With a simple action, discolored outlets can look as good as new. Here’s what I rely on to clean them…
Recently, I peeled a label off my sewing machine, and it became obvious how much it had yellowed. The bright white rectangle revealed just how everything wears out over time. The machine used to be completely white, though I regularly wipe it down to remove dirt and dust.
Then, I recalled that a friend who installs plastic windows had informed me that window sills can be whitened using a solution of carbon dioxide. You can purchase this product from a pharmacy.
Immediately, my gaze landed on the aged, yellowed outlets and switches that have been a part of our home for 15 faithful years since its construction. They still work perfectly but have turned yellow over time.
We eventually replaced most of the outlets and switches but kept the sturdiest ones.
I bought the solution at the pharmacy for 55 rubles and decided to test it. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting any amazing results. But I decided to give it a try anyway.
Dimexide doesn’t have a strong smell; it’s liquid and transparent. I put it on a cloth and began wiping the switch. To my surprise, with each swipe, the plastic became whiter.
In the end, it worked perfectly. No other cleaning product whitens plastic like this.
What’s more, it cleans in just a few minutes and requires very little effort.
You just need to place paper around the switch to avoid getting the wallpaper wet. But even if it gets on the wallpaper, once it dries, it doesn’t leave any marks.
The best approach is to unscrew the plastic parts and clean them separately.
The yellowing residue remains on the cloth.
Dimexide is concentrated, so it works the same when diluted 1:1 with water.
It’s best to clean while wearing gloves because the product dries out the skin. My fingers became very dry after using it.
Curious, I looked up what dioxide is used for. It turns out it’s an anti-inflammatory medication that relieves pain.
And in everyday life, it removes yellowing and refreshes plastic.
