I'm glad you all responded because it gave me more ways to try my little experiment. I did not think about the steel wool rusting and since it's humid here, I'm think now it's a bad idea. I might see what I can find out about the emery powder and the soap bars were my grandma's favorite come to think about it. I also used them when I did wood working to keep my saw blades from rusting and it helped them glide through the wood a lot easier. I have never used wool before but maybe I'll have to check into them as well. Do you any type of wool for that? or is there a specific type I should try?
Oh the memories! Thanks everyone for your input.