One of the best solutions to reliably protect your mobile phone from negative external influences are silicone cases. The efficiency of using such accessories is obvious, but there is also a drawback - the porous structure of the material, due to which they get dirty and gradually lose their presentable appearance. This problem is not simple, but at the same time it is completely solvable: it is enough to know how to clean silicone covers correctly, which will be described later.
What tools are better to refuse?
Before you begin to consider the methods of cleaning silicone pads, you need to pay attention to tools that are not recommended for use in this task. These are:
- bristles with too stiff bristles;
- sandpaper - even the finest;
- wire sponges;
- needles, knives and other sharp objects.
The use of the above funds often leads to the appearance of mechanical damage - scratches and cracks. Growing, the latter can cause the cover to rupture, after which the accessory cannot be restored. In addition, over time, dirt accumulates in them - and in much larger than before, quantities. Another tool that should not be used to clean silicone cases is chlorine. Being extremely aggressive, it destroys the structure of the lining material, resulting in the appearance of yellowness and cloudy areas.
Remember that it is not possible to get rid of such defects, and therefore the product with them can only be thrown away.
"Wash" the cover
The most popular technique that allows you to put your phone’s protective pad in order involves using mild cleaning products such as soap, shampoo, or dishwashing detergent. To achieve the desired result with its help, you need to step by step follow these steps:
- dilute a small amount of the selected product in a container filled with warm water until foam appears;
- dip the cover into the prepared bath for about 3/4 hours;
- gently rub the problem areas of the lining with a sponge or an unnecessary toothbrush;
- wash off the remaining foam with water;
- Dry the product with a soft cloth.
The last step is necessary so that there are no traces of drops and stains on the surface of the accessory. In the described way, you can wash most of the simple dirt - as an option, greasy fingerprints and dust adhering to them. Practice shows that it is ideally suited for regular cleaning of the silicone case, which is recommended to be carried out weekly.
Cleaning complex dirt
In a situation where the use of gentle cleaning compounds does not allow to achieve the desired result, it is reasonable to use more powerful means. First of all, these include:
- Baking soda. Among all the substances that can cope with deep pollution, this tool is the most delicate. After mixing soda with warm water, you need to grease the problematic patch area with the resulting “slurry”. Do not rub the cleaning compound into the stain - just wait for the moment when the product used is completely dry. The final stage is washing the cover under a stream of warm water until the traces of soda are completely removed from its surface;
- Alcohol or vodka. With the help of these tools you can get rid of many contaminants, but they must be used with caution. This rule is relevant for cases decorated with a pattern - first of all, those that cannot "boast" of the high quality of the paint used. To clean the accessory, it is necessary to moisten the cotton pad in alcohol or vodka, and then evenly wipe it with all contaminated surfaces. After this, it is good to rinse the protective pad and wipe it dry;
- Nail polish remover. Like alcohol, this tool can damage the picture that adorns the cover, and therefore the owners of such accessories should use it as carefully as possible. In order to reduce the likelihood of the aforementioned troubles, experts recommend the use of fluids that do not contain acetone. You can get rid of contaminants using the tool in question according to the algorithm described in the previous paragraph.
Provided that the cover material meets all modern standards, the owner of the product should not worry about its safety. Usually, base chemicals suffer from potent chemicals whose manufacturers do not pay due attention to their quality. In order not to take risks, it is enough to apply a small amount of cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area of the surface of the lining. If the destruction of the material is not observed, then the selected composition can be used without fear.
How to clean a darkened product?
The most common reason for darkening the surface of a silicone case is its close interaction with other materials, such as trouser fabric. As for the solution to this problem, first of all, the use of citric acid or gasoline is considered such.
In order to restore the lost color to the pad, you must adhere to the following sequence of actions:
- wear rubber gloves to help protect your skin;
- gently and without pressure to wipe the darkened areas of the accessory using cotton wool or a kitchen sponge;
- wash away the remnants of cleaning products from the surface of the cover, placing it under a stream of warm water;
- Wipe the protective pad dry with a soft cloth.
It is noteworthy that with citric acid or gasoline, you can remove both browning and many other difficult contaminants. The use of these tools allows you to tidy even the silicone case that was painted with felt-tip pens or markers.
It is possible to achieve a similar result in situations where the accessory is “decorated” with spots from green and other synthetic dyes.
Getting rid of yellowness
Despite the many advantages that polymer materials possess, they are characterized by such a drawback as aging. It is characterized by the appearance of a yellowish tint, which is a consequence of the action of sunlight and other, less significant factors. This feature is also relevant for silicone products, gradually manifesting during their operation. If you select the most effective means that can overcome such yellowness, then their list will look like this:
- Ammonia, baking soda and water, mixed in equal proportions. The resulting product should be applied to the problem area of the cover, wait 20-25 minutes and rinse with plenty of warm water. In conclusion, it is necessary to wipe the surface of the lining dry using a soft rag;
- Liquid bleach without chlorine. To remove the yellowness from the cover, it is enough to dip it into a container with a weak solution of such a chemical, leaving it there for 20 minutes;
- Toothpaste. To return the silicone product to its original color, the product in question must be applied for 1/4 hour, evenly distributing it on the surface of the accessory. After the specified time, the paste should be washed off.
If to whiten the yellowed cover on the first attempt did not work, then any of the described procedures must be repeated.
How to clean an opaque pad?
In addition to the tips given earlier, they still help to answer the question Two helpful suggestions:
- the use of an eraser. Provided that the silicone case is not transparent or matte, you can wipe off dirt from its surface using this school accessory. The main thing is that it should not be colored - in order to avoid coloring the telephone accessory. The optimal solution in this situation is a white eraser Koh-i-Noor, the material of which is natural rubber;
- the use of melamine sponge. This product can be used instead of an eraser, and with no less success.
Concluding the material presented to the reader’s attention, it remains to be noted that in the vast majority of cases it is possible to rid a silicone case of dirt. There are many solutions to this problem, and each of them allows you to delay the acquisition of a new accessory.
For more details on how to clean a silicone case, see the next video.
