How to Clean a Yellowing Clear Smartphone Case at Home

Is the yellowing of the borders of your phone’s transparent cases starting to bother you? Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common occurrence, and it’s critical to understand why it happens and how to handle it!

What Causes Phone Cases to Turn Yellow?

clear phone case

Mobile phone cases become yellow for various reasons, including contact with certain chemicals and the presence of microorganisms, such as fungus and bacteria. In addition, sunshine and UV radiation exposure often cause phone case discolouration. UV rays harm TPU and polycarbonate, widely used to produce transparent phone cases.

How to Clean a Discolored Clear Phone Case 

Basic Cleaning Process 

Use a basic cleaning procedure if your clear smartphone cases are starting to appear yellow or you suspect it is just dirty, use this procedure.

You’ll need the following items:

  • yellowed phone cover
  • an old toothbrush
  • 1 cup or mug of warm water, plus a few drops of dish detergent

Instructions:

  1. Soak your toothbrush in soapy water for a few minutes.
  2. Apply to the case and scrub the damaged region until it is spotless.
  3. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

NOTE: This approach is unlikely to work if sunshine causes discolouration.

The Peroxide Method 

When it comes to fighting yellowed plastic, using peroxide is highly effective.

It’s certainly no surprise that it’s popular among hairdressers and surfers with blonde hair, but it’s also a UV stabiliser, which can reverse the yellowing process!

Please exercise caution while working with peroxide because it may be caustic to your hands and skin. Use gloves to be safe and sure.

You’ll need the following items:

  • a rusted and yellowed phone cover
  • an old toothbrush
  • pair of gloves (maybe goggles)
  • 12 per cent hydrogen peroxide
  • Ziploc

Instructions: 

  1. If you’re using extremely strong peroxide, put on gloves and maybe goggles.
  2. Apply a thin coating of peroxide on the phone case.
  3. Place in a Ziploc bag and set aside under the sun for one to two hours, turning over every half hour.
  4. Rinse and dry the phone case, check whether you acquired the intended result.
  5. If necessary, repeat the process, inspecting and flipping over the phone case every thirty minutes.

Cleaning with Vinegar and Baking Soda 

Without using bleach or peroxide, applying vinegar and baking soda is one of the best ways to clean your yellowed phone case.

You’ll need the following items:

  • yellowed phone case 
  • the container
  • old toothbrush
  • two tbsp. bicarbonate of soda
  • one quart of vinegar
  • one cup of water

Instructions:

  1. Put the old yellowed phone cover in a container.
  2. Combine two teaspoons baking soda, one cup vinegar, and one cup water in a mixing bowl.
  3. Set aside for one to two hours (or until the case regains its ‘clean’ appearance.)
  4. Wipe down the casing with an old toothbrush to remove any residue.
  5. After rinsing with water, appreciate your (hopefully successful) work!
phone charging

Conclusion 

In most cases, the procedures listed above should solve your problem of a yellowing phone case. However, the easiest way to avoid it is to buy a case made with anti-yellowing compounds. A well-made case may cost a bit more upfront, but it can help you save money in the long run!

Mobile Shark is the UK’s fastest-growing provider of smartphone cases and accessories, including screen protectors, for well-known brands like Samsung and Apple. We want to provide a flawless purchasing experience and value privacy and security, so we have gone above and beyond to assure the safety of our website. Shop now! 

Arthur Hill
Mobile Writer

Arthur is a senior member of the communications team who has worked at several well-known companies over the past 10 years.  As a writer with many years of experience in the technology sector, focusing on reviewing mobile phones and accessories, he has written about many products or has been hands-on with them at some point

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