.
PSA’s submission kit includes a microfiber cloth, but its public reholder page does not give a full cleaning procedure. Treat the steps above as a conservative way to remove light surface dust, not as a PSA cleaning protocol or a way to restore a scratched holder.
When the holder needs service
If a holder has a deep scratch, crack, clouding at the seam or other damage, check the grading company’s current service options. PSA describes its reholder service as removal and re-encapsulation and lists superficial scuffs, scratches and certain cosmetic wear as examples. Service eligibility and outcomes depend on the company’s current rules and the item itself.
Do not attempt to improve the card through the slab. For handling and storage before grading, read our trading card protection guide and card grading explainer. Browse the storage and display category for more collection-care advice.
Official references
Common questions
Can I open a graded card slab to clean the card?
Do not open it as a cleaning step. PSA describes its holder as tamper-evident and offers a reholder service for eligible holders; opening or breaking the seal changes the holder's condition.
Can I polish scratches out of a slab?
Avoid abrasive polish or aggressive rubbing. PSA lists superficial scuffs and scratches among examples for its reholder service, so check the grading company's service details for significant wear.
What can I use to wipe the outside of a slab?
For light dust, a clean, dry microfiber cloth and gentle pressure are a conservative exterior-only approach. PSA includes a microfiber cloth in its submission kit, but its reholder page does not publish a full slab-cleaning procedure.