I have been working on dolls, but sometimes it helps to do two projects at once, or even three,
so I can alternate projects, rather than stop and decide what to do next.
So I have been cleaning compacts; and yesterday cleaned out a
very powdery one. I will share how I clean them; this is just how I clean loose powder compacts. To see how I clean pressed powder compacts, see
this other post.
This is a Max Factor loose powder compact from the Fifties. I take no chances. Before I even cut open the package from the seller, I put on my respirator, and store the compact in a plastic bag.
Then when I go outside to clean it, I put the full hazmat outfit on.
Gloves, respirator, a shower cap - it was sliding off my hair - and safety goggles.
I work outside, on a little table and keep all these supplies close to hand: plastic bags, 7th Generation or some other mild spray cleaner, tissues, seasalt, a cheap stiff bristle paintbrush and a soft paintbrush with a chisel end.
First I put the compact inside a plastic bag, dump out as much powder as I can into the bag, take the compact out, and tie the bag off and put it aside.
Then, I put the compact down on a tissue placed on the table, and pour sea salt into the remaining powder in the powder well.
I use a cheap bristle brush to loosen the powder, mixing the salt with the powder. I also loosen the powder "bumper" on the side. You can see it
coming off the sides, in the picture. I pull the bumper out and keep on mixing.
The advantage of using salt, is that no powder floats around. The salt kind of sticks to the powder, blends with it, so it doesn't lift off into the air.
I think the powder is scarey. They used all kinds of technologies to make the powder very light, and also very adherent - plus it was used by someone.
After mixing for a minute or two, I dump the powder-and-salt into a plastic bag and tie the bag off. Another plus is that the salt has acted as a mild abrasive cleaner. There was no powder drifting around, no pressure applied by rubbing, and no use of liquids. I still have to use cleaner to fine-clean, but using salt is a good first step.
I also like using salt-and-mixing because it allows me to safely see what is on the inside of the compact. Sometimes I discover stuff about the compact. There might be a sharp edge, or a chip in the mirror; I don't want to be using my hand to clean and find that kind of thing.
The powder "bumper" was kind of a woolen strip in there to keep the powder in, and I can't really clean that thing, so out it comes with the powder. It leaves behind a bit of glue where it was attached.
Next I use the chisel plastic end of an ordinary paintbrush to scrape off the bumper glue residue from the inside of the powder well. I also take out the wax paper liner that is sometimes inside compacts. I would like to preserve that little piece of wax paper, but my goal is no powder smell whatsoever.
Then I spray 7th Generation cleaner or some other mild cleaner on tissues, to clean off remaining traces of powder. I never spray directly onto the compact or mirror.
It is important to have a paper towel or soft surface to work on top of, so you don't scratch the bottom of the compact while working on it. You also have to be careful wiping the mirror. Best to hold it with a thumb while you wipe. This one doesn't have a crack, it just looks that way in the picture.
Then I use a small soft paintbrush to get all the teeny bits of powder lurking around the hinge, latch and around the mirror.
I wipe it some more with cleaner, use the brush some more, wipe again...
And finally I wipe the compact carefully with a soft microdusting cloth.
Now the compact is clean and I can enjoy picking it up and opening it. I think I could even use this compact, because the 7th Generation cleaner also disinfects.
There is the question of what to do about used, dusty puffs and screens. I have tossed many that were caked with powder and dirt and whatnot, but some I could not bear to toss and stored in plastic bags. Lately I am cleaning them with a toothbrush and soap. I think i will still store them separately though, I can not bear the vomitous smell of old powder
So I hope this explains clearly enough, one way to clean your vintage compacts.
