Ever use naval jelly to clean a flower pot?

[llllady]

I've got a couple of flower pots that I'd like to clean before possibly listing.

Last night while channel surfing, I caught a segment of the Antiques Roadshow. The appraiser was telling someone they could get rid of the crud around the top of a flower pot with naval jelly.

Anyone tried it, and how did it work for you? 

[llllady]

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@lacemaker3 wrote:

I just looked up "Bar Keeper's Friend" -- there are lots of different products and formats.

Which type works best for which uses?

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I use a powdered form that comes in a can like "Comet" cleanser.  I use it on just about any kind of pottery with a matte finish to take away those ugly gray utensil marks.  You still have to be careful with it. I think they say not to leave it on for more than one (1) minute. It too has an acid in it. 

I also have an old, white, porcelain sink that gets gray marks on it from utensils. It does a nice job of cleaning it, too.  You can use it on other things, but those are what I use it for.

[lintbrush*]

I prefer liquid Barkeeper's

I put it on a sturdy, dry paper towel (Viva or shop towels) and rub away.  

[lacemaker3]

Yes, Bar Keeper's Friend, the active  ingredient is oxalic acid.

Like all acids, it depends on the strength. I remember that a "weak solution of oxolic acid" was used by Master Saddlers, to clean off a saddle that they had just made. Then "straight away go over it with clean, cold water, this neutralizes the acid."  I think "oxolic" is a spelling variant, maybe the British spelling? So it's safe on leather, if you clean it off right away.

From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bar_Keepers_Friend it is also good or removing hard water stains from glass, removing stains caused by sunscreen, and cleaning and bleaching teak wood. Not recommended for cleaning silverware, pewter, or marble.

[llllady]

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@lintbrush* wrote:

I prefer liquid Barkeeper's

I put it on a sturdy, dry paper towel (Viva or shop towels) and rub away.  

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Shop towels...almost the greatest thing since apple pie. 

[ersatz_sobriquet]

Well it is abrasive, so don't rub too hard immediately, see how it goes. Only time I ruined something with it was jadeite that was already pretty much destroyed with dishwasher calcium deposits. 

A little easier than digging and trying to stock up on that naval jelly. (holds nose!) 

[pantlandia]

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@nowthatsjustducky wrote:

Huh.  And here I thought Naval jelly was like KY Jelly, only for use on submarines.

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Nope, it's what they put on peanut butter sandwiches in the Navy Mess Hall.

[labs118]

What a sick bunch of boardies

Just saying !

I use bar keepers liquid on my fiesta dishes to get rid of untensil marks the stuff for lot's of things, never tired it on what your looking to use it for.

[d-k_treasures]

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@poppyswag wrote:

Haha. Naval jelly is pretty intense. Locales can leave different deposits depending on the soil and water. Don't ruin it! LOL

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I'm sure it WAS pretty intense. No telling what it is now - probably been wimped down by the government.

Look at all of the new paint strippers out that don't even think about working.

[gracieallen01]

If it is a pot with an intact high-fire glaze, that doesn't have any crazing, it might not be too bad for a quick wipe over to get rid of build-up and such.  However, that is about all I  would use it for.

Otherwise, a q-tip and mild soap for those hard to reach belly button stains. 

[mistwomandancing]

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llllady wrote:

It was a piece of pottery like Roseville or something. That part I don't remember 

You know, ersats, I use Bar Keeper's Friend all the time, but did not think about using it to try to clean up the rusty, crusty crud around the top of the flower pots.  Thanks for the reminder.  Will try it on one of them later.

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It sounds like you're talking about that old lime/calcium crud that gets deposited over time in flowerpots, where the soil in the pot leaves deposits from being watered a million times.  If so, I think I'd try doing a vinegar soak alternating with scrubbing with a stiff plastic scrubbie and Dawn liquid soap. 

Good luck.  Sounds like this piece would be worth saving.

[llllady]

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@labs118 wrote:

What a sick bunch of boardies

Just saying !

I use bar keepers liquid on my fiesta dishes to get rid of untensil marks the stuff for lot's of things, never tired it on what your looking to use it for.

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Yeah, but that's what keeps us coming back for more. Otherwise, it would be pretty darn boring around here!

I'll have to try the liquid when I run out.  @labs118 - have you ever found it (any form) around here in any of the stores?  I've looked everywhere from Shop-Rite to Walmart and nothing.  Maybe the big Shop-Rite?  When I bought the powder, had to get it online.

@mistwomandancing

Yep, we're talking that built up crud, calcium, lime and rust from the water.  The Bar Keeper's did a great job on it.  Surprised that no one ever tried the naval jelly, especially since it popped up on the Roadshow. 

I've tried the vinegar and vinegar/baking soda combo on water spots, and was not impressed.  It wasn't even that bad, and I let the glass sit in it overnight.   So much for that!!!!!!!

[mistwomandancing]

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llllady wrote:

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labs118 wrote:

What a sick bunch of boardies

Just saying !

I use bar keepers liquid on my fiesta dishes to get rid of untensil marks the stuff for lot's of things, never tired it on what your looking to use it for.

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Yeah, but that's what keeps us coming back for more. Otherwise, it would be pretty darn boring around here!

I'll have to try the liquid when I run out.  @labs118 - have you ever found it (any form) around here in any of the stores?  I've looked everywhere from Shop-Rite to Walmart and nothing.  Maybe the big Shop-Rite?  When I bought the powder, had to get it online.

@mistwomandancing

Yep, we're talking that built up crud, calcium, lime and rust from the water.  The Bar Keeper's did a great job on it.  Surprised that no one ever tried the naval jelly, especially since it popped up on the Roadshow. 

I've tried the vinegar and vinegar/baking soda combo on water spots, and was not impressed.  It wasn't even that bad, and I let the glass sit in it overnight.   So much for that!!!!!!!

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Glad you got the item nice again.  - -  I used to use the naval jelly some on the occasional rusty item I was going to list here.  These days, rust seems to be *in*   I think with the primitive decor crowd, and the country farmhouse set, so I haven't used that stuff for quite awhile now.  Kind of glad to read about it here again and get my mind jogged again.  I'll stop by True Value hardware and pick some up to keep in my cleaning arsonal.  Thumbs up!

[labs118]

@llllady
Got my Bar keepers liquid at Lowe's, right there at the Trade zone next to Wally world

[llllady]

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@labs118 wrote:

@llllady
Got my Bar keepers liquid at Lowe's, right there at the Trade zone next to Wally world

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Thanks.  Think I can find my way there - ha!

[labs118]

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@llllady wrote:

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@labs118 wrote:

@llllady
Got my Bar keepers liquid at Lowe's, right there at the Trade zone next to Wally world

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Thanks.  Think I can find my way there - ha!

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Yes me thinks ya can too!!!