How to Clean a Clear Phone Case (6 Effective Methods)

Almost everyone uses a phone case, whether it be the most basic or elaborate phone case, there is no doubt that the main purpose of a case is to protect your phone.

But phone cases are not just used for protection anymore. Some people use them to make their phones more aesthetically pleasing, and clear phone cases allow one to show off their phone while still protecting it from drops and scratches.

Clear phone cases are very popular, but they are also the toughest cases to keep clean. Due to their clearness, any little stain or discoloration can easily be seen on your case.

This article will teach you how to clean a clear phone case so that no one will ever judge how dirty (or yellow) your case is again!

Why Do Clear Cases Get Yellow

While the most logical answer might be that the dirt and bacteria from your hands get transferred to your case and cause it to discolor, the real cause of discoloration is actually not that simple.

Clear phone cases tend to yellow because of how they are made! The material used to make clear phone cases is clear plastic, usually polycarbonate, TPU, or a blend of the two. This material is very sensitive to sunlight and UV exposure. When light and oxygen are present, the process of photo-oxidation of polymers takes place. This process makes your clear case and any other clear plastic items brittle and is often the real cause of discoloration.

Surely the dirty hands and your skin’s natural oils can also contribute to how fast your clear case becomes dirty, but the main cause is how the material reacts to light.

How to Clean a Clear Phone Case

While you may feel the damage is done and you can’t reverse the process of photo-oxidation, the good news is that you can! When your clear case has been damaged by sun exposure, you need to use chemicals (like bleach or hydrogen peroxide) to fix that. When you just want to clean your clear phone case from dirt and bacteria, you can easily use natural solutions!

Here are six options for cleaning a clear phone case that you may choose from, based on whether you want to get rid of yellow or just any dirt and stains.

#1 How to Clean a Clear Phone Case With Hydrogen Peroxide

Works for: getting rid of yellow discoloration, removing dirt and stains

What you’ll need:

• Container
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Paper towels
• Water

To use this method to clean a clear phone case, follow these steps:

1. Pour enough hydrogen peroxide into a container so that your phone case can be submerged in it completely.
2. Place your phone case into the hydrogen peroxide. You may need to pour more hydrogen peroxide if it is not enough to cover your case.
3. Take the container and put it near the window to expose it to sunlight.
4. Let the case soak for at least 2-3 hours. You will see when the plastic starts to clear up.
5. Take out your phone case and rinse it under running water.
6. Dry it with a paper towel.

#2 How to Clean a Clear Phone Case With Bleach

Works for: getting rid of yellow discoloration, removing dirt and stains

What you’ll need:

• Bleach
• Water
• Container
• Dish soap
• Paper towels
• Protective gloves

To use this method to clean a clear phone case, follow these steps:

1. Put on your protective gloves.
2. In the container, make a solution of water and bleach in 8:1 ratio. (For 1 part of bleach, add 8 parts of water).
3. Soak your phone case in the solution.
4. Let the case soak for at least 2 hours. You will see when the plastic starts to clear up.
5. Put the gloves back on and take the case out of the container.
6. Rinse it under running water and use a small amount of dish soap to get rid of the bleach.
7. Dry your phone case with paper towels.

#3 How to Clean a Clear Phone Case With Vinegar and Baking Soda

Works for: removing light yellow discoloration, removing dirt and light stains

What you’ll need:

• Container
• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Sponge or a toothbrush
• Water
• Paper towels

To use this method to clean a clear phone case, follow these steps:

1. In the container, mix even amounts of vinegar and water. You should have enough liquid to submerge your phone case.
2. Add up to 5 tablespoons of baking soda. The bigger container you have, the more baking soda you need.
3. Submerge your case in the solution.
4. Let the case soak for at least an hour. You will see when the plastic starts to clear up.
5. Take out your phone case and brush it with a toothbrush or a sponge.
6. Rinse it thoroughly under running water.
7. Dry your case with paper towels.

#4 How to Clean a Clear Phone Case With Dish Soap

Works for: removing dirt and light stains

What you’ll need:

• Dish soap
• Sponge
• Water

To use this method to clean a clear phone case, follow these steps:

1. Rinse your phone case under running water.
2. Apply some dish soap on your sponge.
3. Scrub the phone case thoroughly.
4. Rinse it under running water.
5. Dry it with paper towels.

#5 How to Clean a Clear Phone Case With Acetone

Works for: removing dirt and light stains

What you’ll need:

• Cotton pads
• Pure acetone
• Water
• Paper towels

To use this method to clean a clear phone case, follow these steps:

1. Take a cotton pad and apply acetone to it.
2. Use the cotton pad to clean your phone case.
3. If you have stubborn stains on your case, put some acetone on the stain and let it sit for 5 minutes.
4. Take a clean cotton pad doused in water, and wipe off the acetone on your case.
5. Dry it with paper towels.

#6 How to Clean a Clear Phone Case With Lemon Juice

Works for: removing dirt and light stains

What you’ll need:

• Cotton pads
• Lemon juice
• Water
• Paper towels

To use this method to clean a clear phone case, follow these steps:

1. Apply lemon juice to a cotton pad.
2. Use the cotton pad to clean your phone case.
3. Take a clean cotton pad doused in water, and wipe off the lemon juice on your case.
4. Dry it with paper towels.

These are the methods you can use to clean a clear phone case. While these methods are effective for removing the stains and discoloration once or twice, unfortunately, you still can’t make your case live forever. Like with almost every plastic item, the clear phone cases need to be replaced after a few years.

Best Clear Phone Cases (That Won’t Turn Yellow)

The best way to guarantee that your phone case doesn’t turn yellow even after a few years of usage is to get one made from other material than polycarbonate. Luckily, there are many clear phone cases available that are made of different materials and are super long-lasting and durable.

Spigen Quartz Hybrid

Spigen Quartz Hybrid is my go-to! I’ve used this phone case for 2 years now and it’s as clear as it was the day I bought it. This phone case’s backside is made from tempered glass so it’s not sensitive to UV exposure like cases made from polycarbonate. I really suggest you check this case out if you want your phone case to be clear forever.

CASEKOO Crystal Clear 

I’ve heard good things about CASEKOO’s phone cases, but I haven’t used them myself. The CASEKOO Crystal Clear is a plastic hard-shell clear case that has different color variations. They are a bit pricier, but the ratings are high so people must be really satisfied with how it holds up over time. If you’re not a fan of tempered glass phone cases, you can give this one a try!

I hope you found this article helpful! Let me know in the comments if you have any tips on how to clean a clear phone case using other methods!