Key Takeaways
- Clear phone cases made of silicone naturally turn yellow due to material degradation, which is accelerated by exposure to light, heat, and sweat. Let’s explore detailed answers to the question: why do phone cases turn yellow?
- Dish soap and baking soda are effective materials for removing yellow stains from phone cases. Check out these five easy tips from Deal Just Deal on how to clean clear phone case that turned yellow using items available at home!
Why Do Phone Cases Go Yellow?
Before we look at how to fix a yellow phone case, we need to understand a little bit about what makes clear cases yellow.
This yellowing is not a stain, but it is a result of aging. Source: Blackview.hk
Most of the transparent phone cases are made of silicone, which is a very cheap and highly elastic polymer. Unfortunately, the silicone naturally turns yellow as time goes by. The discoloration seen is not actually a stain but a symptom of the normal breaking down of the silicone.
Apart from that, several other reasons contribute to this dreadful yellowing process, and these are to wit:
Constant exposure to UV rays and radiation, especially for those who use their phones outdoors, slowly oxidizes and causes the clear case to turn yellow. The UV rays cause the breakdown of the polymer, leaving behind short chains that cause the yellowing effect.
Also, humidity and temperature, with respect to the surroundings, the outdoors, and body heat from your hands, tend to accelerate this type of oxidation, which may make clear phone cases turn yellow at an increased rate.
When your hands make oil and touch the case, bacteria could develop on it. If the phone case isn't cleaned regularly, bacteria are the reason for yellow stains. Moreover, water and grease mixed with the sweat will result in yellowness after some time.
How To Clean Clear Phone Case That Turned Yellow
So, how to get yellow off phone case effectively? Let’s have a look!
The best option for how to clean a clear phone case that turned yellow is to use dish soap and warm water. Dish soap is very good at cutting through grease and breaking down any residue it happens upon. In other words, it's an excellent cleaner for a yellowed phone case. Take the case off of your phone and follow these steps:
Begin by mixing a couple of drops of dish soap with lukewarm water in the sink until it becomes soapy. Take a clean, unused toothbrush and dip it into the soapy solution. Scrub the crevices, the ports, or even buttons on the phone case.
Next, grab a clean, spare toothbrush and dip it into the soapy solution. Scrub the nooks and crannies of the phone case, especially around the ports or buttons.
Clean a clear phone case turning yellow with dish soap. Source: neofier.com
Once cleaned, run cold water over the case, then completely dry with a towel. Allow the case to air out for at least 60 minutes before placing it back onto your phone. You should repeat this process every week or so, depending on your needs.
Another effective way of cleaning a yellowed clear phone case includes baking soda. This is because baking soda is an abrasive that can dissolve dirt and grease when mixed with water; hence, it is ideal for cleaning a yellowed phone case. Here is how:
How to remove yellow from clear phone cases with baking soda? Source: wikihow.com
Place your blank case on a surface, such as a table lined with a towel; that way, if there is a spill, you will be able to wipe it away immediately. Sprinkle baking soda all over one side of the case. You can always flip over to the other side afterward.
Now, take a spare toothbrush, wet its bristles, and begin scrubbing the case in circular motions; be sure to give extra attention to any heavy staining. Add water to the toothbrush while scrubbing, if need be.
Once you are done, then you rinse off the baking soda under running water. Flip the case over and also do it to the other side. Make sure you wipe away all the baking soda before you pat the case dry with a soft microfiber cloth. Allow your case to air dry completely before putting it on your phone.
White vinegar is a very good natural cleaner owing to its strength and acidity. In this regard, white vinegar can easily remove the limescale and disinfect the surfaces. Well, here is how to unyellow a clear phone case with white vinegar:
To clean clear cases, use a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar. Source: treehugger.com
First, prepare a container or any sufficiently large bowl in which your case can fit. Subsequently, place your phone case inside the container and weigh it down using something quite heavy to keep it submerged. Avoid using metal or rubber objects to avoid corrosion.
Next, sprinkle two tablespoons of baking soda over the case. Now, slowly pour one cup of distilled white vinegar on top; you will see it start to fizzle. That is part of the cleaning process. If it does not cover the case, then slowly pour more vinegar as needed.
Allow the case to soak for a few hours. After that, rinse it under running water lightly. Pat dry with an extremely soft microfiber cloth and air-dry completely before you put it back on the phone.
For the section on “how to fix yellow phone cases,” one cannot miss the toothpaste. Here’s how to use it:
Place your empty phone case on a clean surface. Apply toothpaste to the yellowed areas. Take a soft-bristled toothbrush, wet the bristles, and gently scrub the toothpaste-covered regions for about 2 minutes. Finally, rinse your case with warm running water and dry it thoroughly with a soft towel.
Rinse the case under running water. Source: neofier.com
The last recommendation for how to clean a yellow phone case would be rubbing alcohol, which can restore it to an almost new appearance.
Rubbing alcohol kills bacteria on contact and leaves a shiny finish as it dries fast. It could, however, be used with lots of care because it discolors some phone cases; try checking the instructions for care first and then test in a small, inconspicuous area.
Start by placing your phone case on a clean surface. You can either spray the rubbing alcohol directly onto the case or use an alcohol-soaked pad.
You can clean a clear phone case with an alcohol pad. Source: shutterstock.com
Wipe down the entire case, making sure you clean the front and back as well as all corners and openings for charging ports.
Finally, after you are done, simply wipe the remnants of alcohol with a clean microfiber cloth. Allow the case to air dry for several hours before taking it into use once again.
Those are simple yet effective tips on how to remove yellowing from clear phone cases that we wanted to share with you. But just like we said earlier, that yellowing you see is due to the natural degradation of silicone, and eventually, no amount of cleaning will be able to restore it.
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