How to clean a silicone phone case
Today you will not surprise anyone with the most modern smartphones. Some change them quite often, others are content with phones released a few years ago. However, regardless of the model, in order to extend their "life" and protect the software and the screen from damage from chips, scratches, mechanical damage, you can use a silicone case.
It has a simple design, is installed on the back of the device, firmly adheres to the body of the gadget and reliably protects it.
How to care for your silicone case
Like any “protector” of mobile phones, silicone cases need to be cared for. Do not think that they will invariably retain their appearance. Over time, contamination occurs and they may darken or turn yellow.
Some gadget users throw away the product without regret, but if you know how to clean the silicone case, you can try to restore its attractiveness. In this case, it will protect the smartphone from scratches, chips, minor mechanical damage for a long time to come.
The transparent accessory requires special care. It requires periodic cleaning or washing with mild detergents. At the same time, it is important to understand what cannot be done with it, what cleaning methods are completely unacceptable. These include:
- sandpaper, a stiff brush and a metal brush, which are capable of causing a large amount of damage to the surface of the case, completely "remove" its protective rubber coating, which is used to prevent the gadget from slipping out of the hands;
- knives, scissors, needles and other sharp stabbing and cutting objects that cause scratches and cuts;
- chlorine-containing substances that corrode the surface.
These available tools will help clean the patch, but it will lose its presentable appearance.
Can the silicone phone case be cleaned
Cleaning a silicone transparent surface of any color is not difficult and can be carried out periodically using available tools. It is important to know how and how to clean your phone case.
The easiest way is to use a soapy solution that is evenly spread over the surface with a soft sponge. You can also immerse the product in soapy water, then rinse in cool water and wipe dry.
There are other safe ways to restore your case.
From yellowness
Yellowing is the scourge of transparent and white accessories. The color change is caused by oxidative processes that occur when interacting with natural oxygen. Also, the appearance of yellowness is facilitated by the use of the gadget with sweaty hands.
You can get rid of yellowness if you know how to clean a silicone case in several simple ways, for example, daily surface treatment with wet wipes or washing in soapy water.
But if the accessory has been used for a long time, it may turn yellow "from time to time." Then you will have to say goodbye to it and replace it with a new one.
The cover has darkened
The product may not only turn yellow, but also darken. This process is caused by particles of dust and dirt, "clogging" into the porous structure of the accessory.
Simple operations with it will help to restore freshness and purity.
- If the dirt is light, you can remove dark spots with an eraser.
- Can be washed with a soft washcloth and a soapy solution of any detergent.
- For a more effective result, use laundry soap.
If the silicone surface darkens, you can use refined gasoline or lemon acid for maintenance.
However, these are quite aggressive substances, therefore, it is necessary to handle and apply them with extreme caution and follow the rules and recommendations:
- for a safe procedure, it is worth using rubber gloves;
- when working, you need to free up space so that nothing interferes with its conduct;
- remove food products;
- do not trust the cleaning of children.
This cleaning method is most effective for tough stains and stubborn stains.
Ink marks
For office workers, students and schoolchildren, you can often see traces of a ballpoint pen or felt-tip pen on silicone covers. They give the product a messy look, so many owners often change the protective cover without bothering to clean it.
However, getting rid of ink streaks is easy:
- clean them with alcohol-containing liquids;
- use a dish detergent;
- clean with an eraser;
- use a solution of laundry soap in water.
Glue traces
Today on the market you can find various types of glue: stationery, PVA, carpentry, latex and others. Adhesive contamination is not so frequent, but it is not so easy to free the gadget pads from the glue residues, but it is possible; will help in this matter:
- alcohol or acetone;
- various oils;
- vinegar;
- baking soda;
- exposure to hot air or cold.
How can you clean the cover
Various substances can be used to tidy up the protective pad, most of which are not difficult to find in a kitchen cabinet or closet. But to get a positive result, you need to know how to properly clean the transparent silicone case from yellowness.
A complicated procedure is not required, but you need to know what features they have in order for the cleaning to be most effective and not lead to deformations.
Soda
Every kitchen has a bag of baking soda. It can be used to clean the silicone pad by:
- make soda gruel with the addition of water;
- cover the entire surface or the most contaminated area;
- rinse with clean water and wipe dry.
If the accessory is heavily soiled, the applied solution must be allowed to stand for 30-60 minutes until it dries.
Nail polish remover
Some people consider nail polish remover to be an effective stain remover. But, before using it, it is important to choose the most gentle, acetone-free composition. It must be used with great care: put on gloves, moisten the sponge, quickly and carefully handle the contaminated area.
Attention! The solution cannot be kept on the surface for a long time, otherwise the cover may become completely unusable.
In order not to deprive the device of protection, before using the liquid, you need to try its effect on a small area of the product and make sure that it will ruin the case.
Alcohol
It is not recommended to use pure alcohol composition: it can destroy the structure of the product. Ethyl alcohol will be especially "caustic". However, if it is decided to use an alcoholic compound, the solution must be applied to a napkin, then wipe the dirty surface and rinse with water.
Alcohol wipes are considered a safer and more effective option.
To remove traces of markers ink, it is recommended to mix alcohol and water in equal proportions and soak the stained case for 10-15 minutes. After that, rub the problem areas with a sponge.
Bleach
Bleach and stain removers can be used to remove yellowness and darkening. But you need to use them with great care, and only if other methods do not give the desired results.
They cannot be used for the treatment of colored surfaces, the paint of which will be destroyed. They are only suitable for white and transparent bumpers.
Working with formulations requires the use of rubber gloves. Cleaning should be carried out using a small amount of the product, which is "typed" on the sponge and wipe the case.
Important! If the composition contains chlorine, it is worth being away from such a remedy.
Toothpaste
Home craftsmen have experimentally determined that toothpaste can restore the original shine and cleanliness without the addition of dyes and abrasive elements.
This is a mild product that is applied to a dirty surface, after which you need to:
- rub it carefully into the porous surface of the cover;
- withstand the composition for 20 to 40 minutes;
- dip in warm water and rinse well.
If the desired result is not obtained, you will have to bleach again.
Lemon juice
You can clean the transparent silicone case with vinegar, but the safest and no less effective is to use lemon juice. It restores the transparency and shine of the protective coating.
Lemon juice is suitable for cleaning high quality products made from modern durable materials. Cheap products are thin, therefore, under the influence of lemon juice, they can become cracked, which will cause even more damage.
Granular citric acid is also suitable for processing. It is necessary to dilute with water in the proportion: 1 tsp. in a glass of water.
How to whiten a white case
Whitening can be performed on transparent or white silicone smartphone pads. Depending on the degree of pollution, various substances are used, the acquisition and use of which is not difficult, among them:
- toothpaste, without dyes and "hard" additives;
- alcohol-containing liquids;
- soda solution.
Restoration of white color and transparency is possible with lemon juice. To check if the silicone case will be damaged by cleaning
substances, you need to conduct a kind of test on a small area of the product, which will show the possibility of their use.
The use of chlorine-containing preparations, as well as acetone, gasoline, substances with the addition of an abrasive is undesirable.
How to care for your matte silicone case
Among the covers made of silicone, which are generally produced in a glossy version, fashionable matte overlays are a separate group. In terms of their protective qualities, they are in no way inferior to transparent, soft and practical, they look spectacular.But their “dullness” is their only difference from their glossy counterparts.
They effectively protect devices, but, like glossy ones, they turn yellow, darken, and get dirty. Cleaning methods and care rules are identical.
Preventive cleaning
To extend the life of the silicone cover, you need to keep it clean, and for this you need to know how to wash the silicone cover.
Prevention of contamination is necessary, expressed in periodic washing of the cover with warm soapy water. As a detergent, you can take any dishwashing detergent, shampoo, or liquid soap.
Video: how to whiten a smartphone case
