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Telephone Handset cord cleaning question

Started by Westrex, April 27, 2023, 10:08:31 PM

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Westrex

Hi everyone,

I have a question about cleaning handset cords. My question is: Is dish soap & warm(ish) water a good way to clean  gunk off of handset cords without damaging them?

Thank you,

-Westrex
Check out the site below for helpful information about Automatic Electric phones.

http://kwan-nick.neocities.org/AE2.html

Stormcrash

It's worked reasonably well for me, I do try to keep the ends of the cord dry though so that water can't seep inside the jacket or into the connectors on modular cords

Westrex

Yes, my current cleaning setup is that the end of the cord and the handset are out/above the water line, where the middle of the cord is in the water.

Also, what would be more effective in cleaning the gunk off after being submerged, paper towels or a brush?


Thanks,

-Westrex
Check out the site below for helpful information about Automatic Electric phones.

http://kwan-nick.neocities.org/AE2.html

5415551212

One of the collectors on here has made a video on restoring handset cords
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyjEJCRX0hk

FABphones

Way too many unskippable adverts on that link.

There are several methods for cord cleaning and restoring. CRPF has a whole board dedicated to the process:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?board=22.0

:)
A collector of  'Monochrome Phones with Sepia Tones'   ...and a Duck!
***********
Vintage Phones - 10% man made, 90% Tribble
*************

tubaman

Quote from: FABphones on April 28, 2023, 01:36:26 AMWay too many unskippable adverts on that link.
...

Adblock (https://getadblock.com/en/) fixes that issue very nicely on PCs. Also lets you accept ads for specific content creators you wish to support.
 :)

kleenax

What I do to clean my coiled cords VERY effectively is plain, full-strength Ammonia. Just take an old towel and saturate it with ammonia and forcely draw the cord through the ammonia-saturated towel. Some stubborn stains will require that you spend a little more time on (rubbing on them), but you will be VERY pleased with how new and shiney a cord looks after this process. Keep in mind however that cords that are noticeably faded in color should probably be replaced.
Ray Kotke
Recumbent Casting, LLC

Contempra

#7
Quote from: kleenax on April 28, 2023, 07:52:36 AMWhat I do to clean my coiled cords VERY effectively is plain, full-strength Ammonia...

Indeed, but beware! this should be done in a well-ventilated area. Ammonia is dangerous for the bronchi and the lungs my friend. Wearing a mask is always better.


HowardPgh

Do any of these methods clean icky sticky cords?
Howard

FABphones

Quote from: HowardPgh on April 28, 2023, 10:31:40 AMDo any of these methods clean icky sticky cords?

Take a look through the threads on the board linked above (reply #4).

This thread might help also:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=15219
A collector of  'Monochrome Phones with Sepia Tones'   ...and a Duck!
***********
Vintage Phones - 10% man made, 90% Tribble
*************

TelePlay

#10
Quote from: HowardPgh on April 28, 2023, 10:31:40 AMDo any of these methods clean icky sticky cords?

IIRC, sticky cords occur when the plasticizers used to make the cord material flexible begin to leak out of the cord. Removal requires a solvent that dissolves the plasticizer. Each cord will be different due to their original formulation.

I have found mineral spirits, lacquer thinner and acetone useful (the polarity of each is different so where one may work, the others won't). Always use a Q-tip wetted with solvent on an inconspicuous area to test it.

I bought a Vado video camera some 10 to 15 years ago, used it for 8 years and put it into storage when cell phone cameras came to be very good. Found it in storage about a month ago and discovered the soft rubber coating put on the camera to give it a non-slip grip had turned to a sticky surface that would stick the camera to my hand. No solvent would remove the leached out plasticizer so I tossed the camera out.

BTW, ammonia and other water based cleaners and detergents work just fine for removing dirt and crud. And if "blackish crud remains inside a few coils, that mixture of dirt and oils is easily removed using a cotton cloth wetted with mineral spirits.


dsk

Hi, and welcome.
As you see, it's many ways to do that. Usually i do/ try to do as you suggested, sometimes, when coiled cords not look find, I take a chance by winding it around a stick, and let it go in the dishwasher. Has turned out to be OK so far .

FABphones

#12
Quote...the soft rubber coating put on the camera to give it a non-slip grip had turned to a sticky surface that would stick the camera to my hand.

Sounds very similar to the deterioration on my Eiger telephone. I removed the outer coating:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=21890
A collector of  'Monochrome Phones with Sepia Tones'   ...and a Duck!
***********
Vintage Phones - 10% man made, 90% Tribble
*************