Plastic is a very convenient and durable material; it's no coincidence that many kitchen containers for storing food are made from it. While it's a durable material, plastic also tends to deteriorate, stain, or yellow over time, especially if we're talking about containers that come into contact with food. Despite being a very durable material, even plastic can deteriorate and change color, lose its initial shine, and take on an old, neglected, and certainly unattractive appearance. Can we restore dull and yellowed plastic objects to new condition? If they don't have any cracks (potentially dangerous due to microplastics), you can easily bleach your containers to eliminate or at least reduce the unsightly yellow color. And we're not talking about using chemical bleaches, but rather homemade methods that involve the use of common household ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide. These can be used on your containers or any plastic object you want to give a new shine to, such as tables or garden chairs. Let's see in detail how to do it.
1. Baking Soda and Bleach
One of the easiest and quickest ways to restore yellowed plastic's shine is to use a solution of bleach, water, and baking soda. Prepare by wearing gloves and a protective mask to avoid contact with the bleach, then mix one liter of water with one liter of mild bleach, then add two tablespoons of baking soda. Then, scrub the yellowed area you want to treat with an abrasive sponge dipped in the solution and wrung out. It's recommended to repeat the process several times until the plastic is white again, as good as new.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a perfect remedy for yellowed plastic, as it removes those annoying yellow stains in just a few minutes. This method is even easier: all you have to do is clean the items with dish soap and then immerse them in a solution of one liter of water and two measures of hydrogen peroxide. Soak the items for two hours, then let them dry in a place away from sunlight. Again, we recommend wearing protective gloves.
3. Vinegar
You probably already know that vinegar is one of the best products you can have in your home, useful not only for cooking but also for cleaning, as it is a natural detergent thanks to the acetic acid it contains. Vinegar is also useful for cleaning yellowed plastic containers: in a basin, mix a liter of water and a liter of vinegar, leave the container you want to clean to soak overnight, making sure it is completely covered, and after the necessary time, clean the container with water and a drop of dish soap. If the yellow stains are numerous and you can't remove them this way, enhance the effect of the vinegar with other ingredients that reinforce its action, for example lemon, salt, or baking soda.
4. Marseille Soap
This tip may surprise you, but Marseille soap is actually very useful for removing yellow stains, not only from kitchen containers but also when whitening patio furniture. Make a solution of hot water and Marseille soap, scrub vigorously with a dish sponge to remove the stains and restore the original whiteness. Then clean with a microfiber cloth and rinse with plain water; for particularly stubborn stains, repeat the process several times.
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