Have you ever purchased a stylish, clear phone case, only for it to yellow after a few months? It’s frustrating, right? You invest time finding the perfect case to show off your phone’s design, only for it to start becoming discoloured and make your phone look unattractive. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. And there are things you can do to restore your phone case to its once clear and beautiful state. Whether you need to fix a case that’s already turned yellow or you want to prevent it from happening in the future, this guide is for you.
How to Remove Yellowing from a Clear Phone Case?
The good news is that you have more than one option to restore your clear phone case. There are several different things you can do, and I’m going to share with you some practical techniques you can try at home.
1. Baking Soda and Water
Baking soda is a little powerhouse when it comes to cleaning. It’s excellent for cleaning things with tough stains, like yellowing on a clear phone case.
- Mix: Combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 cup of warm water in a small container.
- Soak: Take off your case and let it soak in the mixture for about 30 minutes.
- Rinse and Dry: Once soaked, rinse the case thoroughly with warm water and dry it with a soft cloth.
This method can work wonders for mild to moderate yellowing.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is another great option, but know that can weaken the case material over time. Especially if it’s a silicone case.
- Submerge: Place the yellowed case into a bowl and pour enough hydrogen peroxide to completely cover the case.
- Soak: Let the case soak in the hydrogen peroxide for about 30 minutes.
- Rinse and Dry: After it has soaked, rinse your case with a little warm water and then wipe it down with a soft cloth.
This works really well especially for heavy discoloration just remember because of the harsh effect don’t over do it.
3. Toothpaste
Toothpaste is abrasive enough to buff away that first layer of yellowing without hurting your case.
- Apply: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to apply toothpaste onto the yellowed sections of your case.
- Scrub: Gently scrub for about two minutes.
- Rinse and Dry: Rinse the case thoroughly and dry it with a soft cloth.
This method is especially good for spot treatment and you can repeat it as needed.
4. Dish Soap
For a gentler, everyday cleaner, dish soap can work wonders.
- Mix: Combine a few drops of dish soap with warm water in a small bowl.
- Scrub: Use a toothbrush or soft cloth to gently scrub both the interior and exterior of the case.
- Rinse and Dry: Make sure you rinse your case thoroughly and let it air dry.
Cleaning regularly with this dish soap can prevent buildup and slow down the effect of the yellowing over time.
Keep Your Case Clear for Longer
Now that you know how to clean your yellowed case, you’re probably wondering why it happens in the first place, and more importantly, how to prevent it from happening again.
Why Do Clear Cases Turn Yellow So Fast?
Several factors contribute to the rapid yellowing of clear phone cases. Let’s explore the most common causes:
- UV Light Exposure: One of the main culprits behind yellowing is ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. When your eyeglasses are exposed to sunlight, the chemical bonds in the case material start to break down. This breakdown means the polymer chains gets shorter, creating a yellowish color.
- Heat: Both environmental heat and the warmth from handling your phone can accelerate the chemical breakdown of your case, especially for silicone-based materials. Soft plastics will yellow faster than harder plastics.
- Natural Oils and Sweat: Every time you handle your phone, oils and sweat from your skin end up on the case. Over time these oils build up and contribute to the yellowing process.
While it’s impossible to completely avoid these factors, there are steps you can take to minimize their effects.
What Are the Best Methods to Prevent a Clear Phone Case from Turning Yellow in the Future?
Prevention is key when it comes to keeping your clear phone case looking fresh. Here are some practical tips:
- Limit Sun Exposure: The best way to avoid UV-related yellowing is to keep your phone out of direct sunlight. When you’re outside, keep your phone in your pocket, bag, or under a little bit of shade to reduce UV exposure.
- Avoid Sweat and Oils: If you’re somebody who’s handling your phone a lot, especially after you’ve worked out or during the summer months, be thinking about your hands. Wipe your phone case on a regular basis with a soft cloth or damp wipe to remove those oils.
- Prevent Overheating: Don’t leave your phone in hot environments, like being in the car during the summer, or keep it on surfaces that give off heat. Also think about using cooling phone chargers that reduce the heat output in the charge your electronic devices.
- Regular Cleaning: Get into the practice of cleaning your phone case on a regular basis. A simple wipe down with some mild soap, or a mixture of baking soda and water, will help a lot in keeping the clarity of it up.
- Store Properly: Put your phone in a cool, dry location when you’re not using it. Don’t leave it out in direct sunlight or in heat for long periods of time.
By doing those things, you’re going to prolong the lifespan of your phone case and keep it looking transparent.
How Long Does a Clear Phone Case Last?
Clear phone cases usually start to yellow from regular use within 30 to 90 days. This can differ and change depending on a few things like the quality of the material, how much UV exposure the case has seen, and how often you’ve cleaned it. Cheaper silicone-type cases get that ugly yellow color pretty quick compared to the clear polycarbonate rigid cases.
Honestly, though, pretty much all clear cases will eventually turn yellow over time. If you are someone who is kind of bent out of shape about the yellowing, it’s probably best to invest in a higher-end, cooler product that is made to resist that type of stuff.
What Clear Case Material Won’t Turn Yellow?
Different clear phone cases are made out of different materials. This means that some materials are much more resistant to yellowing than others. Here are a few that I know of, or that seem to come up:
- Polycarbonate Cases: Polycarbonate is a highly durable, rigid material that resists yellowing. You can find products like the Apple Clear Case and ESR Krystec Clear Case that resist yellowing.
- Specialty Materials: ICASEO seems to have some sort of technology that they call their UV Defender. This is supposed to stop the whole yellowing issue from sunlight and all that. Do note that I don’t know if these provide military-grade protection from repeated drops.
- Unique Blends: Some brands use a polycarbonate blend mixed with TPU and add an anti-aging additive in the manufacturing process that’s supposed to prevent the discoloration.
Any of these materials you can get will help you avoid the yellow happening even with regular use.
Conclusion
Keeping your clear phone case from turning yellow can seem like a battle you’re going to lose, but with a few key tricks, you can significantly slow the process down. It doesn’t matter if you choose baking soda and hydrogen peroxide or if you go with a high-quality polycarbonate case. Treat your case with care, protect it from sunlight, and remember to keep it clean to enjoy a case that looks like you just got it out of the package.
