How To Clean A Clear Phone Case

February 4, 2022

How To Clean A Clear Phone Case

Phone cover in Clear

It is easy to see the appeal of a clear phone cover. After spending hundreds, sometimes thousands, of pounds on a new phone, the last thing you want to do is cover it up with a bulky phone cover. Clear phone cover allow you to show off your new device whilst still providing the necessary protection from bumps and scratches.

However, clear phone covers are notorious for yellowing over time and looking dull from exposure to UV light and the elements. Unlike coloured phone covers, clear phone cases show their wear and tear much more quickly, but that doesn't mean there aren't steps you can take to revive your cover.

According to research, mobile phones and phone covers carry ten times more bacteria than toilet seats. This came after a study found more than 17,000 bacterial gene copies on the phones they tested. So, with these concerning statistics in mind, in this article, we will be exploring how to clean a silicone phone cover, how to clean phone covers that have either turned yellow or brown, as well as steps to deep clean your cover.

How to clean a silicone phone case

Silicone phone covers are popular phone case choices for their durability, ergonomic design, and design variety. That being said, just like any phone case, they must be regularly cleaned as they are prone to carrying harmful germs and bacteria.

In order to keep a silicone phone cover clean, it will require you to not only clean but disinfect. Start by wiping both the inside and outside of the case down with a disinfectant wipe, being sure to pay close attention to the inner corners. The rubbing alcohol should help to clear up any lingering germs, but if wipes aren't available, you can also use isopropyl alcohol with a soft cloth.

Once the cover has been thoroughly wiped down, you must leave it to completely dry before placing your phone back inside.

If you have noticed more stubborn stains, using dish soap, warm water, and a toothbrush can often help to remove lingering dirt. The dish soap will help cut through any dirt and grease stuck to the surface, but usually you will only have to do so every couple of months.

How to clean a clear phone case that has turned yellow or brown?

Before we delve into the methods of cleaning a clear phone cover, it is first important to understand what causes clear phone covers to turn yellow and, in some cases, dark brown. In most instances, clear phone covers are made from the polymer silicone because it is both inexpensive and very versatile as a material. However, as the polymers age, they begin to turn yellow, and it is a process that quickens when exposed to UV light, heat, and other pollutants in everyday life.

If they are left too long without proper cleaning, they may eventually turn brown, especially if they are exposed to oil absorption from sweat and lotions. Unfortunately, the yellowing is a part of the material breaking down rather than staining, but that doesn't mean there aren't ways of delaying this discolouration.

Here we have some tips that will help your clear phone case stay clean and, most importantly, clear for as long as possible:

One of the best ways to clean your phone cover is with simple, everyday dish soap. Using a toothbrush and a mixture of warm water and dish soap, gently scrub your phone cover from top to bottom. Make sure to work the solution into the inside corners where the most bacteria build up. Once clean, leave the cover face down to fully dry before putting your phone back inside.

Baking soda is known as a cleaning miracle product for all manner of stains, and it is no different with phone covers. Start by sprinkling it over the surface and then working it in with a wet toothbrush. After a few minutes, rinse off the solution and dry the cover with a soft cloth.

Similarly, a mixture of toothpaste and paint thinner is another option that can help to remove yellow staining. Firstly, apply the toothpaste to the cover and gently rub it with an abrasive sponge or steel wool. After a few minutes, rinse it away and apply the paint thinner with steel wool. Once a few minutes have elapsed, rinse it off, and the stains should have faded.

Finally, if the yellow and brown stains are persisting, try disinfecting the cover with rubbing alcohol. Simply soaking the phone in rubbing alcohol for a few minutes should help to lift stubborn stains. Removing any excess liquid with a clean and dry cloth should help the yellowing and keep the cover clean and hygienic.

How to deep clean your phone case

Whether your clear phone cover is made of plastic, silicone, or rubber, it is vital that you regularly deep clean the interior and exterior. Here we will be detailing the best deep cleaning methods for each:

Plastic

Plastic is an incredibly common material used for all kinds of phone covers, including clear ones. It is much more durable than other options and so can survive slightly more abrasive cleaning solutions such as bleach, but it can also benefit from dish soap.

For a deep clean of a clear plastic phone cover, you will need to

Protective gloves

Water

Bleach

An abrasive sponge or a toothbrush

To start, you will need to take the proper precautions, which means ensuring the area you will be cleaning the case is well ventilated. Once you have prepared the space, put on rubber gloves as the bleach can aggravate the skin.

Start by mixing one tablespoon of bleach for every one cup of water, being careful not to spill the bleach directly onto your clear phone cover or any surfaces. Submerge your case into the mixture and leave it for up to 10 minutes. If you can still see stains after this time, consider soaking it for longer whilst scrubbing the stained areas with a sponge or toothbrush. If the stains are persistent in the corners, a toothbrush is a good tool to reach the hard-to-reach spots.

Once you have thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and scrubbed your cover, rinse it in warm water and pat it down with a soft cloth or paper towel. Leave it out to dry for 30 minutes before putting your phone back in. To keep it clean, use a disinfecting wipe each week.

3 Easy ways for How to clean your clear phone case that turned yellow

Method 1: Using Baking Soda and Water

One of the most effective ways to clean a clear phone cover that has turned yellow is by using baking soda and water. Here are the steps: 1. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of warm water in a bowl. 2. Take your clear phone cover off your phone and place it in the bowl with the baking soda mixture. 3. Let the cover soak for about 30 minutes. 4. After 30 minutes, remove the cover from the bowl and rinse it thoroughly with warm water. 5. Dry the cover with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Baking Soda and Water

Method 2: Using Hydrogen Peroxide Another effective way to clean a clear phone cover that has turned yellow is by using hydrogen peroxide. Here are the steps: 1. Take your transparent phone cover off your phone and place it in a bowl. 2. Pour enough hydrogen peroxide over the cover to fully submerge it. 3. Let the case soak for about 30 minutes. 4. After 30 minutes, remove the case from the bowl and rinse it thoroughly with warm water. 5. Dry the case with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Method 3: Using Toothpaste Toothpaste is also an effective way to clean a clear phone case that has turned yellow. Here are the steps: 1. Take your clear phone cover off your phone and place it on a clean surface. 2. Apply toothpaste to the yellowed areas of the cover. 3. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub the toothpaste into the cover for about two minutes. 4. Rinse the cover thoroughly with warm water. 5. Dry the cover with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Toothpaste

Rubber and silicone

The next case materials we will be looking at are rubber and silicone. They are much more delicate than plastic, and so you'll have to take a more gentle approach with a milder cleaner so as not to cause damage. However, having to be more delicate also means you might struggle to give it a thorough deep clean, so it may require multiple attempts depending on your case's condition.

For a deep clean of a clear rubber or silicone cover, you will need to

Dish soap

Water

An abrasive sponge or a toothbrush

Baking soda

Start by adding a small amount of dish soap to a bowl of warm water and gently mixing them together. Once mixed, wet your cloth and toothbrush and begin to scrub the stained areas of your cover, but be sure to wash the entire surface. The toothbrush will be helpful again to get into the hard to reach corners that harbour the most bacteria.

If you still notice dirt and stains lingering after a while, try sprinkling some baking soda on top and rubbing it in with the wet toothbrush head. If there is mainly yellow or brown staining, create a paste from baking soda and water and leave it on the cover for a few minutes before scrubbing.

Once you are happy that you have thoroughly cleaned the entire cover, rinse it thoroughly with warm water and pat it dry with a soft cloth or paper towel. Again, leave the cover to dry for at least 30 minutes before putting your phone back inside. To maintain cleaning, wipe the case down with a disinfecting wipe every week and repeat the deep cleaning method every month.

While many people use hot water to disinfect objects, it is never recommended to use boiling water on plastic, silicone, or rubber phone covers or put them in a dishwasher. The extreme temperature changes are likely to damage and warp your cover beyond repair.

How to Clean A Clear Phone Case and Other Speck Cases

Your phone case does more than just protect your device from drops and bumps. It’s an extension of your personality and personal brand, your go-to accessory that tells the world who you are without having to say a thing. As something we’re constantly holding and showing off, you want your case to look pristine. Make sure oils from lotions and sweat, plus dirt from the daily grind don’t interrupt your flow with a proper cleaning routine. We’ve got you protected against bacteria growth with Microban®, our built-in antimicrobial product protection, but you’ll still want to give your case a re-fresh from time-to-time to keep it looking flawless. How do you clean a clear case? How do you refresh those cases with a matte or soft-touch finish? We’re here to help you. Keep Your Phone cover Clean With DIY Cleaning Tips From Speck There are two different avenues you can take to cleaning your clear phone case, as well as your other covers, and it all boils down to how nasty the cover is.

For small stains and dirt, use dish soap and hot water.
Medium stains and dirt, use isopropyl alcohol.
Tougher stains, use baking soda and an old toothbrush.

Different stains call for different ingredients. But first things first, remove your case from your phone before you start. You don’t want to damage your device (even if you have a water-resistant phone!). How to Clean a Case with Light Stains: Dish Soap and Water

Fill a bowl or sink with hot water and add two drops of dish soap (Dawn or Sunlight work well).
Use a soft cloth or toothbrush to scrub the exterior of your case in a circular motion. Make sure you get the tough-to-reach parts like the interior rings, the camera slot, and the button or charging port-holes.
Rinse and repeat as necessary. If scuffs and marks remain, try using an eraser to rub away imperfections.
Once your case is clean, dry with a soft cloth and let it sit to air dry for 1-2 hours before putting it back on your phone.

How To Clean a Case with Medium Stains: Isopropyl Alcohol Note: If you have a Speck CandyShell, Presidio Clear, Stay-Clear, or Perfect-Clear case, we do not recommend using isopropyl alcohol as it could cause damage to your cover and void your warranty.

Pour small amounts of the isopropyl alcohol onto a soft cloth and begin to scrub your phone cover. Make sure you’re getting the hard-to-reach places (like the edges of the cover) where dirt and grime like to hide. The alcohol should remove the more difficult stains and build up.
Once you’re done with the case’s exterior and interior, take a soft dry cloth and wipe down the cover until you’ve removed any leftover alcohol. Your case should feel dry to the touch.
Let the cover dry for 1-2 hours before you put it back on your phone.

How to Clean a Case with Tough Stains: Baking Soda

Cover cover or particular stains with a small amount of baking soda
Take a soft-bristled toothbrush and wet the bristles. Once it’s saturated, scrub any tough marks and stains on the cover. Get those hard-to-reach places (edges and corners) where dirt and grime like to hide. The baking soda should remove the harder to fight stains and dirt.
Rinse and wipe off any leftover baking soda with a clean, soft cloth. After you’ve finished cleaning the cover, let dry for 1-2 hours before you put it back on your phone.

When it comes to how to clean a clear cover, we recommend soap and water, or baking soda. We recommend having a cleaning routine on the regular to keep your case looking its best so that you can continue to enjoy the look and feel of your phone.

How to clean a clear phone case that has turned brown?

After a while, you may start to notice that your once clear phone cover has turned from an unsightly yellow to a darker brown. The cause of this is no different to what causes yellowing, and it ultimately comes down to exposure to UV radiation from the sun combined with aged polymers. Plus, if your phone cover is regularly exposed to sweat, oils from your skin, pollutants, humidity, and extreme temperatures, the colour change will likely happen even faster.

There are many tips and tricks for cleaning clear phone covers and ways to help slow down the process of them turning yellow and eventually brown. However, once a clear phone cover starts to change colour, it can be tough to get it back to its original state. If you have been unable to reverse the yellow or brown staining on your phone cover after trying the mentioned cleaning methods, it may be time to get a new phone cover.

At Imfixed, we are proud to offer a wide range of clear phone cases and holders for a variety of makes and models. If you are looking to replace your clear phone cover with a fresher, more robust model, why not take a look at the selection available on our website? If you have any questions about any of our phone covers or holders, feel free to get in touch with our team today on 01204 520520, or you can email us at info@imfixed.co.uk.