Alexei Volkov
Over time, plastic can turn yellow due to exposure to sunlight or UV light. This is because of the bromine used in the manufacturing process of old ABS plastics, which rises to the surface and causes discolouration. Luckily, there are several methods to restore yellowed plastic to its original white colour. These include using baking soda and dish soap, white vinegar and water, lemon juice, bleach, or a combination of hydrogen peroxide and UV light.
Characteristics and Values Table for Re-Whitening Yellowed Plastic
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of Yellowing | Exposure to UV rays from the sun |
| Methods | Baking soda and dish soap, Vinegar, Bleach, Peroxide cream, UV light, Lemon juice, Toothpaste, Paint, Salon chemicals |
| Effectiveness | Varying degrees of success depending on the method and type of plastic |
| Permanence | May not be permanent due to the presence of free bromides in the plastic that can resurface |
| Safety | Some methods may be unsafe for items that come into contact with children's mouths |
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What You'll Learn
Using hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a mild oxygen bleach that can be used to remove stains on white clothes and plastic containers. It is a popular method for whitening yellowed plastic.
For electronic parts, it is recommended to remove the yellowed plastic first. Then, fill a sink with a mixture of 8 parts water to 1 part bleach. Put on some gloves, submerge the plastic in the solution, and soak until it turns white again. Finally, wash the plastic with mild soap and rinse.
Alternatively, you can fill the entire container with hydrogen peroxide to keep the colour even and remove any other traces of stains. Leave the container to sit for up to 24 hours, especially for severe stains. After the time has passed, pour the hydrogen peroxide down the sink and wash the container in hot, soapy water. If the container is dishwasher-safe, you can place it in the top rack.
You can also use hydrogen peroxide cream. However, it is advised to wear gloves when handling the cream as it can burn the skin. Leave the item outside on a sunny day, and after a few hours, wipe the cream off and reapply if necessary.
There are also ready-to-use hydrogen peroxide sprays available, such as Lysol, which can be used with a magic eraser and cleaning sheets for tight spots.
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Soaking in bleach
Soaking yellowed plastic items in a bleach solution is one method to restore them to their original colour. However, it is worth noting that bleach may not always be effective, and it may weaken the plastic over time. Additionally, it is not suitable for items that come into contact with food or children's toys.
To create a bleach solution, mix one tablespoon (15 ml) of bleach per one cup (240 ml) of water. If the items cannot be submerged, put on gloves and soak paper towels in the solution. Cover the plastic with the wet paper towels, re-wetting them as needed. If the items can be submerged, place them in a bucket or bowl and cover them with the solution. Allow the items to soak until they reach the desired level of whiteness, which may take between one and six hours.
After soaking, remove the plastic from the solution and rinse it with soap and water. Wash the plastic with a mild detergent and allow the pieces to air dry completely. To remove the smell of bleach, leave the item outside in the sun for two days.
Before using bleach, it is recommended to test it on a small section of the plastic to ensure it does not cause any harm. An alternative to bleach is to use peroxide cream, which can be left on the plastic and exposed to UV light or sunlight for one to two days.
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Applying baking soda
Baking soda is a great option to remove yellow stains from plastic items. It can be used in combination with other household products or on its own. To make a baking soda paste, mix two tablespoons of baking soda with one teaspoon of water. If the paste is too thick, add a few more drops of water.
Once you have your paste, apply it to the stained areas of the plastic item. You can do this with a sponge or paper towel, pressing hard so that the paste gets into the "pores" of the plastic. Let the paste sit for at least five to ten minutes. Then, dampen your sponge and gently scrub the plastic. Wash the item in hot, soapy water and rinse well. You can repeat this process if needed.
For items that cannot be scrubbed, you can try spraying them with a mixture of peroxide and baking soda paste. You can also try soaking the item in a solution of peroxide and baking soda. Soaking is a good option for items that have turned entirely yellow, rather than having a small, localised stain.
Another method is to moisten the plastic with a bit of water and then use a sponge to rub the baking soda paste onto the item in circular motions. Once the item is covered in the paste, wash it in soapy water, rinse with water, and dry with a towel.
It is important to note that before attempting to remove stains, you should ensure that the plastic is at room temperature and that any visible food particles have been removed. Additionally, some sources recommend letting the paste sit for a full day before rinsing it off, as this gives the paste more time to "eat" the stains.
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Using lemon juice
Lemon juice is a great, natural way to remove yellow stains from plastic. It is particularly effective on plastic cookware, utensils, storage containers, and cutting boards.
To use lemon juice to re-whiten yellowed plastic, start by cutting a fresh lemon in half. Rub the lemon onto the plastic, covering the stained areas with lemon juice. If your item has lots of nooks and crannies, like a cutting board, make sure to get the lemon juice into these grooves.
Once the stain is covered in lemon juice, take the item outside and place it in direct sunlight. Leave the plastic item in the sun for a few hours to a whole day. The UV rays from the sun will work with the lemon juice to help remove the yellow stains.
If you are unable to place the item in direct sunlight, you can also dip a sponge into the lemon juice and rub it onto the stained area. Leave the item outside in the sun for at least one to two days, and then rinse off.
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Leaving in the sun
Sunlight can be an effective way to remove stains from plastic. If the item is small enough, place it in direct sunlight for a few hours. Make sure that all areas of the item are exposed to the sun to ensure even whitening.
Leaving the item in the sun for longer may be necessary if the stains are particularly stubborn. For example, one source recommends leaving yellowed plastic outside in the sun for a full day to expose it to UV rays. The same source suggests repeating the process over several days if necessary.
It is important to check if the plastic can withstand heat and sun exposure. While sunlight can be an effective stain remover, it can also cause plastic to crack and discolour. Therefore, it is recommended to treat plastic items with commercial conditioning products regularly to preserve them.
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Frequently asked questions
A simple method to re-whiten yellowed plastic is to use a mixture of baking soda, water and lemon juice. Apply the paste to the plastic, leave for a few hours, spritz with lemon juice, wash with warm water and dry.
For plastic toys, lemon juice can be used. Soak the toy in lemon juice for an hour in the sun, then brush off with a mild soap. Rinse and dry.
For containers, a mixture of vinegar and water can be used. Soak the container in the mixture, then scrub with a toothbrush and soapy water. Rinse and dry.
For plastic car parts, a peroxide cream can be used. Cover the part in the cream, wrap in plastic wrap, and leave in the sun for a day. Rinse with water and repeat if necessary.
