TOP 17 methods to quickly whiten yellowed plastic at home
Plastic is used to make various items. This material, under the influence of the external environment, eventually loses its original shine and turns yellow. Most often, similar problems arise with light-colored products. There are several options to solve the problem of bleaching yellowed plastic yourself. It is recommended to choose a method based on the characteristics of the reason that caused the color change.
Why does it turn yellow?
There are several reasons for the yellowing of plastic products:
- Sun exposure;
- drop in temperature;
- using inappropriate cleaning products;
- flower of grease and soot.
Often, a bloom of yellowness on plastic products is due to the fact that low-quality materials were used in the manufacture of products.
Also, the unfavorable conditions should be attributed to the reasons for the color change. In particular, plastic windows located near highways acquire this shade.
sunlight
Prolonged contact with ultraviolet radiation contributes to the formation of yellowing on the plastic. To prevent this, benzotriazole and benzophenone are added to the material during the manufacture of products.
Sudden changes in temperature
Due to a sharp change in ambient temperature, microscopic defects appear in the plastic, through which the coloring matter evaporates.
Wrong choice of cleaning agents
Cleaning plastic products with alkaline or acidic products causes yellow stains to appear on the surface. Contact with a solvent has similar consequences.
grease and soot
Usually grease settles on plastic, which remains in the kitchen for a long time. Soot accumulates more often when products are located in a house where people constantly smoke or near highways.
Poor quality material
Non-compliance by the manufacturer with the rules for the manufacture of plastic products (violation of technology, use of cheap raw materials, etc.) leads to early yellowing of the material, regardless of external conditions.
How to make white color in plastic?
Often you can restore the former whiteness of the plastic using tools that can be found around the house. If the yellowing cannot be eliminated on the first try, the procedure must be repeated.
laundry soap
Laundry soap removes yellowness caused by fatty deposits. To restore the previous color, you will need to finely grate a block. Then you need to fill the soap with 200 milliliters of heated water. The resulting mixture should be applied evenly to the yellowed areas and left for 30 minutes. After the expiration of the specified period, the plastic should be rubbed with a brush, and the remaining foam should be removed with a rag.
Ethanol
This product helps to reduce the yellowing of the material caused by sun exposure. Before the procedure, it is recommended to treat a small surface of the plastic product with alcohol and check whether this liquid is harmful to the material. After removing stains, it is recommended to wash the material with clean water.
washing powder and soda
To eliminate yellowness, you need to mix:
- 500 milliliters of heated water;
- a tablespoon of baking soda;
- a tablespoon of powder.
This mixture is applied to problem areas and left for 6 hours, then washed off.
Car cosmetics
Automotive plastic cleaners can remove stubborn dirt, including yellow stains. It is necessary to process plastic products with automotive cosmetics, in accordance with the product instructions.
Computer wipes
These wipes are impregnated with a mixture that corrodes grease and other contaminants. Therefore, these products are used to clean plastic.
Hydrogen peroxide
This composition whitens various materials. The agent should be applied to a rag, and then treated with a yellowed surface. It will take up to four of these procedures to restore whiteness.
Acetone
Acetone is rarely used, and usually as a replacement for other bleaching compositions. This tool is not recommended for processing low-quality plastic.To restore yellowed plastic, simply wipe the problem areas with a cotton ball soaked in acetone.
Chlorinated products
Chlorine is distinguished by its aggressive effect, thanks to which it eliminates, among other things, old pollution. Whitener or another similar remedy helps remove yellowing from plastic. If necessary, liquids containing chlorine can be left for a few minutes and then rinsed with water.
Spray paint
If yellowness appears due to microcracks, then the described means are not able to remove these spots. In such cases, it is recommended to paint over the problem areas using spray paint of the appropriate shade.
Chalk tooth powder
To remove yellow stains, you will need to mix a tablespoon of crushed chalk and the same amount of toothpowder. After that, you need to add water to the composition to achieve the formation of a pasty mass. The resulting mixture should then be applied to the yellow spots, left for 15 minutes and rinsed off.
Citric acid with chlorine
To whiten plastic, you need to mix both substances in equal proportions. The resulting composition should be applied to problem areas, left for half an hour and rinsed with water.
Special remedies for recovery
Various store products, produced in the form of sprays, help to eliminate yellowing of plastic. Also for these purposes, you can use wipes soaked in chlorine.
Bleach
In addition to whitener, other chlorine-containing products are used to bleach plastics.
How to clean at home?
When choosing a suitable method for restoring plastic, it is necessary to establish the cause of yellowing of the surface.This approach allows you to find an effective remedy.
Yellow plaque and grease
A mixture of 100 milliliters of vinegar and 300 milliliters of water successfully copes with such stains. With this composition, you need to process problem surfaces and leave for 10 minutes. After that, you need to wipe the yellow spots with a sponge and rinse the plastic with a damp cloth.
Soot and dirt
A pasty mixture of soda and water helps get rid of soot. After application, this composition should be kept on the problem plastic for several hours, after which it should be washed off with a damp sponge. When applying, the paste should not be rubbed, otherwise scratches will remain on the surface. This mixture not only eliminates yellowness, but also eliminates unpleasant odors.
Tape and glue
Alcohol, glass cleaner, mineral spirits, and glue remover can help remove yellowed stains left by glue or tape.
Absolute alcohol
To remove traces of superglue, you need to moisten a cotton swab in undiluted alcohol and apply to the problem area, leaving it for a few minutes. As soon as the composition becomes soft, the remaining dirt is scraped off with a silicone spatula.
Wiper
It is recommended to use the glass cleaner immediately after the glue has settled on the plastic. This product should also be left on for a few minutes after application.
white spirit
The liquid is used to remove glue residue. You need to moisten a cotton swab or cloth with white spirit and wipe off any dirt.
Anti-glue
This remedy helps get rid of stubborn stains. Cured superglue can be cleaned with glue remover.
Marker and pen
Water-based marker marks can be cleaned with a sponge and a mixture of water and laundry soap. It is recommended to use acetone or alcohol to remove stains from permanent marker and pen.
Care and prevention
To avoid yellowing of plastic products, it is recommended not to smoke indoors and to clean the equipment regularly with soapy water. It is also necessary to exclude contact with direct sunlight.
can't use
To restore the previous color of the plastic, you can not use a number of products, after which scratches remain on the surface.
Formulations with abrasive particles
These formulations primarily include powdered cleansers.
Stiff bristle brushes
Even after a single contact of the brush with such bristles, scratches remain on the surface of the plastic, which destroy the material.
Melamine sponge
Melamine sponges are recommended for cleaning hard surfaces only.
Sharp objects
Knives, forks and other sharp objects will also scratch the plastic.
Cannot be washed in hot water
Contact with hot water tends to yellow the plastic. Therefore, it is recommended to use heated liquids for surface treatment at home.
Use of special aerosols
In order to avoid the formation of scratches, it is recommended to periodically treat plastic products with special sprays (polish), which form a protective film on the surface.