Practical tips

This affordable product is a great alternative to white vinegar and is perfect for cleaning yellowed doors.

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Thanks to this product that everyone has at home, you can easily bring back the shine to yellowed doors.

It’s inevitable that doors, whether plastic, wooden or painted, will yellow over time, especially those that are exposed to sunlight or humidity. This discolouration, which is particularly noticeable on white doors, can make your interior look a bit neglected, even if everything else is in good condition.

When faced with this problem, many people often turn to classic solutions like white vinegar, which is great for cleaning. However, there is another everyday product that can work even better and is even more effective. I’m willing to bet you have it in your home: toothpaste.

The toothpaste you use every day to make your teeth shine has mild abrasive properties that can also be effective for other types of cleaning. Its whitening action, which is usually designed to keep your smile shiny, can also bring back the whiteness of a PVC, lacquered wood or white painted door that has lost its lustre over time.

Toothpaste works so well because of what it’s made of. Most toothpastes contain baking soda, which is a mild abrasive, as well as whitening agents and surfactants. This blend not only helps to remove the build-up of dirt and grime on the surface, but also helps to restore the shine. Toothpaste is great for cleaning delicate materials like lacquered wood or PVC because it’s not too harsh.

The application is really straightforward and you don’t need any special equipment. I’ll show you how to do it:

  1. When it comes to toothpaste, it’s all about choosing the right one for the job. Opt for a white toothpaste, ideally without gel or coloured particles that could stain the surface. Classic toothpaste, even the cheaper options, works really well.
  2. Just take a little toothpaste and put it straight onto the yellowed areas of the door. You can use a soft cloth or a damp sponge to spread the product evenly. Just make circular motions and gently rub the surface.
  3. Then just leave it for 15 minutes.
  4. Then just wipe off the toothpaste with a clean, damp cloth. Just make sure you get rid of any residue, as it can leave a film if you don’t rinse it off properly.
  5. Finally, give the door a quick wipe with a dry cloth to get rid of any remaining moisture and bring back that lovely shine.
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The yellowing can vary quite a bit, so you might need to do more than one application. Keep going until you get the result you’re after. Just a heads-up: If you’re working on painted doors, be sure to take care not to remove the paint. Just to make sure, check the effect on an inconspicuous area.