How to Get Rid of Yellow Stains on Clear Phone Cases
Phone covers add a touch of style to your phone, and a transparent phone case gives a sleek look that lets the original design shine out. If you own an iPhone 14 transparent case or any other model, a clear case helps maintain that minimalist aesthetics. However, as you must have observed, the same transparent phone cases develop yellow stains due to exposure to light, heat, oil or even sweat from your hands. Although this yellowing can be irritating, with the right phone case whitening techniques, you can restore the originality of the cover.
Why Does a Clear Phone Case Turn Yellow?
Transparent phone cases are either custom clear cases or standard models, which are made from a plastic material called TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). TPU is known for its flexibility and durability and is prone to discolouration. Here are some leading causes of phone case yellowing:
- Exposure to UV light: Sunlight breaks down plastic materials, making them turn yellow in no time.
- Heat: Exposure to high temperatures or heat leads to the degradation of plastic, causing it to lose its transparency.
- Oils and dirt: Yellowing is also caused due to natural oils, dirt, grime and sweat coming from your skin. These accumulate in the case, adding to the yellowness of the phone case.
Knowing the main reason behind the yellowing is the first step to understanding how to do phone case whitening.
How do you clean a clear phone case that turned yellow?
1. Soap and Water Method
This is the easiest way to clean your clear phone case. This method helps remove surface-level dirt and oils, one of the root causes of yellowing.
Steps:
- Start with the obvious step - remove the case from your phone.
- Take a bowl full of water and add a few drops of mild dishwashing soap.
- Soak the case in soapy water and use a soft cloth or sponge to gently scrub all surfaces.
- Pay attention to the bottom and edges, as those areas are subject to yellowness most of the time.
- After soaking the case for a few minutes, rinse the case with running water to remove the soap residue.
- Pat dry the case with a dry cloth and dry it in the air. After it is dried up, place it back with the phone.
This may not result in phone case whitening, but it is an excellent first step to remove the stains.
2. A paste of Baking Soda and Water
For more stubborn yellow stains, a paste made from baking soda and water can help lift discolouration. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that is safe for use on plastic and will not scratch your Liquid Crystal Anti-Yellowing Clear Case.
Steps:
- Take a bowl and make a thick paste of baking soda and water.
- Apply the paste to the yellowed areas of the case with a soft-bristle toothbrush or a paste applicator brush.
- Scrub the paste in a circular motion, focusing on yellowish areas.
- Let the paste soak in the cover for about 10-15 minutes to allow the baking soda to remove the stains.
- After 10-15 minutes of soaking, rinse it with running water to remove the paste.
- Dry it thoroughly and attach it to your phone.
This is one solution to clean a clear phone case that turned yellow. Baking soda is abrasive and is considered one of the best elements for removing surface stains.
3. Rubbing Alcohol Method
This is one of the most powerful cleaning methods. This method works well on custom clear cases and other transparent phone cases, removing dirt from scratch.
Steps:
- Dampen a microfiber cloth with rubbing alcohol (Use 70% isopropyl alcohol or higher if required).
- Gently wipe the case, especially on the yellow-stained areas.
- Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean hard-to-reach areas like the corners.
- Let the case air dry completely, as alcohol evaporates quickly.
Alcohol prevents yellow stains to its core and cleans the phone cases from scratch.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide Soak
Hydrogen peroxide is beneficial for phone case whitening. It is a bleaching agent that helps reverse the yellowing process on your Chrome Edge Clear Phone Case or other clear cases.
Steps:
- Take a container full of hydrogen peroxide, enough to submerge the case.
- Place your yellowed phone case in the container and let it soak for 1-2 hours.
- After soaking, remove the case and rinse it thoroughly with running water.
- Dry the case entirely. Now, you can reuse the cover.
Hydrogen peroxide removes hardened yellow stains, but make sure you don’t leave the cover in the bleach for too long. The prolonged exposure to the bleach will weaken the plastic.
5. Toothpaste Scrub
Toothpaste is the most handy way to clean a clear phone case that turns yellow. It mildly abrades and helps remove the yellow-stained areas without damaging the case.
Steps:
- Apply toothpaste to a piece of cotton or handkerchief.
- Gently scrub the yellowed areas in circular motions.
- Continue scrubbing for a few minutes, then rinse the case under warm water.
- Wipe the case with a clean cloth and allow it to air dry.
Toothpaste is good for minor yellowing and is safest for any clear phone case.
Avoid Future Yellowing
Although it is possible to recover your phone case from yellowing, preventing it is always better. Below are some tips to keep your Liquid Crystal Anti-Yellowing Clear Case or iPhone 14 transparent case looking clear for longer:
- Keep the case out of direct sunlight: A lot of UV exposure is a primary cause of yellowing. It is advised to avoid exposing the phone to direct sunlight for a lot of time.
- Clean your case regularly: Keep cleaning your phone regularly with soap and water or rubbing alcohol, which prevents yellowing from oils and dirt.
- Choose anti-yellowing cases: If you want to purchase a new case, consider a Liquid Crystal Anti-Yellowing Clear Case or a similar product that prevents discolouration.
How to Choose the Perfect Clear Case for Your Phone?
When selecting a clear case, you would surely want one that looks great and gives long-term durability. At Cover it Up, we highly recommend our Chrome Edge Clear Phone Case, known for its stylish design and anti-yellowing features. This particular case gives a clear view and protects your phone from discolouring and any type of damage. If you want to maintain a minimalistic look without wanting to clean constantly, use custom clear cases and Liquid Crystal Anti-Yellowing Clear Cases. These cases prevent yellowing, giving you a sleek and transparent look without worrying about stains.
Conclusion
There are minor discolouration or deep yellow stains, which is evident in any transparent case, but with the stain removal technique, you can achieve your desired results. Now you know how to clean a clear phone case when turned yellow and give back its original look. Also, it becomes necessary to maintain it regularly. You can also go for anti-yellowing models like the Liquid Crystal Anti-Yellowing Clear Case, which keeps your phone as fresh and clean as ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does my transparent phone case turn yellow?
Ans: Phone cases made from TPU are usually subject to yellowing over some time. This is mainly due to overexposure to light, sweat, and oils coming from your body. This causes yellowing of the cover.
2. How can I clean a clear phone case that has turned yellow?
Ans: To clean a yellowed phone case, you can use several other methods, such as soap and water, baking soda paste, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide soaks and toothpaste, which effectively removes stains. This phone case whitening method will restore the transparency of your phone cases.
3. Will cleaning my clear phone case weaken or damage the material?
Ans: Proper cleaning should not damage your phone. Avoid using harsh chemicals and abrasive scrubbing, as they can weaken plastic.
4. How often should I clean my clear phone case?
Ans: To prevent yellowing, it is preferred that you clean your phone every few weeks. Regularly clean with mild soap and water or rubbing alcohol
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