Oils and UV light chemical reactions make clear plastics turn yellow over time. Whereas the clear plastics at home can be long-lasting, you may want to dispose of them in the recycle bin once they turn yellow or get stained. However, before you drop them into the recycle bin, let’s learn how to remove yellow from clear plastic.
Thorough cleaning with household supplies such as lemon juice, vinegar, and baking soda may restore them.
How to Remove Yellow from Clear Plastic
You will need white vinegar, water, dish soap, a soft bristle brush, and a clean towel for this process.
The Steps
Step 1: Add a tablespoon of dish soap, two cups of vinegar, and water in a non-reactive container or sink
Step 2: Immerse the yellowed plastic and allow it to soak for 15 to 30 minutes.
Step 3: Scrub the plastic with a soft bristle brush after soaking.
Step 4: Rinse with water and let it dry. You can dry it using a towel or let it dry in the sun for a few minutes.
Apart from vinegar, there are other products you can use to remove yellow from plastic.
Let’s go through them.
How to Remove Yellow from Clear Plastic with Bleach
Soaking the plastic for some time with bleach will help remove the yellow stains.
Before soaking the plastic in the bleach solution, spot test in an inconspicuous area of the plastic to check if the bleach is harmful to the plastic. Then, proceed if you find it safe. If not, consider using other solvents.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Bleach
- Water
- Gloves
- Non-reactive container
- Soap
The Steps
Step 1: Wear gloves to protect your skin
Step 2: Mix a tablespoon of bleach per 1 cup of water in a container to form a bleach solution. An ideal ratio would be 8:1 water to bleach mix.
Step 3: Immerse the stained plastic into the bleach solution and let it soak for 1-2 hours.
Step 4: Remove the plastic from the solution, then wash it with warm soapy water to remove any bleach residues.
Step 5: Wipe clean and allow the plastic to dry.
For Stubborn Yellow;
Step 1: Combine equal parts of water and bleach in a container or sink
Step 2: Soak the yellowed plastic overnight
Step 3: Rinse the plastic using warm water
Step 4: Let the plastic sit in the sun outdoors for two full days. It helps remove the smell of bleach and traces of yellow residues.
How to Remove Yellow from Clear Plastic with Hydrogen Peroxide
If you dislike bleach, you can use hydrogen peroxide. You can acquire hydrogen peroxide at a big box or drug store nearby.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Bucket or large bowl
- Goggles
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Oxy laundry booster
- Rubber gloves
- Water
The Steps
Step 1: Begin by protecting yourself. Wear rubber gloves and goggles because hydrogen can cause skin irritation and temporary corneal damage and burn to the eye.
Step 2: Add hydrogen peroxide to a bucket, container, or large bowl. Do not dilute the hydrogen peroxide.
Step 3: Add ¼ teaspoon of Oxy laundry booster for every gallon of hydrogen peroxide. Oxy laundry boosters hasten the removal of stains as well as restore the original color, in this case making the plastic clear.
Step 4: Put the solution in the sun and immerse the yellowed plastic. Allow it to soak for 2-6 hours as the hydrogen peroxide solution works on the yellow stains. Moisten a paper towel with the hydrogen peroxide solution and place it on the stained surface for items that cannot be soaked.
Step 5: Remove the plastic from the solution once the yellow is gone
Step 6: Rinse with clean, warm soapy water and allow the plastic to dry.
You may be required to repeat the process if all the stains don’t lift off on the first attempt. You can also use an old toothbrush to scrub the hydrogen peroxide on stubborn yellow stains.
How to Remove Yellow from Clear Plastic with Denture Tablets
Denture tablets work best on removing discoloration from dentures; why not try it on our yellowed plastics?
The Supplies You Will Need
- Denture tablet
- Bowl
- Water
- Dish Soap
The Steps
Step 1: Pour hot water into a bowl
Step 2: Add two denture tablets into the hot water to dissolve.
Step 3: Pour the mixture into or onto the yellowed plastic and let it sit for 10-15 minutes as the stains lift off.
Step 4: After removing all the stains, rinse the plastic with soapy water.
Step 5: Repeat the process if the yellow stains don’t lift off on the first attempt.
Use Alka seltzer as an alternative if you can’t access denture tablets.
How to Remove Yellow from Clear Plastic Using Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol has ingredients that dissolve yellow stains from clear plastic.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Container
- Gloves
- Dish soap
- Water
- Rubbing Alcohol
The Steps
Step 1: Pour rubbing alcohol into the yellow plastic. If the yellowed plastic can’t hold the rubbing alcohol, pour the rubbing alcohol into a different container and soak the plastic.
Step 2: Let it sit for a few minutes as the rubbing alcohol works on the stain.
Step 3: Repeat the process if the stains don’t lift off on the first attempt.
Step 4: After removing all the yellow stains, rinse the plastic item using soap and warm water to remove lingering traces of rubbing alcohol.
Step 5: Allow the plastic to dry
You can also use hand sanitizer if you don’t have isopropyl/rubbing alcohol.
How to Remove Yellow from Clear Plastic Using Baking Soda
Baking soda takes out forms of yellowing resulting from dyes and minerals in certain foods.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Baking soda
- Bowl
- Dish Soap (Dawn)
- Elbow grease
- Gloves
- Sponge/Paper towel
- Towel
- Water
The Steps
Step 1: Mix baking soda and dawn in a bowl. Add water gradually as you mix to form a thick paste.
Step 2: Moisten the yellowed plastic with water.
Step 3: Place some paste onto the sponge and spread it on the yellow stain.
Step 4: Let it sit for a few minutes as the paste work on the stain.
Step 5: Rub the stain using a sponge. While rubbing, add some elbow grease to hasten the cleaning process.
Step 6: After removing the yellow stains, wash the plastic in soapy water to remove traces of baking soda paste.
Step 7: Rinse with clean water and dry it with a towel.
If the stain doesn’t come out on the first attempt, repeat the process.
However, if you encounter stubborn yellow stains;
Step 8: Apply the baking soda paste on the moistened plastic surface and let it rest for a few hours.
Step 9: Scrub the surface using a sponge as you gradually add elbow grease.
Step 10: Once clean, wash the surface using soapy water.
Step 11: Rinse using clean water and allow it to dry.
How to Remove Yellow from Clear Plastic with Lemon Juice
Lemon juice, sunlight, and patience will help you remove yellow from your clear plastic.
The Supplies You Will Need
- All-purpose cleaner
- Bottle sprayer
- Brush
- Container
- Dish soap
- Lemon/lemon juice
- Water
The Steps
Step 1: Cut a fresh lemon into two halves or add lemon juice into an empty spray bottle.
Step 2: Rub both halves of the lemon or spray the lemon juice on the affected area leaving the juice to work on the stain.
Pour some lemon juice into a container and soak smaller plastic items.
Step 3: Set the plastic surface or the soaked plastic items in the sun for 1-2 hours. Leave the plastic item in the sun for 6-12 hours to remove stubborn yellow stains.
Step 4: Add some dish soap to a brush and brush off stains.
Step 5: Wash using warm water and soap. You can also use an all-purpose cleaner to remove all the lemon juice and yellow stain residues.
Step 6: Rinse using clean water and allow to dry.
Step 7: Repeat the process if necessary.
How to Remove Yellow from Clear Plastic with Magic Eraser
Magic erasers come in handy when cleaning water-sensitive plastic items such as electronics. Do not immerse yellowed plastic electronics in cleaning solutions as this will damage them. Magic erasers work best on discolored computers and toys.
The Steps
Step 1: Pick a magic eraser and dampen it with clean water. Ensure to squeeze out excess water.
Step 2: Scrub the plastic surface gently in circular motions with a magic eraser.
Step 3: Rewet the magic eraser as you continue scrubbing.
Step 4: Once clean, wipe down the plastic using a dry towel.
Repeat the process to achieve the desired results.
How to Remove Yellow from Clear Plastic Using Comet
The Supplies You Will Need
- Bucket or large bowl
- Comet
- Dish detergent
- Scrubbing sponge
- Water
- Elbow grease
The Steps
Step 1: Dampen the yellowed plastic.
Step 2: Put enough comet on the scrubbing sponge and scrub the yellow stains.
Step 3: As you continue scrubbing, add some elbow grease to dissolve the stain. Embrace some patience as this may take some time.
Step 4: Once the yellow is gone, clean the surface using dish soap and water
Step 5: Rinse the surface using clean water
Step 6: Let it dry
Tips and Precautions
Some chemicals suggested in this article may damage the plastic, for instance, bleach. Be careful when using bleach because it might damage the plastic or turn it more yellowish. Wash immediately after cleaning.
Remember to wear protective gear such as rubber gloves to protect your skin from irritation/burns. In some instances, wear respirators/masks when using solvents that release toxic fumes or have a strong smell.
If a method doesn’t lift all the yellow on the first attempt, repeat the process to get the job done.
Avoid using abrasive supplies such as scouring pads and steel wool when removing yellow on clear plastics as they scratch surfaces.
Work in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make clear plastic clear again?
White non-gel toothpaste will make clear plastic clear. Rub the toothpaste on the surface using a clean and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, wipe clean using a damp paper towel or cloth to clear off stain and toothpaste residues. This should leave your plastic clean and clear.
What causes plastics to be yellow?
Plastics turn yellow because they absorb UV radiation. Since plastics are polymers, they are susceptible to heat, light, and radiation. As they continuously get exposed to heat, they oxide hence the color transformation.
Does bleach turn plastic yellow?
Continuous exposure to chlorine will turn your plastics yellow. Therefore after cleaning your plastic with bleach, ensure to rinse the plastic clean since bleach will cause discoloration.
Bottom Line
As I have mentioned above, yellowed plastic is unsightly; however, yellowing is not irreversible. We can remove it.
Removing yellow from plastic is easy. You can use everyday household items such as vinegar, rubbing alcohol, baking soda, or cleaning supplies such as hydrogen peroxide and a magic eraser.
Whichever technique you prefer, removing yellow from clear plastic remains the primary objective.
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