How to carefully clean and wash a silicone phone case using improvised means?

To protect your mobile phone from damage, cases, covers or bumpers made from various materials, including plastic and silicone, are used. Sooner or later it becomes necessary to clean the silicone case. How to do this without damaging the accessory?

We wash silicone “clothes” for the phone

The silicone case is stylish, looks beautiful, and is relatively inexpensive, but it is very impractical. The fact is that it has one very bad quality - it absorbs dirt, and then the resulting stains are almost impossible to wash off. In addition, the material from which it is made is soft and delicate, and therefore requires careful care. To avoid damage and deformation, the following products should not be used to clean it:

• abrasive materials, including sandpaper;
• metal jaws;
• brushes with stiff bristles;
• sharp objects (knives, knitting needles, needles, etc.);
• detergents containing bleach.

Sharp objects can damage the soft structure of silicone, and dirt, dust, and dyes will get into the resulting cracks or scratches. In turn, chlorine contained in household chemicals will cause the cover to turn yellow, and the transparent product may become cloudy.

The most suitable means to clean a silicone product are soap and water.It is better to use toilet soap, shampoo or other mild cleaning solutions; liquid dish soap will also work.

Add a little soap mixture to warm water, stir well and beat until foamy. After this, place the case in the resulting liquid for 30 minutes or one hour - the soaking time will depend on the degree of contamination. Then use a soft brush or sponge to rub the dirtiest areas and rinse with plenty of water. If stains or dirt remain, the procedure can be repeated. When the cover is washed, you need to wipe it dry, as there may be stains or traces in the form of water droplets left on it.

Advice

Silicone cases should be washed as often as possible. If the stain is absorbed, it will be difficult to remove and the appearance of the cover will deteriorate. However, “fresh” stains can be cleaned quickly and easily with a damp cloth or regular laundry soap.

We fight difficult stains and dirt

When water procedures do not help, you can resort to drastic cleaning methods. Meanwhile, it should be remembered that delicate silicone cases can be damaged and cannot be restored. It will be very difficult to wipe off traces from a pen or felt-tip pen, stains from clothing or food products, such as coffee or red juice - unfortunately, they can only be lightened, but they cannot be washed completely.

At the same time, you can try to remove even stubborn stains from the surface of the silicone. There are special preparations available for the care and cleaning of such products, but they are unreasonably expensive. For these purposes, improvised means will also work - the result from their use will be no worse.By following simple tips and recommendations, you can wash the case and bring it, although not to its original condition, but maintain a presentable appearance.

1. To clean stains of various origins that have formed on a rubber surface, you can use bleach that does not contain chlorine (Vanish, Boss, etc.). You can prepare a water solution with bleach added or apply it directly to the surface (a small amount) using a sponge or toothbrush.
2. You can also clean the silicone case using a paste made from soda. To do this, add just a little water to a spoonful of soda, literally a few drops, and then apply it to the stains. Do not rub it in, as this may damage the surface of the cover.
3. Nail polish remover will help get rid of unpleasant stains. However, such a liquid should not contain acetone. Before using it, apply the solution in an inconspicuous place using a cotton swab. Do not use varnish cleaner on colored or painted covers, as the paint may peel off, the brightness will be lost, or the product will become cloudy.
4. You can also use toothpaste to clean the case. It should be applied to an old brush or sponge and rub the entire surface with gentle movements. After this, wash the cover thoroughly so that no white streaks remain. This method is well suited for white products or transparent covers.
5. Alcohol-containing solutions will remove stains from ink or felt-tip pens. You can try soaking the case completely in this mixture, and then rinsing it in water.

Advice

It is better not to carry your phone in a silicone case in your jeans pocket or bag.Otherwise, there is a high probability that it will very quickly turn indigo or be stained with pen ink.

Extreme cleaning methods

In the case when the cover is old or already has a sloppy and stale appearance, you can use solutions to remove stains, which, however, can not only clean it, but also ruin it.

So, in order to wash away old dirt, complex stains or contaminants, the following are used:

• solvent or acetone;
• lemon juice or acid;
• gasoline or kerosene;
• Domestos or other chlorine bleach;
• detergents containing small abrasive particles.

The use of such aggressive substances and preparations will help in some cases to get rid of unwanted traces of dirt, but this may cause the silicone to turn yellow, crack or become brittle. It is also possible that the cover may become cloudy, or lose brightness, transparency and shine. Some of these products may dissolve the surface of the phone cover or cause it to deform, and you will simply have to throw it away.

Advice

Buying a cheap silicone case is undesirable, since they not only quickly tear and turn yellow, but also do not tolerate any manipulation or cleaning procedures. They are thinner, less flexible and ductile, or, conversely, too rough, made from low-quality materials, so they quickly stretch and become unusable.