How To Combat the Yellowing of Your iPhone Case

Why are clear smartphone cases so popular?

A transparent, plastic case provides adequate protection while still showing off the sleek, just-out-of-the-box look of your smartphone. We get it: clear cases are a great choice.

However, when clear, even the best iPhone XR case can let you down. A transparent case may turn a dull or cloudy yellow over time, adding a sickly sheen to your smartphone. Yikes! Why does this happen?

Below, we’ll learn all about the science behind this curious color change. We’ll also cover common fixes and tips. Let us guide you through cleaning and maintaining your clear smartphone case.

Why Do Clear Smartphone Cases Turn Yellow?

Most clear cases are manufactured using flexible silicone — a material that’s easy to work with and inexpensive.

The problem: The polymer naturally yellows with age. The change is natural and can be sped up by exposure to heat and light. UV rays, in particular, can be very damaging.

Commercially available cleaning solutions and even your natural skin oils can accelerate the hue progression, too. Ever wonder why your iPhone case looks more discolored and feels more degraded in places where you’re always resting your fingers? Now you know.

To summarize: Yellowing is part of silicone’s normal wear and tear. It’s often a photochemical change, which is very hard to come back from. Even if you make drastic changes to your smartphone usage habits, you can’t prevent it from happening eventually.

How Do You Reduce Yellowing on a Clear Phone Case?

Minimize the chances of getting your phone dirty. Wash your hands often. This will keep you from transferring dirt and oil to your clear case.

It may also be a good idea to pop your phone in a separate pouch before putting it in your bag or pocket to minimize contact with other objects. If stain-inducing materials get on it — perhaps an errant drop of pasta sauce or an accidental blot of a skincare product — wipe down your clear case immediately.

Surface clean your clear case regularly. Mix a few drops of dish soap from your kitchen with about a cup of warm water. Use a soft and non-abrasive cloth to gently wipe away the grime in small and circular motions. Rinse with cool water and air dry.

You may repeat this several times in a row if you wish. Soaking the case in the soapy water for about an hour before rinsing off may also help. If you’re in a hurry, you may pat the clear case dry with another soft cloth.

Deep clean to get rid of stubborn stains. Make a spreadable paste using baking soda and water. Apply this all over the clear case and wait for it to dry. You may want to leave it overnight. Rinse off and allow to completely dry before putting it back on your phone.

Note: To maximize the effect of baking soda, some may advise you to scrub the surface of the clear case with an old toothbrush or even a scouring pad. We do not recommend this as microabrasions may add to the dullness of the transparent material.

Alternative cleaners: isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, or white vinegar. Check with your phone case manufacturer, if you can, before using any of these household acids or commercially available plastic cleaners. Using some of these may cause irreparable damage or void the warranty of the item.

Is It Worth Cleaning or Should You Get a New Phone Case Instead?

Whether it’s a cheap protector or one of the best iPhone XR cases on the market today, when your smartphone accessory starts to turn yellow, there’s little you can do to reverse the process.

If the change in hue is faint, you may lengthen the usable lifespan with consistent cleaning. The tips above are specifically for this purpose. It’s up to you to decide when the yellowing has gone too far to keep on using your clear case.

When deciding to use stronger cleaning agents, be prepared to have to replace your phone case completely. A bad reaction can damage the material further and make it duller, more brittle, or rubberier. Instead of looking for DIY solutions, consider contacting the phone case manufacturer for a replacement — particularly if the item is still under warranty.

Bottom line: If you don’t mind a little discoloration, by all means, keep cleaning your clear case until you have the means to replace it. However, if you’re a stickler for that transparent look, you’re better off buying a brand-new phone case.

Resources— HowToCleanStuff, Lifehacks Stack Exchange, Hunker

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