Modern tiles
Acrylic, melamine and resin tiles can be wiped with a soft cloth dampened in mild soapy water, then dried straight away. Some players wash them in a mesh bag, but avoid dishwashers: heat and harsh detergents can fade paint and warp tiles. Disinfecting wipes are fine if they contain no harsh solvents.
Vintage materials
Bone-and-bamboo sets should never be soaked, because water can loosen the dovetail joint and warp the bamboo. A dry or barely damp cloth is safest. Bakelite and celluloid can be cleaned gently, but solvents and abrasive polishes can damage the surface and paint.
If a valuable set needs restoration, consult a specialist rather than experimenting.
Storage
Store tiles in their case, away from direct sunlight, heat and damp. Sunlight fades paint and can discolour plastics; heat can warp; damp encourages mould on bamboo and wood cases. Keep a list of the set's contents inside the lid so you can check completeness quickly.
Replacing missing tiles
Missing tiles can be replaced with blank spares painted to match, with stickers, or by buying single tiles from sellers of incomplete sets. For American play, joker stickers are widely available and allow a Chinese set to be converted.
