One of the best solutions to reliably protect your mobile phone from negative external influences are silicone cases. The effectiveness of the use of such accessories is obvious, but there is a drawback - the porous structure of the material, due to which they get dirty and gradually lose their presentable appearance. This problem is not easy, but at the same time completely solvable: it is enough to know how to properly clean the silicone covers, which will be discussed later.
What means it is better to refuse?
Before proceeding to the consideration of methods for cleaning silicone linings, it is necessary to pay attention to the means, which are not recommended for the solution of this problem. These are:
- brushes with too stiff bristles;
- sandpaper - even the finest grained;
- wire sponges;
- needles, knives and other sharp objects.
Using the above tools often leads to mechanical damage - scratches and cracks. Growing up, the latter may cause a rupture of the cover, after which the accessory cannot be restored. In addition, over time, dirt accumulates in them - and in much larger quantities than before. Another tool that should not be used for cleaning silicone covers is chlorine. Being extremely aggressive, it destroys the structure of the lining material, resulting in the appearance of yellowness and turbid 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" cover
The most popular technique, which allows you to put the phone’s protective cover in order, involves the use of mild detergents - soap, shampoo or dishwashing detergent. To achieve the desired result with it, you need to step by step the following steps:
- dilute a small amount of the selected agent in a container filled with warm water until foam appears;
- dip the cover in the cooked bath for about 3/4 hours;
- gently rub the problem areas of the pad 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 streaks on the surface of the accessory. In the manner described, it is possible to wash off most uncomplicated dirt — as an option, greasy finger marks and dust adhering to them. Practice shows that it is optimally suited for regular cleaning of a silicone case, which is recommended to be carried out weekly.
Cleaning of difficult pollution
In a situation where the use of sparing cleaning compositions does not allow to achieve the desired result, it is reasonable to use stronger means. First of all, these include:
- Baking soda. Among all the substances that can cope with deep pollution, this tool is the most delicate. Mixing soda with warm water, you need to lubricate the resulting "gruel" problem area lining. Rub the cleaning composition into the stain should not be - just wait until the used tool is completely dry. The final stage is washing the case under a stream of warm water until all traces of soda are completely removed from its surface;
- Alcohol or vodka. With these tools you can get rid of a lot of pollution, but they need to be used with caution. This rule is relevant for cases decorated with a pattern - first of all those who cannot “boast” of the high quality of the paint used. To clean an accessory, it is necessary to moisten a cotton pad in alcohol or vodka, and then evenly wipe all contaminated surfaces with it. After that, it remains to rinse the protective cover well and wipe it dry;
- Nail polish remover. Like alcohol, this tool can damage the decorating cover pattern, and therefore owners of such accessories should use it as carefully as possible. In order to reduce the likelihood of the above-mentioned trouble, experts recommend the use of liquids that do not contain acetone. It is possible to get rid of pollution with the help of 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, low-end accessories suffer from potent chemical compounds, manufacturers who do not pay enough attention to their quality. In order not to risk, it is enough to apply a small amount of detergent to the barely visible surface area of the lining. If the destruction of the material is not observed, then the selected composition can be used safely.
How to clean a darkened product?
The most common reason for the darkening of the surface of the silicone case is its close interaction with other materials, for example, fabric trousers. As for solving this problem, first of all, this is considered to be the use of citric acid or gasoline.
In order to bring back the lost shade, need to adhere to the following sequence of actions:
- Wear rubber gloves to help protect your hands;
- gently and without pressing wipe the darkened areas of the accessory using a cotton or kitchen sponge;
- wash off the remnants of cleaning products from the surface of the cover by placing it under a stream of warm water;
- dry the protective cover with a soft cloth.
It is noteworthy that by means of citric acid or gasoline, both darkening and many other difficult contaminants can be removed. The use of these tools allows you to put in order even the silicone case, which was painted with felt-tip pens or markers.
A similar result is really achieved in situations where the accessory is “decorated” with spots from green leaf and other synthetic dyes.
Freedom from yellowness
Despite the many advantages that polymeric materials possess, they are characterized by such a defect 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 relevant for silicone products, gradually appearing in the process of 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 wash off with plenty of warm water. In conclusion, it is necessary to wipe the surface of the lining dry using a soft cloth;
- 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. In order to return the original product to the silicone product, the product in question should be applied for 1/4 hour, evenly distributing it over the surface of the accessory. After this time, the paste should be washed off.
If, however, to bleach the yellowed cover on the first attempt did not work, then any of the described procedures must be repeated.
How to clean the opaque lining?
In addition to the tips given earlier, helping to answer this question Two helpful recommendations:
- using eraser. Provided that the silicone case is not transparent or matte, you can wipe the dirt off its surface with this school item. The main thing that it was not color - in order to avoid coloring of a telephone accessory. The best solution in this situation is the white Koh-i-Noor eraser, 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, it remains to be noted that in the overwhelming majority of cases it is possible to rid the silicone case of contamination. There are many solutions to this problem and each of them allows you to delay the purchase of a new accessory.
For more information on how to clean the silicone case, see the next video.
