How and what can restore the snow-white color of plastic in the refrigerator and window sills: methods available to everyone

White plastic looks spectacular in the interior, but it has one unfortunate property: it turns yellow over time. And it can do so unevenly, in spots. Under the influence of, for example, direct sunlight. Other factors that lead to this are sudden changes in temperature, exposure to substances that can stain the plastic, cigarette smoke, etc.

Even the most expensive interior cannot avoid elements made of white plastic, because it is used in many household appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners. It is also used to make windows and window sills, doors, kitchen and garden chairs, and many other things. Does this mean that they are all doomed to turn yellow over time and ruin the look of your home? Actually, no. OBOZREVATEL has collected several ways to whiten plastic, including without the use of aggressive chemicals.

Baking soda

There seems to be no household problem that cannot be solved with baking soda. It whitens plastic in tandem with laundry detergent. Mix a tablespoon of both products and dissolve them in 500 ml of warm water. This liquid should be applied to the window sill and left for 6 hours (for example, overnight), then rinsed off with a damp sponge.

Chalk

If the problem cannot be cleaned with an abrasive, chalk can be used, but it is better to mix it with tooth powder. Take the crushed chalk and tooth powder in equal proportions and add water to them to make a paste. It should be applied to the stain and, if necessary, rubbed a little. Important: rub gently and without pressure, as plastic can be easily scratched. This paste can also be left on the stain for a while and then gently rinsed off.

Hydrogen peroxide

This liquid is an active bleach in itself. It also works with plastic. It does not harm the material. Just apply the peroxide to the yellowed area and rinse it off after a while. An important caveat is that pharmacy peroxide will be ineffective. A pool disinfectant is better suited.

Laundry soap

Thanks to its detergent properties, this grandmother's remedy will cope well with yellow plaque and will not damage the plastic. Just dissolve half a bar of soap in 150 ml of water. The resulting soapy water should be applied to the stains for 20 minutes and then rinsed off. You can also rub the stain with a soft cloth or sponge. The plaque should come off easily.

Next, let's talk about more aggressive products that should be used with caution. All of them can damage some types of plastic, so they should be tested in an inconspicuous area first. If the structure of the plastic has changed, it is better to refuse this product.

Bleach

Conventional chlorine-based bleach can help with some types of plastic. For example, to restore the whiteness of containers, you can prepare a solution in the proportion of one tablespoon of bleach and a tablespoon of baking soda per liter of water. Plastic products can be soaked in this liquid overnight, and then rinsed thoroughly under cold water.

Dimexide

A medicine that relieves pain and inflammation in muscles and joints has also proven to be a very effective plastic bleach. In this case, it should be handled with gloves only. Apply a few drops of dimex on a sponge or cloth and wipe the yellowed plastic. For stubborn stains, you can apply lotions made of cotton pads moistened with dimex and keep them on for about 10 minutes. After that, wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

Vinegar

Another top home cleaning product. However, unlike soda, it can damage some types of plastic. And its use is as simple as possible: apply, leave for a while, and rinse.

Alcohol

Alcohol not only disinfects surfaces but can also whiten them. But not all types of plastic can tolerate it well.

Acetone

Acetone is only suitable for solvent-resistant plastics, so use it with great care. An alternative is a less aggressive nail polish remover that does not contain acetone. But it also needs to be tested for interaction with the surface.