My white light switches have yellowed. What can I do?

HI. I WOULDJUST GET NEW ONES. ITS BETTER THAN USING A BUNCH OF EXPERIMENTAL THINGS TO CLEAN THEM. I HEARD OXY AND A BUNCH OF THINGS CLEAN THEM. I BOUGHT A BAG OF 12 AT THE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FOR $1.47. HAD TO REUSE MY SCREWS THO. I THINK SOMEONE BOT THESE BEFORE FOR THE SCREWS

Oh, dear, switch plates are less than $1 each, just replace them for total happiness.

Agreed replace them They are very inexpensive.

1. If they are vintage with embossed pattern or a bakelite, take them off and soak in clorox solution or almost any household cleaner, toothbrush scrub them with borax or light abrasive if need be. polish with clear paste wax. If newer, toss and purchase new ones you like. Go online and see some very fancy ones.
2. And you can always paint them or cover them with applique papers, fabric or plastics.

they yellow from heat and age!replace

Definitely worth replacing for prices like these! http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-1-Gang-Toggle-Wall-Plate-White-R52-88001-00W/100014221

You could cover them with contact paper or wallpaper.

It is not the plates that have yellowed, it is the actual flat on/off switch. One of them has multiple swithes, including a dimmer...the dimmer has not yellowed, the rest of the switches have yellowed and the plate is still white. It is not from age, as we built the house and within 2 years they were yellowed. The electrician replaced most of them(until his supply ran out) and they yellowed as well.

You can paint those as well.

Thanks...do you have a recommendation for what kind of paint to use? oil or waterbed? Have you done it, or do you know someone that has?

Hope you figured out that I meant waterbed.

They are not expensive just turn off the power when you switch them out

I have the exact same issue! It's from UV light. Did you ever find a solution for yellowed switches other than painting them? Or what brand to use that won't yellow? Mine are rocker panel switches.

wipe them with a rag soaked in carpet shampoo

Plastic yellows with age.

You could try to paint them with enamel paint, after cleaning them with acetone.

I can only say that I too have yellowed receptacles! I can only guess that it’s from very strong sunlight - unless my electrician installed a different colored plate than socket but my interior rooms or those hidden by furniture are more white. If that is possible then replacing them wouldn’t help.

could my guess possibly be accurate…? Thought welcome

Some folks dress up their light switches with contact paper.

You could decoupage them, or just replace them.

Hi Phil, You an easily paint these to freshen them up. First set up a flashlight/battery lantern in the room you are working in. Then turn off the power before starting, take off the plate by removing the screw(s) that hold it on. put painter's tape over the wiring around the toggle, then paint the toggles to match the plate, remove the painter tape carefully before they dry. Let dry completely, then reassemble by putting the plate back on and turn the power back on. It is possible, if you are very careful, to do this without turning off the power. Hope this helps you out.