Smartphone covers and cases are not what they used to be a few years back – nowadays, you can find a back cover for any model, in any color and design. The material in which these covers are made have also become varied. In this blog, you will know How to Clean a Clear Phone Case That’s Turned Yellow.
With the general increase in screen time all around the globe, the wear and tear on an average smartphone have increased significantly. More specifically, the damage on the phone case is very high – it becomes dirty and stained. For people who have a clear phone case, the struggle is real – it is not rare to spot a yellowed case.
So, what really causes this yellow staining of phone cases? And are they removable? Read ahead and find out How to Clean a Clear Phone Case That’s Turned Yellow!
Why is my Clear Phone Case turning Yellow?
Clear cases are generally made of silicone and similar polymers. Silicones are known for their flexibility and strength, so they are employed at large levels in the manufacturing of phone cases. These covers are also very cheap – another advantage that makes these covers favorable.
But as we know, these silicone cases become a dark yellow in color as time goes. You have to understand that they are not just stains; rather, this discoloration is the sign of degradation of the material of the back cover case.
There are several factors that cause this phenomenon. Generally, it is due to the aging of the material. Take a look at some of the things that boost the aging process.
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Ultraviolet radiation
If you use your phone often when you’re out in the sun, it turns out to be one of the motivating factors for the staining phenomenon. The UV rays from the Sun are hazardous to your case.
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Extreme temperatures and high humidity
When your phone is overheating, the excess heat is transferred to the case. This causes it to expand and become dark yellow-ish in color.
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Sweat and oil
The grease and other dirt from your hand can make the clear case shift to yellow. This is because of an oxidation reaction.
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Solvents and other things
The miscellaneous stuff you drop on your phone also contributes to the staining of the cover – it could be anything, like a food item.
Keeping your Phone Case free from Yellow Stains – Tips and Tricks
Having a crisp and clean phone case is still a dream for many, due to the above stated reasons. Sometimes, your phone cover might be too old, so the best option is to get a new replacement for it from gritleather.com!
There are numerous simple approaches that help you remove the yellowness from your clear case. Given below are a few of those tricks.
Detergent – Dishwashing Liquid or Soap
This is the most popular way employed to get rid of yellow stains from a phone case. Take a mild detergent or dishwashing liquid and add it to warm water to make a diluted solution. Soak the phone case in this solution for a few minutes. Then remove it and give a gentle scour with an old toothbrush.
After scrubbing all the stains clean, run water on it and dry it perfectly. Now, your case is good as new!
Baking Soda
Baking soda is highly effective when it comes to cleaning certain materials. Silicone is one of them, so this soda is among the top choice for the substances that can clean a clear case.
Lay down the phone case on a surface and spread some amounts of baking soda inside it. Now, take a soft bristled brush and wet it in cold water. Gently spread the soda all over and rub it. After giving it a wash, you’ll find that all the yellow stains are gone!
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a solution that also acts as a disinfectant, so it can be great for your phone case. However, some materials do not react well with this solution. So, before you use it on the material, you need to test it on a small spot of the case.
Take a small microfiber cloth and slightly wet it with some rubbing alcohol solution. Now move the cloth around the case in circles, to get rid of any dirt and stain. Before you use the case again, wipe it with another microfiber cloth and dry it off completely.
Paint Thinner and Toothpaste
This technique could be your last resort. First, apply a thin layer of toothpaste all over your phone case and rub it with the help of a steel wool scrubber. After scrubbing well, you can wash it off.
Now, apply paint thinner to your case and coat it well. Again, you can rub with the steel wool scrubber thoroughly. At last, rinse the solution off with water. If you find that the toothpaste or the paint thinner remains, you can try applying a bit of dish liquid and then washing the case clean.
Final Words
These are some of the most common methods used to cleanse and tidy up a clear phone case. If the case still remains dirty and yellow after applying these techniques on them, maybe it’s time for you to consider a new case!
