Cleaning vintage powder sifters

[PaulaP]

I just acquired some vintage powder compacts and they luckily came with their original sifters. The only problem is that the other of my lovelies is used, and I feel somewhat icky about using the sifter without cleaning it. And as the sifter is held together by glue washing it with water is not a good idea - I washed one and the sifter almost came apart.

So any tips on cleaning the sifter? Or should I rather stitch around the edges to secure the net in place and then wash the thing?

Appreciate your help

ps. I hope this is the right place to ask, I just joint this lovely community

 

[Nora]

I think maybe stitching would be the best bet, as any way of getting it clean without water would be at least as hard on the glue as water...

 

[PaulaP]

I went the lazy way, and carefully washed the sifter with water. However, this time I was really careful to not soak it under the tap for very long. Just carefully rubbing the soap on it and quickly rinsing under the water, after which came patting with a towel to dry.

The result is not completely clean, some powder residue still came off when rubbing with a cotton bud. But the sifter is now clean enough for me to not feel icky using it.

What do you ladies usually do with your compacts, do you clean the sifters if used, use as is, or make yourself a new one?

 

[betty3303]

I guess you could always sritz it with rubbing alcohol (surgical spirits) to sanitise?