Clear phone cases look sleek and stylish when new, but over time they can turn yellow and look dirty. This yellowing occurs due to oxidation, exposure to dirt, grease, sweat, and other contaminants. The good news is you can often clean and restore a yellowed clear case to look crystal clear once again.
Why Do Clear Cases Turn Yellow?
There are a few key reasons clear phone cases end up discolored and yellow over time:
- Oxidation - Plastic oxidizes when exposed to oxygen, heat, and light, causing it to degrade and turn yellow. This affects clear case materials like TPU, silicone, plastic, and polycarbonate over time.
- Oil & Grease - Skin oils, hair products, and grease from your fingers and face get transferred to your phone case every time you pick up your phone. These contaminants soak into the case.
- Sweat & Moisture - Sweat and moisture degrades plastics, and can get trapped between your phone and case. Over time, this causes yellow staining.
- Dirt, Dust & Debris - Environmental contaminants floating in the air also settle into your case. Dirt and dust particles then get lodged in crevices.
- UV Exposure - Over exposure to sunlight and UV rays degrades and discolors clear phone case materials. Keeping your phone shaded helps prevent this.
Knowing the root causes of yellowing empowers you to try to prevent it. But when your case inevitably does turn yellow, this guide will equip you to clean it.
Cleaning Supplies You’ll Need
Before getting started cleaning your yellowed clear phone case, gather the following supplies:
- Distilled white vinegar
- Baking soda
- Lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide (optional)
- Warm water
- Mild dish soap
- An old toothbrush
- Microfiber cloth
- Tweezers (optional)
With the basics covered, let’s explore methods and techniques to clean your case...
How to Clean Clear Silicone Cases
Silicone offers durability, protection and grip - ideal traits for phone cases. But it readily absorbs skin oils. Here’s how to clean them:
Step 1 - Rinse With Warm Water
Rinse your silicone case under warm running water while scrubbing gently with your fingers. This washes away loose dirt and debris.
Step 2 - Mix a Vinegar-Baking Soda Solution
In a bowl or cup, stir together equal parts distilled white vinegar and baking soda until dissolved into a frothy paste. This mixture bubbles away grime.
Step 3 - Scrub With a Toothbrush
Working in sections, use an old toothbrush to scrub the paste all over the case. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then scrub again to lift staining from crevices.
Step 4 - Rinse & Dry
Rinse away vinegar solution under warm water. Pat dry with a microfiber cloth. Allow to fully air dry before replacing phone.
How to Clean Hard Plastic/Polycarbonate Cases
Hard plastic phone cases can also turn yellow over time. Here is an effective cleaning method:
Step 1 - Diluted Vinegar Soak
Fill a bowl with warm water and mix in 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Submerge case and let soak 10-15 minutes. This helps loosen yellow grime.
Step 2 - Dish Soap & Toothbrush Scrub
Remove case from vinegar bath, shake off excess liquid and apply a few drops of mild dish soap. Use a toothbrush to scrub entire surface, concentrating on stained areas.
Step 3 - Tweezer Debris Removal
Use tweezers to remove any debris lodged in cracks and crevices in the case. This step is optional but helps thoroughly clean.
Step 4 - Rinse & Dry
Rinse case under warm running water while scrubbing gently with your fingers. Pat dry with a microfiber cloth. Allow to fully air dry before replacing phone.
How to Keep Your Case Clear
Once you’ve cleaned your yellowed clear phone case, you’ll want to keep it looking pristine as long as possible. Follow these tips:
- Wipe down your case daily with a microfiber cloth to prevent buildup of fingerprints and oils
- Avoid applying lotions or sitting with greasy fingers before handling your phone
- Use a UV-resistant clear case for prolonged sun exposure situations
- Clean your phone case regularly using methods in this article
- Consider periodically replacing your case over time as materials degrade
Following preventative measures helps, but most clear cases will eventually show staining. Refer back to these cleaning tricks to keep that sleek transparent style going strong.