How to whiten yellowed plastic correctly and safety?

In the modern world, plastic is found in every home, home appliances, windows and window sills, small interior elements and even children's toys are made of it. Over time, they fade and lose their formal appearance, so you need to know how to bleach yellowed plastic at home. Plastic products begin to treacherously turn yellow due to exposure to sunlight and other natural factors. Frequent and thorough cleaning will not help to avoid this problem.

Preparation of plastic for bleaching

Before the procedure for getting rid of yellowness, you need to prepare the surface for processing. If we are talking about a refrigerator, then remove all the small parts, they will need to be soaked overnight in a special solution. The door itself and side panels should be thoroughly cleaned of soot and grease, which settle on all surfaces of the kitchen. Sometimes after such a procedure, the refrigerator becomes lighter by 1-2 tones, but do not stop there.

Use a regular soft sponge and liquid cleaners: the plastic is very easy to scratch, especially if your kitchen appliances have a glossy surface. In supermarkets you can find special wet wipes to remove grease and dirt from delicate surfaces. They are ideal for processing machinery. Frequent wet cleaning will help slow down the rate of yellowness.

The following products will help whiten yellowed plastic:

• laundry soap;
• alcohol;
• vinegar;
• hydrogen peroxide;
• chlorine;
• technical soda.

Gentle methods

The use of laundry soap is the most gentle way to bleach plastic products. It will help only if yellowness has arisen more likely due to greasy plaque than due to changes in the structure of the material itself under the influence of external factors. Grate half a bar of laundry soap and dissolve in warm water. Dampened with a sponge in the solution, treat the surface of the yellowed refrigerator or window, leave for half an hour and rinse with plain water.

Tip

Never use a stiff sponge or cleaning powder to avoid scratching the surface of the refrigerator.

Alcohol guarantees a better result than a soap solution. Wipe the entire yellowed plastic surface with a cotton pad moistened with ethanol. Be sure to open the windows so that the room is ventilated, and do not forget about gloves.

The usual 9% vinegar will not help. Need 70-80% vinegar essence. Acid is harmful to the skin and overall health. Make sure the room is ventilated with thick rubber gloves on your hands.

Aggressive methods

In advanced cases, you can clean the yellow plastic appliances with hydrogen peroxide (perhydrol). Moisten a cotton pad in peroxide and completely treat it with plastic that has been previously cleared of grease and dust. The procedure should be performed at least 3 times. To enhance the effect, it is advised to prepare a solution based on peroxide and hair bleach. According to 2 tbsp. l peroxide and clarifier dissolve in 1 liter of water. Dampen the entire refrigerator with a damp sponge and it will shine again with white.

Chlorine and technical soda help whiten small objects that can be removed and soaked in the solution overnight. You can use any substance containing chlorine: bleach, stain remover, etc. If the result does not satisfy you, dissolve 1 tbsp. l technical soda and washing in a liter of water. Soaking in such a tool for 10 hours or more will help even in the most advanced cases.

Useful Tips

Windows and window sills are the most “vulnerable” plastic products, as they are subject to continuous exposure to direct sunlight. How quickly the plastic turns yellow depends not only on its quality, but also on how to handle it. Do not smoke in the apartment, as the resin is absorbed by the plastic surface. Cigarette smoke will spoil not only appliances and windows, but also wallpaper and furniture. And you can put a napkin on the windowsill, which will not only protect it from damage, but also decorate the interior of the room.

Do not forget about frequent wet cleaning: grease and dust are gradually absorbed into the plastic. The more often plastic surfaces are wiped with soapy water or special cleaning napkins, the later it will begin to change its color. Conducting easy cleaning for prevention is easier than washing plastic from perennial yellow deposits.

As you can see, there are many ways to clean plastic. Each hostess can choose the most suitable and affordable method for herself. Following all the instructions, you can permanently preserve the radiant appearance of your windows and household appliances.