How to safely clean plastics?

Ok, the only reason I ask this question is because I learned a hard lesson with my last vehicle.

Does anybody know how to safely clean the plastic overlay that protects the instrument cluster?

I took a paper towel to my last vehicle, and put some serious scratches and swirls in this clear plastic piece. I don't want to make the same mistake with my new truck. This piece is starting to get dusty, and I want to clean it off, but I am scared to death to touch it because the last time I did this in my old car, I pretty much ruined it.

I have a couple of ideas, maybe I could us a diaper or shammy, but I figured you guys probably have a real good solution to this. The ol' blue shop towel is not going to ruin another one of these!

Thanks,

I start by using the soft hair (not plastic) attachment on a vacume cleaner and gently vacume the most of it. Then I lay an old T-shirt in the bottom of the of the display, tucked up against the lens. Then I spray with some window cleaner and let it run down being caught by the cloth. Then I gently clean using a t-shirt moistened with window cleaner. After it dries I use an anti-static spray to keep it cleaner longer.