How to Clean Discolored Vent Caps With Hydrogen Peroxide
There is a difference between dirt and discoloration, and plastic vent caps can be both. While air vent covers are made of metal in many homes, plastic is also fairly common. And one of the disadvantages of white plastic vent caps is that they turn yellow and discolor over time.
If this happens, no amount of elbow grease or cleaner will instantly return them to their original color, but it looks like a little hydrogen peroxide soak can help. In the USA Today video for the Problem Solved vertical, reporter Christopher Juniel demonstrates how to do it and explains why it even happens. Here’s what you need to know.
How to use hydrogen peroxide to whiten discolored plastic vent caps
So why are the white plastic vent caps gradually changing shades of yellow and beige? According to Juniel, this is the result of prolonged exposure to the sun. And since there are always vents on the exposed wall of your wall, this really cannot be avoided.
Here’s what to do, courtesy of Juniel in this video :
- Start by removing the plastic vent caps. In most cases, they are attached to the wall with two screws, so a screwdriver should be all you need to get this part of the job done.
- When they come down, carefully clean the ventilation covers. This means getting rid of dirt, dust or other debris stuck between the grates or around the edges. When you’re done, rinse one last time.
- Find containers – ideally with lids – large enough to accommodate the ventilation lids. Place them in containers and pour over hydrogen peroxide until they are completely submerged in water.
- Place the lid on the container and let it sit in the sun for several hours. Check them back periodically to see how much progress they have made.
- Once they turn white again (or at least turn less yellow than before), quickly rinse the vent caps and let them dry.
- Finally, reattach the ventilation covers to the wall.
Even if this method doesn’t return your plastic vent caps to their original white color that you purchased out of the box, it’s easy and cheap enough to try.