How to Clean Styrofoam

How to Clean the Outside of a Mobile Home
Written By
Leah Newman
Leah Newman
Published: Apr 15, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Things You Will Need

  • Bucket
  • Dish Soap
  • Hose
  • Soft sponge
  • Large towel

Because of the physical and chemical properties of styrofoam, though, you need to be very careful what chemicals are used to clean it. Some chemicals act as solvents on styrofoam, and can damage or dissolve the material. Use only regular dish soap to clean styrofoam.

  1. Place a garden hose into a bucket, and turn on the water.

  2. Squeeze three to five drops of dishwashing detergent into the stream of water as the bucket fills.

  3. Turn off the water when the bucket is approximately 3/4 full.

  4. Dip the soft sponge in the bucket until wet, then gently clean the styrofoam until clean.

  5. Rinse out the sponge using the hose, and rinse the soap from the styrofoam using the sponge.

  6. Spread the towel on the ground or a table in the sun. Place the styrofoam on the towel to dry.

  7. Allow the styrofoam to sit in the sun for two to three hours to completely dry.

Photo Credits

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Leah Newman

Leah Newman has been a professional writer since 1999, writing about fine arts both in print and online. She specializes in how-to articles covering DIY projects. Newman holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Georgia…

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