Vintage Metal Lunch Box Cleaners and Tools

Cleaning Tools - Most of the following tools or supplies are available in generic form and might still have the
same effect but remember, you get what you pay for. I prefer buying brand names of these items.

Buff Pads - These pads can be used for applying and removing your wife’s makeup or any cleaner you threw
on your box. It’s also great for final buffing of the lithograph. Replace when the pad becomes dirty or fully
absorbed to get maximum cleaning capabilities.

Cotton Balls – The only draw back is the lint that comes off the cotton when you use it in tight areas like under
the hinges. These are very handy and cheap. Use cotton balls for applying cleaner, soaking up excess cleaner
or drying small hard to get places. On an even brighter note, it’s great to use in your ears if you don’t want to
hear your boss or spouse.

Cotton Cloth – Being larger is a great advantage (no pun intended). Probably a better choice than cotton balls
since it will require less of them to do the same job. The cloths can be folded for longer use during cleaning.
Cotton won't scratch the lithograph, and good quality cloths can be washed and re-used many times over.

Cotton Swabs - Swabs are excellent for cleaning crevices and areas that can't be reached like your ears or more
appropriately, edges inside of the lunch box.

Duster/Compressed Air – Dust is not our friend. To avoid rubbing loose dust or dirt into your lithograph, possibly
scratching it, it's a good idea to regularly dust them. The more time you take to keep them clean now, the less
time you'll spend cleaning them in the future. Use a soft duster against the lithograph or a small compressor
(like those used for air brushing) to blow air at your lunch box. You can find a hand-held compressed air bottle
at an art supply store for around $10 if you don’t have an actual compressor.

Gloves – Use gloves while cleaning, picking up, and moving your lunch boxes to avoid leaving oils from your
fingers and also to avoid skin contact with harmful cleaning chemicals. Dust and dirt get attracted to the oils
left by finger prints.

Two types of gloves:

• Latex gloves: Best for cleaning. They grip well, are cheap, disposable, and stay dry.
  
• Cotton gloves: Use for moving and picking up clean boxes.
  Try to buy gloves that fit snuggly, but allow your hands full open and close motion.
  

Paper Towels - A good wipe for removing excess cleaner inside your lunch box or thermos. A soft paper towel
works best. Try to get ones with no colorful artwork on the paper towel since the ink might come off and go onto
your box. Never use paper towels on the lithograph, instead, use a softer cloth like cotton for final cleaning
and buffing.

Pipe Cleaners – Some people use these for removing excess cleaner from the lunch box handle or inside the
latch. You run the risk of having the wire core scratch the metal so take extra care.

Sand Paper – If your box or thermos needs this then it’s in pretty bad shape. Sand paper can be used for
removing heavy rust on the rims of your thermos. You should first try to use chrome polish on the rims before
using sand paper, and never use sand paper to remove rust from the lithograph. Sand paper can also be used
for rust on the box hardware. Only use metal sand paper with a fine grit. Apply chrome polish after final sanding.
Sanding is not recommended for beginners.

Sponge – Buy one to use only for lunchboxes, don’t take the one from the kitchen that you just cleaned your
dinner plates with. Use your designated lunch box sponge to apply and remove excess cleaner. Only use soft
sponges, never the brillo pad side unless it’s a stubborn stain or dirty area. If you must, use the scrubber with
caution. When using the sponge, always make sure no coarse particles are caught within the sponge (refer to
using a new sponge and not one that just cleaned this evening’s spaghetti dinner). This will prevent scratching
of the lithograph. Always rinse thoroughly after each use.

Tooth Brush - Great for cleaning your lunch box handles because the bristles can easily clean the textured
area. Other uses include brushing away loose rust flakes, and cleaning any tough grime that may be stuck on
your box. Remember that the blue brush is for your teeth and the yellow one is for cleaning your lunchboxes.

Towels - Before you begin to clean your lunch box or thermos, always remember to keep your work on a soft
pad or towel. I do not recommend cleaning anything on a street or rocky trail. This is because during cleaning,
the surface friction will rub the box and besides, the rocky trail ain’t too comfortable to sit on.