Have you ever found yourself staring at your phone and suddenly the shine of your clear case has completely disappeared, replaced by an annoying yellowish toneBefore you rush out to buy a new cover, there are multiple methods and tips to restore a clean and shiny appearance of your case, as well as detailed explanations of why this phenomenon occurs and how to prevent it. In this article, you'll find a comprehensive, step-by-step guide that includes the best home remedies, recommended products, necessary warnings, and, of course, the exact reasons why your case ends up changing color.
Learn how to clean and maintain your clear case, and what to do if yellowing persists despite your efforts.
Why do clear cases turn yellow?
El yellowing of transparent mobile phone cases It is one of the most common problems affecting this type of accessories, and it occurs in both economical cases and some mid-range ones. The main reason is in the material with which these covers are made, usually silicone or thermoplastic urethane (TPU), both flexible, shock-resistant materials that are very popular due to their low price and because they allow you to show off the phone's original design.
However, these materials present a porous composition and are not completely transparent by default. Most cases start out as a slightly yellowish tint, but manufacturers add bluish or transparent tints to achieve the crystalline effect. However, over time and due to the action of Sunlight, ultraviolet radiation, heat from the device and continuous rubbing of hands (which contribute oils and sweat), the cover begins to degrade and lose that effect.
In addition, factors such as leaving the cover in a hot car, exposing it to high temperatures, contact with harsh chemicals or cleaners, as well as everyday grease and dirt, accelerate this process. As if that weren't enough, the aging of the material itself, even if you clean your cover frequently, ends up altering the internal structure of the polymer, which makes it impossible to completely restore the "newly purchased" look.
How to Clean a Yellowed Clear Case: Effective Methods and Warnings
Before we begin, it is important to clarify that No homemade method can guarantee that the case will recover its original transparency 100% if the material is already degraded.. However, you can significantly improve its appearance, remove dirt and disinfect it. Always Remove the case from your phone before starting any cleaning..
1. Basic cleaning with warm water and soap
- Ideal for lightly soiled or recently yellowed covers.
- Prepare a container with warm water and a few drops of neutral liquid soap or dish soap. Make foam, but do not heat too much so as not to deform the cover.
- Use a soft scourer or an old toothbrush to scrub the entire surface, paying special attention to nooks, corners and holes.
- Rinse thoroughly with water and dry with kitchen paper or a lint-free cloth.
- Wait at least an hour before putting the case back on your phone, making sure it's completely dry.
2. Method with baking soda and lemon (whitening paste)
- Mixture a tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of lemon juice or warm water until a thick paste forms.
- Apply the mixture over the entire cover, rubbing with a toothbrush or soft sponge for a few minutes.
- Let the paste act 30 to 60 minutes.
- Rinse very well and dry the cover as before.
- This solution helps remove grease and stains, as well as deodorize the cover.
3. The power of white vinegar
- Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and helps remove embedded dirt residue.
- Mixture equal parts white cleaning vinegar and warm water in a bowl.
- Insert the cover during one to two hoursIf you wish, you can add a teaspoon of baking soda.
- Scrub with a toothbrush, rinse and dry well.
4. Isopropyl alcohol for deep cleaning
- Especially useful when the case has accumulated a lot of dirt or oily residue.
- Soak a cloth in microfibre or cotton with a little bit of isopropyl alcohol (Do not use conventional alcohol as it may damage the material or discolor it.)
- Wipe the cloth over the entire cover (inside and outside), paying particular attention to the stained areas.
- Dry with a clean cloth before replacing it in the device.
5. Cleaning with bleach (only for severe cases and with caution)
- Bleach is the whitener par excellence, but its Improper use may damage the case. Only use this method on thick, quality cases.
- Mixture one part bleach to three parts water (you can add a smaller amount if you prefer, never more bleach than water).
- Usa cleaning gloves to prevent skin damage.
- Insert the cover for a maximum of 20 to 30 minutes. Do not exceed this time.
- Scrub the cover (if necessary) with a soft scouring pad or brush and rinse with plenty of soap and water.
- Dry completely. Overuse of bleach can make the case dull, stiff, or crack over time.
6. Combination trick: toothpaste, salt, soap and vinegar
- There are viral methods on networks like TikTok that combine toothpaste, a little salt, a few drops of vinegar and soap.
- Cover it well, scrub with a brush and let it sit for a while. 15 and 25 minutes. Then, rinse and dry.
- It doesn't usually work miracles, but it can improve the appearance if the cover is not too damaged.
7. Professional method: high volume hydrogen peroxide
- Commonly used to whiten aged plastics on consoles or appliances.
- Only for extreme cases, you need 40-volume hydrogen peroxide cream, gloves, brush and transparent film.
- Apply the whitening cream, wrap the pillowcase and leave it in the sun for several hours. Rinse well afterwards.
- Warning: May cause burns if not handled carefully.
8. Magic scouring pad or stain eraser
- Ideal for quick touch-ups.
- Dampen it slightly and rub the most stained areas.
- It's not miraculous, but it helps remove surface dirt.
Can you really remove 100% of the yellow from the case?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions. The truth is that The yellowish color that a transparent case acquires is not a simple superficial stain as many think, but the result of a chemical degradation of the material caused by the sun, heat, and polymer aging. Therefore, while the above tricks help the case look cleaner, disinfected, and even slightly lighten its tone, it's difficult to get it back to that crystal-clear appearance of the first day.
Most home products and methods work only on grease, skin oils, dirt or small stains, but They cannot reverse internal oxidation and yellowing of the material.Even professional methods such as hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen peroxide often have limited effect on mobile phone cases.
If you are looking for perfect transparency and the case has completely lost its original color, the most effective long-term option will be the replacement with a new oneHowever, regular cleaning will keep the cover more hygienic and presentable for much longer.
How to prevent yellowing of clear cases
- Avoid direct sunlight: Do not expose the cover to sunlight for long periods of time or leave it near windows or inside a car in direct sunlight.
- Keep away from heat sources: The heat from the battery and the interior environment itself accelerate the oxidation process.
- Periodic cleaning: Wash the cover at least once a week with water and neutral soap.
- Do not abuse aggressive products: Avoid strong bleaches, solvents, or industrial cleaning products unless strictly necessary.
- Avoid constant contact with creams, oils or alcohol: Some lotions and cosmetic products may adversely affect the material.
- Use higher quality covers: Cases made of premium materials, such as premium thermoplastic urethane (TPU) or UV-treated cases, are more resistant to yellowing.
- Do not always keep the case in your pocket: Sweat and body heat also affect your condition.
Other alternatives: which case should I choose if I hate yellow?
If yellowing is unacceptable to you and you prefer to avoid this problem in the future, there are very practical alternatives:
- Opaque silicone covers: They will not show yellowing and are usually just as hardy.
- Rigid transparent plastic cases (PC or polycarbonate): They withstand the passage of time better, although they can become scratched.
- TPU cases with smoked or tinted finish: Translucent covers, with a grayish or colored finish, better conceal the color change.
- Covers with extra UV protection: Some premium brands offer materials with anti-yellowing treatment.
Frequently asked questions about caring for clear cases
- Can I damage the cover if I use bleach, bleach or alcohol? If you use these products in the correct proportions and don't exceed the recommended time, you'll rarely cause serious damage. However, with low-quality covers, excessive exposure can make the material brittle.
- How often should I clean my case? Ideally, you should do this at least once a week if you want to delay yellowing and prevent the buildup of germs and dirt.
- Does the trick of leaving the cover in the sun with hydrogen peroxide work? It is a popular method for old white plastics, but on transparent mobile phone cases the effect is limited and does not always restore the initial transparency.
- Is it better to change the cover when it is already yellow? If you've tried several methods and the case is still dull or stiff, it's best to replace it. An aging case can lose its shock-absorbing properties.
- What type of case lasts the longest without yellowing? The covers of polycarbonate, premium TPU or with tinted finishes and UV protection They last longer. Cheap silicone cases change color more quickly.
Clear phone cases, no matter how clean, eventually yellow due to the nature of their materials and daily use. Regular maintenance and choosing the right cleaning products and methods can extend the life of your case and maintain your phone's appearance for much longer. While there are no miracle solutions that will completely restore factory clarity, applying the tips and methods detailed helps delay deterioration and reduce the buildup of dirt and germs. If yellowing eventually takes over, consider investing in a higher-quality case or alternative materials that won't suffer from this process.
It's not because of the sweat that they turn yellow… it's just because of the type of material. I sell shells and some that are transparent and have been in the same bag for a long time for sale, just as in the past they have turned yellowish. In fact even some old toys that have changed their tonality (which are ornaments, so that they do not think that it is because the children have played and they got like that) ... it is the type of plastic in which they are made what they achieve with the time they turn yellow
They turn yellow due to the material itself, which degrades certain components with the mere passage of time and exposure to light, nothing to do with what the article says.
Needless to say, of the solutions listed, not even the first will work.
To whiten old plastics that have turned yellow or 40-volume hydrogen peroxide is usually used, smearing the paste on the object in kitchen wrap and leaving it in the sun for a few hours.
In this case it will not work because it is made of soft silicone and the only thing we are going to achieve is to soften and melt the case due to its exposure to the sun, this method is only recommended for hard plastic objects.
Come on, scratch your pocket, I'll buy you another cover and don't waste time with useless methods