Caroline94535

Several years ago, after FIL died, MIL insisted I take a very large, unopened, box of Polident tablets home. Neither DH or myself have dentures or partials, but she really insisted.

I learned they are most excellent for cleaning narrow vases, teapots and their spouts, thermal jugs, coffee makers - all sorts of hard-to-reach and easily stained items.

Would it be possible to clean old presser feet with them? Or would it be safer to stick to Evapo-Rust?

Mickey2

I have never used evaporust (nor polident), but does it clean as well as remove rust? For metal feet you can clean them with most water based soaps and detergents, I have even had them in hot water and white wash powder for clothes (exceptionally grimy case). If they soak for a while, then rinse and dry them they should not get damaged. Nickle will not rust, neither will chrome but those bluish metal parts can, so don't every put them though the dish washer or let them soak for a very long time. Unless it's very acidic I don't think polydent should do any harm at least.

Caroline94535

With the bluish metal parts be harmed by Evapo-Rust?

Mickey2

I have no idea, only the bluish look I imagine if at all. I have had a few rust spots on ruflers and binders and I used steel wool to get it off. It leaves a slight visible mark where the rust was, but luckily an even smooth surface.

Cactus Stitchin

Polident is wonderful for cleaning clogged shower heads as well. Just put two tablets in a bowl/bucket of water large enough to cover the shower head. Let soak overnight and it will the shower head will not be clogged any longer. It does not damage the shower head at all.

OurWorkbench

I don't think I would clean vintage metal bits with Polident - (I've heard it is good for toilets, too) I wonder if it would work for the yellow plastic pieces on vintage machines. Evapo-Rust will clean the rust off, but tends to leave a dark spot where the rust was. I like using Oxi-clean or even Citric Acid to clean presser feet, and other metal bits off a machine. I cleaned a vintage hand drill with Oxi-clean that I wanted to use to make twisted cord with. Part of it was painted and the Oxi-clean took the paint off.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Rodney

I use rubbing alcohol to clean the metal parts that come off the machine. It works wonders for dissolving dried on oil.
One warning: Don't let it get on the machine itself. Alcohol dissolves shellac and can harm your finish.
Rodney

tessagin

I have used it for different things but not my denture.

J Miller

The bluish metal parts are a chemical oxidation, exactly like the blue finish on firearms. Evapo-Rust will remove this very quickly.

I've tried the denture cleaner for something, but darn it I'm drawing a blank on what. I do remember that the results >>>>>> Oh it was carbon disks for a foot controller >>>> anyway the results were not good.

As for the metal feet I clean them in machine oil unless they are really caked in shellac'd oil then I use gun cleaning solvent.

Joe

Caroline94535

Well, that problem is solved. I will reserve the Polident tablets for the thermos jugs and crystal vases! I appreciate all the info.

I am going to try Evapo-Rust on the one with the rust spots, and alcohol and/or sewing machine oil on the rest. The alcolhol won't be anywhere near the machines. The feet aren't really dirty; most of them have sat in antique stores for years and years and are just dusty/grimy.