How to Clean Yellowed Plastic Solar Lights?

If you’ve ever owned solar lights, you know the problem of yellow oxidation. This is when the plastic begins to turn yellow-brown upon exposure to light and is not attractive at all. The good news is that you can fix this problem by using a homemade oxidation removal solution.

Tools And Materials Required

1. Microfiber towels or clean soft cloth
2. Rubber gloves pair
3. Sponge
4. Clean water
5. Water container
6. Paper towels
7. Shallow bowl
8. Safety goggles (optional)
9. Mask (optional)
10. Plastic cling wrap (optional)
11. Adhesive tape (optional)

I must stress the importance of gloves, safety glasses, and masks. You’ll be working with hydrogen peroxide, so you’ll need to protect yourself from possible soft tissue and skin irritation. If you follow these steps, your solar lights should look as good as new.

How To Clean Yellow Plastic Solar Lights

Examine Your Solar Lights

Part of cleaning solar lights is assessing the level of yellowness. If the oxidation is so severe that you can barely see the bulb inside the lamp, a simple hydrogen peroxide bleaching solution may be insufficient. Check the plastic for cracks, holes, or signs of damage. You will apply wet paper towels and wash the solar light, increasing the risk of moisture getting inside the solar light.

Wear Your Safety Gear

Experts say that we should take precautions when handling hydrogen peroxide because it has irritating effects on the skin and mucous membranes. That’s why you should always put on your gloves before preparing the hydrogen peroxide solution. Even though the hydrogen peroxides we’re going to use to clean the yellow plastic light cover is only 3 percent, I still recommend using gloves.

Pro tip: To be safe, you can also wear gloves and a mask. Hydrogen peroxide can irritate the lining of your eyes, mouth, and nose if droplets enter these parts of the body.

Make a Hydrogen Peroxide Solution

Take a small bucket or a large bowl and fill it with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Add a quarter teaspoon of oxygenated laundry booster to make your basic solution. Oxygenated laundry booster adds oxygen molecules to hydrogen peroxide because it is only 3%. If you use industrial-strength hydrogen peroxide, the oxygen concentration will be higher.

Pro tip: You can add an oxygenated laundry booster to a container of hydrogen peroxide, making sure to use the correct ratio of ¼ teaspoon per gallon. Doing this gives you enough hydrogen peroxide solution for several cleaning sessions.

Clean the Surface

Wipe off any surface contamination with a soft cloth or a clean piece of dry microfiber cloth. Before starting the stain removal process, you’ll want the surface to be clean and free of dirt. Wet the sponge in the soapy water solution and squeeze out the excess cleaner. Clean the surface of the sun, ensuring full coverage. Repeat this process two to three times before drying it using a microfiber cloth.

Pro tip: Air drying is best because it doesn’t scratch the surface. If you are in a hurry, you can dry the surface with a soft cloth.

Wear Your Safety Gear

Oxygenated laundry booster adds oxygen molecules to hydrogen peroxide because it is only 3%. If you use industrial-strength hydrogen peroxide, the oxygen concentration will be higher. Apply paper towels soaked in hydrogen peroxide to the plastic solar light. Transfer the hydrogen peroxide solution into a fine bowl. Soaking several pieces of paper towels in the solution, soaking out excess solution. Carefully place each hydrogen peroxide-soaked paper towel in sunlight. Make sure the paper towels are on the surface of the plastic.

Pro tip: Protect paper towels with plastic wrap. If you don’t have one, you can tape paper towels around the solar light.

Consent It Under the Sun

If the plastic solar lights have a slight yellow tint, you can leave the paper towels out for about two to six hours. For more severe blemishes, you can leave them on for up to four days. This solution is feasible for up to 96 hours. If you still feel yellow in the solar lights after four days, you can repeat steps 5 and 6. Be sure to leave paper towels in direct sunlight.

Pro tip: You can use artificial ultraviolet light at night. The best options are incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent lamps. Ultraviolet radiation accelerates the whitening process.

Rinse Thoroughly

Soak a sponge or microfiber cloth in soapy water to remove excess. Clean the solar light, making sure you remove all residue. You may have to do this several times before washing the solar light with a sponge wet with clean water. If this is deficient, you can wash the solar light with soapy water before rinsing it with clean water. It is best to take care during this stage to prevent the water from being exposed to sunlight.

You Can Clean All Types Of Solar Lights

This cleaning technique can be used on a wide range of solar lights, including:

1. Solar Deck Lights: Deck lights are exposed to the elements, and can become dirty or stained as a result. If your deck lights have turned yellow, cleaning them will restore their color.
2. Solar Fence Lights: Fence lights are completely exposed, meaning they can easily get dirty or yellow over time.
3. Solar Disc Lights: Disc lights are a unique type of solar light that can be used in a variety of ways. If they’ve turned yellow over time, cleaning them with this guide will bring their color back to life.
4. Solar Spotlights: Spotlights are a great way to brighten up an area, and if they turn yellow over time, you can clean them using this guide.
5. Solar Pool Lights: Pool lights are completely submerged in water, so if they have turned yellow over time, cleaning them this way will restore them to their original color.
6. Solar Step Lights: Step lights are installed on steps to provide additional lighting and safety. Cleaning your step lights with this technique will restore their color if they are damaged or yellowed over time.
7. Solar dock lights: Dock lights are fixed on docks to make them more evident. If your dock lights are stained or yellowed, cleaning them this way will restore their color.
8. Solar Driveway Lights: Driveway lights are installed along the driveway to make them more visible, especially at night. If your driveway lights have become stained or yellowed over time, cleaning them like this will restore their color.
9. Solar Post Cap Lights: Post cap lights are mounted on top of posts to provide additional lighting. If your post cap lights have become discolored or yellowed over time, scrubbing them with this guide will return their color.
10. Solar Landscape Lights: Landscape lights are installed in yards to highlight specific areas or features, and if they turn yellow over time, cleaning them with this guide can restore the color.
11. Solar Porch Lights: Porch lights are a great way to brighten up your front porch, and if they’ve faded over time, cleaning them with this guide will bring their color back to life.

Conclusion

Knowing how to clean yellow plastic solar lights can help you keep your solar lights in top working condition. You see, oxidation can affect your device’s UV absorption capabilities. Keeping it in pristine condition can help you enjoy all the benefits of free light.