How can you clean white plastic? How to clean plastic panels - practical tips

How can you clean white plastic?  How to clean plastic panels - practical tips
How can you clean white plastic? How to clean plastic panels - practical tips

Ways to wash white plastic.

Plastic is a common finishing material used in construction. It is often used for finishing balconies and bathrooms. This material is easy to wash and is quite resistant to various influences.

It is worth noting that double-sided tape sticks due to the presence of adhesive mass on its surface. Therefore, your task is to dissolve the glue. This can be done using an organic solvent.

Ways to remove residual adhesive from tape from plastic:

  • Oil. In this case, sunflower oil is used. They moisten a cotton pad with it and wipe away dirt. After this, the oily sheen is washed off with warm water and soap.
  • White spirit. This is a solvent that is often used to remove paint. It is necessary to moisten the cloth with it and wipe off the dirt.
  • Hairdryer It is necessary to heat the glue with hot air and gently wipe it with the hard part of a kitchen sponge.
  • Eraser. Take regular grout and wipe off any remaining glue.

How and with what to clean white plastic on windows from sealant and polyurethane foam?

Polyurethane foam sticks quite strongly to plastic surfaces. But there is no need to scrape it with a knife. With the right approach, you can remove the remaining foam in a few minutes.

Foam removers:

  • Solvent. Apply any solvent to the foam and wait 15 minutes. Use the hard side of the sponge to remove any remaining foam.
  • Hot oil. Heat 100 ml of sunflower oil in a saucepan and saturate the fabric with it. Wipe the surface thoroughly.
  • Vinegar. It is advisable to knock off most of it with a knife, being careful not to touch the surface of the window. After this, vinegar is applied to the sponge and the remaining foam is removed. It is worth considering that you need to rub with the felt part of the sponge.
  • Dimexide. Quite a strange remedy that works. It is necessary to moisten cotton pads in it and leave it on a dirty surface. You need to wait 15-20 minutes. After this, scrub the surface thoroughly.

This paint washes off quite well with water. But to make the process easier and speed it up, wet the windows with water from a spray bottle and wait. After this, scrub with the hard side of a kitchen sponge. Do not use abrasive powders.



How and with what to clean the white plastic on the windows from construction putty?

Plaster can be gypsum, cement or lime. Regardless of the composition, it can be washed off the plastic profile with a damp cloth. If it has already dried, use a dry rag or spatula, depending on the degree of contamination. To avoid scratching the plastic, wrap the sharp edge of the spatula in a rag and clean off pieces of plaster, cutting it off right at the profile.

Very often, after installing plastic windows, adhesive tape remains on them. It prevents the plastic from scratches and other construction debris.

Removal options:

  • If after removing it there are sticky traces left, then try to remove them with white alcohol.
  • Pieces of adhesive tape can be removed with tape. You need to stick new tape to the dirty areas and press it against them. After this, tear off the tape. The dirt will remain on it.
  • If any printed marks remain, remove them with dishwashing detergent.


Often after repairs, traces of glue remain on the plastic. To remove them, use the following substances:

  • Anticlean
  • Petrol
  • Kerosene
  • Dimexide
  • Window cleaner

Saturate the fabric with any product and rub the stain.



Craftsmen often mark plastic windows with markers. Many people find it difficult to remove the marker, but it is actually easy to remove.

Options:

  • Hair fixation spray
  • Medical alcohol
  • Marker board cleaner
  • Nail polish remover


This happens if the plastic is old enough. But you shouldn’t be upset, this is nothing more than a raid. The dirt is not ingrained into the plastic and you can remove it.

Cleaning products:

  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Medical alcohol
  • Plastic cleaning products
  • Chlorine bleach

It is necessary to saturate the fabric with one of the liquids and rub the stain. After this, standard plastic washing is carried out using a soap solution.



How and with what to wash white plastic on windows from water deposits?

If there is a drain near your window, then most likely the windows will become covered with rust and limescale over time. It is worth noting that such contaminants cannot be removed with acids, as this will destroy the structure of the plastic. For this purpose, washing powder is used. Apply it for 15 minutes and moisturize. This is followed by washing with water. You can also use special cleaners for plastic.

To begin with, the soot is removed using a regular dry cloth. Just don't rub soot into the surface. After this, the window is washed with Fairy dishwashing liquid or Moreman.



This often happens with plastic on kitchen windows. Despite the presence of a hood, soot settles on the frames. Removing it is not at all easy.

Grease removers:

  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • White
  • Glass cleaner


For this it is better to use special tools:

  • Universal Proper
  • Cillit Bang
  • Sanita for the kitchen
  • Pemolux
  • Cosmofen 10


Zelenka is an aniline dye that strongly eats into the surface. You can remove the stain using some means.

Options:

  • Alcohol
  • Glass cleaning liquid
  • Nail polish remover
  • White alcohol
  • Wet wipes


White plastic is quite easily soiled, so various types of contaminants may remain on it; use our tips to remove them.

VIDEO: Ways to wash plastic

Plastic is a very popular material in industry and everyday life. It is affordable, lightweight, strong, durable. Things made of white plastic look especially beautiful, however, the trouble is that over time they lose their original shining white hue, changing it to yellow.

The reasons for the yellowness gradually acquired by white plastic products are numerous. There are a number of factors that influence the composition of plastic items. Before understanding these reasons, it is necessary to know what this commonly used material is made of.

Plastic consists of huge molecules - polymer chains held together. The nature of the adhesion of plastic macromolecules determines its physical characteristics, such as strength, resistance to surface fractures, temperature changes, and so on.

Plastic, like any other synthetic material, is subject to aging due to:

  • heat changes;
  • sunlight;
  • oxygen;
  • moisture;

The impact of the above factors leads to the disintegration of bonds between polymer macromolecules, and, accordingly, to a change in the physical properties of the plastic, including a change in color.

During production, some additives are added to it, namely: stabilizers, color pigments, plasticizers, modifiers to impart the desired properties to the product.

Additives used in the production of cheap plastic, as a rule, disintegrate extremely quickly, which leads to a change in the quality and color of the product.

How to bleach plastic at home

If a plastic product has turned yellow, there are ways to solve this problem at home using improvised means.

Preparing to remove yellow plaque

Before you start fighting yellowness, you need to prepare the surface of the product. Firstly, it is necessary to remove all surface contamination, in other words, wash it.

If the product consists of combined materials, for example: plastic and wood, it is advisable to dismantle all plastic parts to eliminate the possibility of damage to additional components.

Any product chosen to remove yellowness from a product must first be tested on the most inconspicuous area.

Ways to remove yellowness

  • Ethanol. The plastic surface is wiped with a soft cloth using ethyl alcohol.
  • Washing powder and baking soda in equal proportions. One tablespoon of each component is poured with half a liter of warm water. Wash the surface with the resulting solution.
  • Apply acetone or chlorine detergent to a rag and gently treat the surface. This method is very effective, but can sometimes damage the product.
  • Wipe the surface with hydrogen peroxide.
  • A solution of soda ash in water for cleaning.
  • Laundry soap soaked in water until viscous, applied to the surface and left for half an hour.

Cleaning from soot and grease

In addition to specialized products, they also use improvised products that can get rid of soot and grease deposited on the plastic surface. Wax-free polishes, liquid soap, dishwashing liquid, and surface cleaning gels that have a mild, harmless effect are suitable for this purpose.

Bleaching old plastic

Unfortunately, yellowing caused by aging of a plastic product is almost impossible to bleach, since aging is an internal process. But there are various types of sprays and aerosols on sale that will allow you not only to renew a yellowed product, but also to try your hand at design.

Whitening windows, sills and doors

Of course, for these purposes it is easiest and safest to use specialized sprays and cleaners sold specifically for these purposes.

But, if you don’t have them on hand, you can easily use wipes to clean computer equipment. They will gently clean the plastic window, window sill and door without damaging them.

Car cosmetics are also very effective in cleaning and refreshing windows and doors.

Appliances

Soap solutions, alcohols, perhydrol, and vinegar are perfect for bleaching washing machines, refrigerators and other equipment.

The most important thing is not to get carried away with all these means, as they can damage the surface, and with mechanical impact, scratch it.

Food grade plastic

Chemicals are not suitable for this type of plastic. To clean and bleach items, you can use baking soda or table salt in the form of an aqueous solution, which can be used to treat the item and leave it for an hour.

Bleaching clear plastic

Transparent plastic is usually made without the use of coloring agents. Therefore, the color change can be caused either by surface contamination, which can be removed using the methods listed above, or by changes in the internal structure, which, unfortunately, is irreversible.

How to protect plastic products from discoloration

  • plastic products do not like tobacco smoke, so you should not smoke in the house;
  • plastics must be protected from the sun;
  • plastic products should be washed with soft rags or sponges;
  • Regular wet cleaning should not be neglected, since surface dirt is firmly ingrained into the plastic.

The service life of plastic products largely depends on their handling. With regular care and adequate treatment, plastic items last a long time and do not change their color and other properties.

Plastic products are not afraid of moisture and can withstand the effects of acidic and alkaline substances. The material has a long service life and is widely used in a wide variety of industries. Caring for plastic products is simple and does not cause difficulties. But what to do if the plastic has turned yellow, how to bleach it to its original shade?

Preparing to remove yellow plaque

Housewives are usually upset by the untidy yellowness of white appliances, window sills, children's toys and various household items. What to do if the plastic turns yellow, how to bleach it? If you need to clean a structure consisting of several parts, disassemble it into parts. For example, it is much more convenient to clean a refrigerator by removing all the shelves and drawers. Start by removing the top layer of dirt. Wash the product or part with soapy water. Dishwashing liquid will also work. Try to visually assess how resistant the surface is to mechanical damage. The general rule is that it is better to wash glossy plastic with a soft sponge, while rough plastic can be rubbed with a brush. Sometimes the yellow tint disappears after regular washing. If this does not happen, you should try special remedies.

How to clean plastic from a layer of soot and grease?

Very often, plastic products that are constantly in the kitchen become covered with a layer of fat and soot. This coating looks like a solid yellow film and does not add neatness to the interior. Don’t panic, regular laundry soap will help you cope with the problem. Take half a block and grate it on a coarse grater. Pour hot water over soap shavings and stir. Treat contaminated surfaces with the resulting solution and leave for 30 minutes, then rinse with water. The secret of this recipe is very simple. Contains alkali. This substance is completely safe for plastic, but it can also remove grease and some other stubborn stains.

Alcohol will return the plastic to its original whiteness.

Very often, plastic products change color after many years of use. What to do if the plastic has turned yellow due to age, how to bleach it? Try one of the simplest and most reliable folk remedies. You will need alcohol, it is best to take medical alcohol. If it is not available, replacement with isopropanol or methanol is acceptable. We recommend carrying out work in a well-ventilated area. Alcohol must be applied to a piece of cloth and thoroughly wipe the yellowed areas of the plastic. It is advisable to use a cloth with a smooth texture; fleecy and terry fabrics will not work.

Secrets of whitening plastic windows

Plastic products can fade with constant exposure to ultraviolet light. In this case, the shades of colored plastics fade, and white objects may turn yellow. Plastic windows, which are so popular today, are not immune from such changes. Window sills and frames may turn yellow over time. How to bleach yellowed plastic in the sun, what is the best home remedy? Try mixing equal parts of any laundry detergent and baking soda. For 0.5 water, take a tablespoon of the prepared mixture. The solution is intended for soaking. When using this recipe to clean windows, apply the mixture liberally to the frames and window sills. Wash off after a couple of hours.

Universal folk recipes

How to bleach yellowed plastic on an air conditioner if the methods described above did not help? Try removing plaque with vinegar. Attention: you will need vinegar essence (70-80%), not food solution (9%). This substance is a concentrated acid. It should be used in rooms with good ventilation; be sure to protect your hands with thick gloves. Soak a cotton swab or sponge in vinegar essence and wipe the problem area.

Another radical way to bleach plastic is to soak it in chlorine. This option is suitable for small-sized items. Take any household product that contains plumbing solution or stain remover. Powders must be diluted according to the instructions; liquids can be used without adding water. Yellowed plastic products must be immersed in the solution and left for 5-10 hours. Convenient to soak in the evening and overnight. Chlorine is a powerful substance and can usually be used to whiten even very yellowed surfaces.

What to do if white plastic has turned yellow, how to bleach it? Tips for the lazy

You can return the original color to yellowed plastic products using special cleaning products. Try purchasing wet wipes for office equipment or the interior of your car. These accessories will help to effectively remove stubborn dirt and lighten the surface of the equipment by 1-2 tones. The most effective are special stain removers for plastic. They can be purchased at household appliance stores or in car care departments. Before use, be sure to read the instructions. Some formulations must be left on the surface for a few minutes, while others require cleaning to begin immediately after application.

How can you bleach yellowed plastic on a refrigerator if a significant surface area has yellowed? Often only a special spray can cope with such a problem. Industrially produced household chemicals have another undeniable advantage. Many plastic cleaners coat the surface of the product with a protective film to help keep it clean longer.

What to do if the plastic has turned very yellow, how to bleach it? If no means for cleaning a plastic product has helped, you can decide on an extreme method. Buy paint in aerosol format and simply paint over the yellowness. Often this option helps to save yellowed facades of household appliances and other large plastic interior items.

Plastic is a common material. It is used to produce household goods, windows, computer parts, and furniture. The material has one drawback - the ability to turn yellow.

Let's consider what to do if the plastic has turned yellow, how to bleach it at home.

Any white plastic will turn yellow over time. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, many substances are destroyed, including polyvinyl chloride. If the product is made from low-quality material, the process will go faster, as the dye and plasticizer evaporate.

Besides this, there are a number of other reasons:

  • Low-quality window structures made using complex technology. They consist of more than a dozen components that are responsible for the reliability and color of the product. Manufacturers want to reduce the cost of the product, so they save on mixture stabilizers and violate production technology;
  • Savings when creating plastic using white pigments of zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or lead. This raw material gives the product a white tint. Because of this, a yellowish tint begins to appear on the products after two to three years;
  • Light aging of material. It contains light stabilizers based on benzophenone or benzotriazole. Because of this, exposure to ultraviolet rays slows down. The process of yellowing of windows facing south will go faster than on the shady side;

If the windows face the sunny side, it is better to remove flowers from the windowsills, as yellow marks will remain on it very quickly
  • Terms of Use. Being near a highway and the influence of weather are also considered unfavorable factors. Due to temperature changes, the chemical and physical qualities of the material change. Cracks form and the color changes. This usually applies to budget PVC windows;
  • Wrong care. Some housewives make too much effort when caring, which negatively affects the product. Yellowing occurs due to solvents, strong alkali, acid;
  • Cigarette smoke and grease fumes in the dining area. These marks can be removed using detergents.

Important: When purchasing plastic windows, it is better to choose trusted manufacturers. The price will be higher, but the white color will remain for a long time. Usually the warranty period is 30-40 years, but even GOST standards allow that the shade may change during this time. Windows purchased from unscrupulous manufacturers often cannot be whitened. If low-quality plastic turns yellow, the process is irreversible.

Many people do not recommend purchasing windows from China and Turkey. It is necessary to check the quality certificate, which proves the reliability of the product. In the absence of this document, there is no need to take risks. In this case, the quality of the windows is usually low and you will soon have to make a new purchase.


Yellowed plastic looks untidy and dirty

Preparing for whitening

Before attempting to bleach plastic products at home, it is important to be properly prepared. To avoid damage and scratches, you should use only a soft sponge or special wipes against grease and dirt.

Important: To bleach yellowed plastic on a refrigerator, as well as on a microwave, washing machine, air conditioner and other household appliances, you need to remove fittings and small parts. They must be processed separately by soaking in a special solution.

The microwave oven or machine must be unplugged. Remove dirt and grime from the door, side panels or window frames. This is especially necessary if they are in the kitchen.

How to bleach plastic

Let's look at how to bleach yellowed plastic:

  • The most gentle method is to use laundry soap. It copes best with greasy deposits. Dissolve ½ piece of grated soap in water, dip a sponge into the solution, and wash the yellowed areas. Wait 30 minutes, rinse. To more effectively wash yellowed plastic, you should choose a product with a high percentage of fatty acids. This is indicated on the piece itself or on the package;
  • Solvents and alcohol. Ethanol works well to bleach yellow plastic. It is important to wear gloves when processing and open the windows. Soak a cloth in alcohol and treat the areas. The smell disappears over time. To speed up the process, you can use a mild, scented cleaning product. A solvent such as acetone is also used. You need to follow the same algorithm. If the shade of the product has not changed very much, nail polish remover containing acetone will do. These are aggressive agents that can change the shade of the plastic, so you should first test their effect on a small area;
  • Vinegar. This method is also considered gentle. Vapors are generated during operation, so special care must be taken. It is important to open the window and wear thick rubber gloves. For advanced cases, a more aggressive remedy is prepared. To do this, you need to mix liquid soap, baking soda and acetic acid, add a small amount of water. It is quite difficult to get rid of the smell of vinegar, so the method does not need to be used if the product has slightly yellowed;
  • Bleach and technical soda. These products are best used for removable plastic parts. A mixture of soda and powder for white clothes will be effective. Add 1 tbsp per liter of water. l. each ingredient. Soak for a quarter of an hour. Chlorine-based bleaches, such as Whiteness, are also suitable. The product is inexpensive but effective;

How to Whiten Plastic Using Baking Soda and Bleach
  • Hydrogen peroxide. Using this method, you can clean yellowed white plastic even in the most advanced cases. First you need to wipe it with a grease and dust remover. You need to process at least 3-4 times. You can mix peroxide with hair bleach. Mix 0.5 liters of water and 1 tbsp. l. each ingredient, wipe the yellowed coating;
  • Special napkins. You can buy special wipes for your keyboard and monitor in technical stores. They are impregnated with a composition that eliminates yellowing and cleans the surface;
  • Dye. This is a drastic method if other means do not help. It is better to choose aerosol paints. It is necessary to provide protection to the surface, which does not require painting, otherwise it can be damaged;
  • Powdered products and baking soda. It is not safe to try to wash yellowed plastic with abrasives, but if other methods do not work, you can use them. Pemolux does a good job.

Available products for bleaching plastic products

Professional ready-made products

If recently the white glossy plastic on windows or other products has turned yellow, and you are wondering how to whiten it, you can buy ready-made compounds. Many household chemical departments offer special products for cleaning plastic. They are used for heavy stains and bleaching. A common product is the Cosmoklar cleansing milk, its effective analogue Bauset, and the inexpensive Bon sprayer.

You can choose a universal product, such as Domestos, Cif, Grass, Garden, Meine Liebe sprays. Car stores also sell suitable products: Mafra, Profoam.


Professional products for whitening plastic

Prohibited means

Not suitable for cleaning plastic products:

  • Abrasives, metal brushes. They scratch the plastic, dust will accumulate in the damage and dirt will appear. It is very difficult to put such a product in order;
  • Strong acids and alkalis can damage the protective layer of plastic, which will harm the appearance of the product;
  • Melamine sponges are also considered an abrasive, as they scratch the surface;
  • Hot water causes yellowing and cloudiness.

To avoid damaging the plastic, it is better to choose gel or cream products

If plastic is properly cared for, yellowing can be prevented. A number of rules should be followed:

  • Periodically treat the surface with soapy water. Afterwards, wipe it dry with a clean cloth. For processing, you can use different detergents, for example, dishwashing gel and clothing powders. It is important to choose gel and liquid formulations;
  • Do not use abrasives as permanent maintenance products. Powders leave scratches on the coating that are invisible. Dirt accumulates in them, penetrating deeply over time;
  • Smoking near plastic is not recommended. Regardless of the quality of the coating, this will harm it;
  • Clean regularly. If you do not remove dirt from the plastic, yellowness appears. This is usually noticeable on window sills where flower pots are placed;
  • Apply polishes. They form an invisible film that provides protection from the negative influence of external factors;
  • Try not to leave stains. It is quite easy to wash off traces of food, but it is very difficult to remove paint from labels and magazines;
  • If possible, plastic products should be protected from the sun.

If you purchase high-quality products and provide them with proper care, they will retain their original appearance for a long time. It is important to start cleaning with a gentle method, and only as a last resort, when irreversible changes in the material have occurred, to use abrasives or paint. Work should be carried out with open windows and wearing protective gloves.

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Many pit bikes have white plastic, so to speak, the classic color option. And it looks fine and goes with any graphics. But, unfortunately, white plastic has a disgusting property - it quickly gets dirty from anything. In addition to the fact that after a year it begins to acquire a yellow tint, if you accidentally touch the plastic with oily hands, the oily traces will then be very difficult to remove, since the plastic somehow instantly absorbs it all.

In general, after a year, the plastic will significantly spoil the appearance of the pit bike. And in case of sale, many people look at the appearance, and the better it is, the easier and more expensive it can be sold)

For example, exactly the same story happened with my wing, and not with a Chinese moped. But the point is this: the plastic turns yellow and absorbs all sorts of rubbish into itself, and you can’t wash it off with just water and shampoo.

I hope you can see that the transition was deliberately left on the principle of what was then. As you can see, the plastic has returned from a yellow-green tint to its original white color.

Plastic can be cleaned very easily and cheaply. To do this, you will need about an hour and a half to cover all the plastic, a stiff brush and a simple cleaning agent with a fine abrasive. I used what I had on hand and that was Pemolux.

There is no need to add a lot of water; it is necessary that the abrasive included in the cleaning product does not completely dissolve. Well, rub-rub-rub in a circular motion! In general, the dirt is actually removed quite quickly. The essence of the whole action is that the abrasive removes from the plastic the very top layer into which all the dirt is absorbed.

There is a downside to all this, the plastic becomes uniformly matte, but I don’t see a problem with this, since even new plastic wears out within a week of use.

After probably 20 minutes the wing began to look very good)

By the way, to more effectively scrub away dirt, you can add a little detergent like Ferry to the abrasive, and it will clean even better)

Interestingly, after the original gloss is removed and the surface becomes matte, the dirt no longer eats in so much! I don’t know how to explain this, but the fact remains a fact.