How to Get My Phone Case Back to Clear Again
Is that transparent phone instance you bought starting to look a tad yellow around the edges? Unfortunately, this is an all-too common scenario and information technology´s of import to know both why it occurs AND how to deal with information technology!
Quick summary (how to clean a clear case that has turned yellowish) – if your phone case has merely started to yellowish or if yous remember that the master culprit might be plain sometime dirt, give information technology a thorough scrub with water and dishwashing soap. For more than stubborn stains, soak the case in vinegar and baking soda OR cover with hydrogen peroxide (this should always exist a last resort)!
Why do phone cases turn yellow?
There are various reasons why clear phone cases plough yellowish, ranging from exposure to certain chemicals to the presence of microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. In 99% of instances, all the same, telephone case discoloration is the consequence of exposure to sunlight and UV rays.
This isn´t all that surprising if you remember nigh the result that sunlight has on other materials. I´m sure we´ve all left something outside for too long and experienced color fading, be it an item of clothing, a childhood toy or just something that you ´lost´ in a long-forgotten nook of the garden!
Unfortunately, both plastics ordinarily used to make articulate phone cases (TPU and polycarbonate) are negatively afflicted by UV rays.
Co-ordinate to the scientific discipline buffs over at Zeus, fifty-fifty the slightest impurity in polycarbonate (the become-to fabric for transparent hard cases) ´will initiate color instability´.
When oxygen is present (pretty much e'er, and then!), a process called photo-oxidization occurs. This causes both yellowing AND the breaking of chemical bonds, which leads to a brittle structure.
So, non only is yellowing a sight for sore eyes, merely it is besides a sign of degradation.
Don´t believe me? Give these earlier and after exposure snaps an eyeball –
So, practice all clear cases plough yellow?
Well, it depends on the cloth the instance is made from.
The vast majority of clear cases are made from either TPU (a soft, flexible polymer) or polycarbonate (a tough, rigid polymer) and both are susceptible to photo-oxidization (i.e. they both go yellowish when exposed to UV rays).
In that location are, though, other options on the market which are less likely to plow an unsightly shade of yellow –
The ´Clear Case´ by Pela is made with ´plant materials´ and doesn´t endure the same sickly yellowish fate as its poor plastic counterparts!
More progressive companies brand use of anti-yellowing agents in their cases. Basically, they add things called ´UV stabilizers´ during the manufacturing process; these absorb the UV radiation and prevent information technology from damaging the polymer itself.
Both Speck´due south ´Presidio Perfect-Articulate´ and Apple´s ´Clear Instance´ are made from ´anti-yellowing materials´ … then no need to fret well-nigh yellowing if your telephone´south wrapped in either of these!
How long does information technology accept for a clear case to plow yellow?
Well, information technology´s near impossible to say as each case is dissimilar AND at that place are a number of factors which determine the rate of yellowing –
1 Handling of case – if y'all and your phone case spend the weekends basking in the sun, definitely don´t expect it to stay clear forever!
two Quality of plastic – cheap plastics comprise more than impurities and are therefore more susceptible to colour change and deposition.
3 Presence of ´UV Stabilizers´ – these work to counter the effects of photodegradation.
Equally you lot can see, there are many different variables at play so it´s kind of difficult to give an exact timeframe.
In general, the cheaper the case, the faster information technology´southward likely to turn xanthous!
Ways to clean a clear phone example
´Basic´ cleaning method -
The following method is perfect if your phone is starting to look yellowish or if you recall it might just exist a niggling dingy.
You will need:
slightly yellowed phone case
old toothbrush
1 loving cup / mug full of warm water + a few drops of dish washing soap
Method:
1 Dip toothbrush in soapy water
2 Apply to case and scrub afflicted area until clean
iii Rinse and dry
NOTE – this method is unlikely to be constructive if discoloration is due to sunlight
The vinegar & baking soda method -
This is ane of the best means to clean your yellowed phone instance WITHOUT using bleach or peroxide.
You volition demand:
yellowed telephone instance
container (or sink)
old toothbrush
ii tablespoons baking soda
i cup vinegar
1 cup water
Method:
1 Place old, yellowed phone case in a container or sink
ii Cover with 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of h2o
3 Let sit for i-2 hours (or until the case starts to look ´clear´ once again)
4 Brush the case down with an erstwhile toothbrush, this should remove any residual
5 Rinse with water and admire your (hopefully successful) handiwork!
The peroxide method -
Peroxide is incredibly effective when it comes to waging war against yellowed plastic.
You probably already know that information technology´due south popular with hairdressers and blonde-haired surfer dudes, but it´southward likewise a UV stabilizer which means that it will really work to reverse the yellowing process!
Please be careful when using peroxide every bit it tin be corrosive to both hands and skin, we recommend the utilize of gloves at all times.
Y'all will need:
former, yellowed phone case
gloves (maybe goggles)
hydrogen peroxide 12%
ziplock pocketbook
old toothbrush
Method:
one Put on gloves and maybe even goggles if yous´re using uber-strong peroxide
2 Glaze telephone case with a sparse layer of peroxide
3 Place in ziplock pocketbook and leave to sit down in sun for 1-2 hours, turning over at half 60 minutes intervals
4 Rinse and dry out phone case, check if desired upshot has been accomplished
v Repeat process if necessary, checking / turning over phone case at half hour intervals
Notation – information technology is advisable to test the effect of the peroxide on your instance BEFORE going the full hog (just equally a hairdresser would do if y'all were getting your hair dyed). But apply a niggling peroxide to the corner of your case and follow the steps higher up.
The ´bleach bath´ -
If all else fails or you don´t want to utilise peroxide, yous can endeavour the ´bleach bath´ method. Once more, bleach is an extremely strong chemical so use it sparingly and with care!
You will need:
one-time, yellowed phone example
gloves
bleach
Method:
1 Make full a container or sink with ten parts h2o, ane part bleach
2 Place telephone instance in container (don´t forget to put on your gloves)
three Soak until articulate again
4 Rinse and dry
Note – the use of bleach (and peroxide) should be a last resort and is simply recommended if you lot´re really prepare on ´saving´ a particular case. Delight bear in mind that excess bleach will ruin your case!
How tin yellowing be avoided?
Virtually ´plastic´ phone cases will feel some yellowing, especially with heavy use.
The above methods should assist to address the issue in nearly instances and, considering all that´s going on in the world, it´s probably a proficient idea to requite your telephone case a quick scrub downwards anyway!
Really the best way to avert yellowing is to purchase a case manufactured using anti-yellowing agents. Remember that yellowing is actually a sign of degradation and, well, we really demand our phone case to be tough and durable … information technology´s there to PROTECT our device, later on all!
Information technology might toll you lot a piffling more at the time, just a well-made case may relieve you a dime in the long run!
Source: https://phonecasefunk.com/case-faqs/how-to-clean-a-clear-phone-case-that-has-turned-yellow-the-ultimate-guide/
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