Although it has become the nightmare of environmentalists, due to its harmful effects on the environment, plastic continues to be one of the most resistant, economical and common materials in homes. It is the main compound of all kinds of objects such as kitchen utensils, electrical appliances, toys or even certain decorative elements. However, over time, with heavy use and regular exposure to heat or smoke, plastic eventually yellows, tarnishes and looks dirty.
To remove this yellowing, many people often use popular products such as bleach or alcohol. But they are abrasive substances that can easily damage your plastic items. In order not to take risks, it is better to bet on less aggressive products. We are going to offer you a range of quick and effective solutions to whiten plastic.
Appliances: Plastic wears out over time!
White plastic drainer – Source: spm
Although the main characteristics of plastic are its flexibility and resistance, over time it loses its white color and acquires a yellowish tone that gives it a dirty and worn appearance. This effect appears more quickly if plastic objects are not properly maintained or if they are constantly exposed to the sun.
If you want to whiten your plastic parts to make them pristine again, basic cleaning will not be enough to give you the desired result. To effectively whiten all yellowed items, you will need to use some powerful bleaching products and some sage advice.
Here are 3 particularly effective solutions to restore whiteness and shine to worn and yellowed plastic.
3 tips to whiten yellowed plastic from household appliances
with hydrogen peroxide
Renowned for slowing down the aging process, purifying and firming the skin, hydrogen peroxide is commonly used in cosmetic products. But, thanks to its versatility, it is also used to offset various household tasks. Therefore, it will be very useful for whitening your plastic objects. Get a hydrogen peroxide cream. First clean the object well with soapy water. Then spread the cream on it and cover the element with a transparent film. Leave it like this for 24 hours, so that air particles do not interfere. When you clean your part, you will find that the plastic has returned to its former shine.
Baking soda – Source: spm
with baking soda
It is surely one of the most infallible products to return plastic to its whiteness. And this, thanks to its bleaching and stain-removing properties. In addition to removing the yellowish color, baking soda will be perfect for eradicating germs and other surface dirt.
How to proceed ? It is best to first use a cloth soaked in soapy water to rub the most affected areas. Next, mix hot water in a container with half a glass of chlorine, another half of bicarbonate and a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. After obtaining a homogeneous mixture of all these ingredients, soak a clean sponge and pass it through the yellowish areas with circular movements. For the solution to be effective, leave it on for 10 minutes. All you have to do is remove the remaining residue with another water-soaked sponge. Your plastic objects will shine brighter than ever!
with fine sandpaper
Finally, this last method is applied above all to very delicate or high-value items. Thanks to the very fine sandpaper, you can restore them to their original whiteness. To do this, it is enough to pass it very gently through the yellowish areas until the first most deteriorated layer is removed.
With all these tips, you can easily overcome the yellowish tint that gets embedded in your plastic items over the years. But, obviously, the best recommendation to follow is to maintain frequent cleaning, especially in certain sensitive areas, to prevent dirt from accumulating.
Have you ever tried any of these tricks or any other interesting methods to whiten your plastic items?
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