Clear Cases and Yellowing

The 3 main factors that cause cases to turn yellow

If you've had clear cases that either turned yellow right away or took a long time, here are the key factors that can speed up the yellowing process exponentially:

1. Ultraviolet light

Just like their effect on our skin, the sun’s rays can age your clear case and turn it yellow. In this case, UV oxidation occurs, causing discoloration and imperfections.

2. Oils from skin and products

It’s unavoidable, right? The only way to use a phone is to put it in direct contact with some of the most oily and product-ridden parts of our bodies – our faces and hands. Even if you don’t wear makeup or put lotion on, your body produces natural oils that can speed up the yellowing process of your phone case over time.

3. Excessive heat

A surefire way to degrade the silicone in clear cases is to expose them to heat. Unfortunately, unless you live in an arctic tundra, the opportunity for heat-induced degradation is pretty much everywhere.

Don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom. Although some causes of yellowing are an inescapable part of our everyday lives, the good news is that now we know about them – and knowledge is power. Knowing the causes gives us a leg-up on practicing ways to avoid it. So if you don't own one of our non-yellowing clear cases, let’s look at a few things you can do to keep your case clearer longer.

3 ways to help keep your clear case from yellowing:

1. Clean regularly

Make it a weekly – or even daily – routine. The great thing about most clear cases is that they’re designed in one easy-to-remove piece. Make it a habit when you’re getting ready for bed to simply remove your phone case and give it a good wash with soap and water. Try washing it right before you go to sleep so the oils from your hands don’t sit on it overnight.

 2. Stay cool

The next time you’re headed to the beach, sitting by a bonfire, or cooking in the kitchen, try to make sure your phone is kept in a cool place. Not only is this recommended for the safety and functionality of your smartphone, but it’ll help with case yellowing as well.

3. Reduce oils

Let’s face it, you’re not going to stop using your face cream or favorite moisturizer for a phone case – and you shouldn’t have to. But consider using speakerphone when talking to friends and family at home. When not at home, use earbuds or headphones with a built-in microphone. Most of today’s smartphones have voice command and talk to text functionalities – use them!

If you’re past the point of prevention and your case has already turned yellow (and you're not ready to trade it in for one of ours just yet), there may still be hope. These cleaning methods may not completely clear up your phone case, but they may help to reduce that dingy color.

 1. Magic Eraser 

Yes, those magic erasers you typically use on your walls. Their micro structure is perfect for removing stains, grime, and tough substances. They basically act as an extremely fine sandpaper that rubs off the surface layer that often holds most stains and discoloration.

 2. Soak in Bleach Water

Bleach won’t reverse oxidation, but its inherent whitening ability may be the ticket for removing unwanted coloration. Just be sure to dilute the bleach, wear gloves, and protect your hands when working with this corrosive agent.

3. Rubbing Alcohol

Known for its strong decontamination ability, rubbing alcohol is also commonly used to clean many technical devices and piece of equipment. Its strong aptitude for removing scuffs and stains could help to get your case looking like new.

If all else fails, then consider researching and buying a clear case that’s known for not turning yellow in the first place. The truth is, there are certain elements in each of our environments that can cause even the best quality clear phone case to discolor. However, buying quality from the start can save you time, money and headache in the long run.

If all else fails, then consider buying a SUPCASE! Containing no silicone, our clear cases are made of unbending polycarbonate and a unique TPU blend with special additives that prevent aging.

Not only do we offer completely clear bumper cases like the UB Style for iPhone 12, we're also the first to offer a completely clear, drop-proof rugged case like the UB Pro for iPhone 12, Galaxy Watch, Apple Watch, and more. That's a clear case you can trust to not turn yellow AND guard your most valuable devices with award-winning drop protection!