Over time, aggressive cleaning products, heat and UV radiation will attack plastic and the plasticizers it contains will escape. The result: the material becomes brittle and fragile. In addition, it loses its elasticity and fades. Once this has happened, the plastic cannot be repaired and must be replaced.
High-quality plastic cleaners and care products prevent this irreversible process. They ensure that softeners do not escape from the material and guarantee a long service life. So there is no question: it is worth taking care of your plastic surfaces with a sustainable cleaner right from the start. This is the only way to prevent embrittlement and fading of the material in the long term.
How does plastic age?
In addition to the wrong cleaning agent, external influences are the main problem for the rapid aging of plastic.
Problem 1: The direct UV radiation
Direct sunlight causes the chemically bound plastic chains to break open, the colors in the material are destroyed and the material loses its elasticity and becomes brittle over time. This process is also called "embrittlement", which is accompanied by fading of the dyes.
Problem 2: The indirect UV radiation
Aggressive free radicals are formed as a result of indirect solar radiation. They also destroy the plastic chains. The consequences are the same as with direct UV radiation.
Problem 3: The loss of plasticizers
Plasticizers ensure that plastic remains elastic. If they escape from the material due to harmful influences such as chemicals or heat, embrittlement sets in. But don't worry: This process can be prevented with continuous and coordinated care.
How to protect plastic from aging?
Conventional care products for plastic do not penetrate deep enough into the material, but remain on the surface like a film. As a result, they cannot work optimally. In addition, they are quickly washed away again due to weather influences such as moisture and rain or when cleaning with water.
The natural ingredients of high-quality cleaning agents such as plant surfactants ensure mild cleaning. Subsequent plastic care with wool wax and beeswax, as contained in the Emma Grün car care lotion , encases the plastic chains and dyes on the inside. They practically complete the cleaning process. As a result, the material is optimally protected against harmful weather influences, plasticizers cannot escape and the elasticity of the plastic and the color intensity of the material are retained.
Why does white plastic yellow?
White plastic yellows for a variety of reasons. Because not only UV light and unsightly deposits of nicotine, fat and dirt particles, which eat into the material over time and cause the yellow veil, but also age make white plastic look old in the truest sense of the word.
If there is no regular cleaning, yellowing is very difficult to remove. Formerly white plastic then often looks dirty, unsightly and old. With the right cleaning agent or a few effective home remedies, however, you can quickly get rid of the terrible haze. You also protect the plastic surfaces from unsightly deposits from nicotine or dirt particles penetrating deep into the material.
If white plastic or PVC is cleaned regularly and all deposits are removed, the material has no chance of yellowing. The positive effect: White surfaces are preserved for years and always shine in new splendor. With the following tips, you can clean without effort and environmentally harmful chemicals.
Clean window frames: How to get yellowed windows blooming white again!
The fact is: there is nothing more unsightly than white surfaces that have yellowed. It doesn't matter whether it's doors, cupboards or windows: If there is a yellowish veil over them, action must be taken quickly. Because if you wait too long, the cleaning is a real tour de force and if you're unlucky, the material is already ruined. This must be prevented. The following home remedies will help you.
Baking powder & baking soda: Both natural blowing agents are real all-rounders when it comes to cleaning. You can also use them to make your yellowed window frames white again. To do this, mix baking soda or baking soda with a dash of vinegar and stir into a paste. You can then apply this to the frame and then leave it to work for a moment. Finally, wash off with a soft cloth and lukewarm water.
Citric acid: This home remedy also makes dirt and deposits disappear naturally. All you have to do is mix the citric acid with warm water, wet a soft sponge with the solution and remove the so-called "yellow" from the window frame with a microfibre cloth.
Good Tip: One thing that many of us still forget when cleaning windows is to first remove the fine dust that has accumulated everywhere. Dust particles can also cause small scratches on plastic or PVC. You should therefore always remove them with a soft cloth or feather duster before cleaning.
Cleaning plastic surfaces: Rough tools and aggressive cleaning agents are taboo!
Avoid harsh cleaning products or types that use abrasive particles to remove dirt and stains. Even normal kitchen sponges with a rough back, coarse cloths and cleaning cloths are not suitable for cleaning plastic. If they are used, they cause visible scratches on the sensitive material. They not only represent an optical flaw, but are also responsible for dirt being able to settle better and penetrate deeper into the material.
Soft sponges or microfiber cloths are the ideal cleaning companions to ensure that the feel of white plastic is not damaged and that it retains its colour. The same applies to detergents. For the love of the environment and your plastic objects, it makes sense to avoid chemical agents. Sustainable products are free from questionable ingredients. They are strong in their power and yet not aggressive. This is ensured by various home remedies that are perfectly combined to guarantee optimal cleaning and then perfect care.
