Cleaning boxboard

I picked up an Argus Match-matic set with the box. Physically, the box is in great condition. There is some crud on the outside that could be nicotine residue. Brown, rough. Also some on the inside. The exterior of the box has that shiny plasticy coating so it will take some moisture. You can see in the photo above the 'us' in Argus it's brighter and a little cleaner where I tried a mild household cleaner. It didn't work as well toward the edges where the residue is heavier.

Any thoughts on how I can clean this without damaging the box? I'd like to use the box as part of the display.

Image by telecast, on Flickr

Looks like stains on it, and if the box is paper or cardboard, you may want to go very lightly w/ your chosen methods. Start by brushing off the box w/ a soft brush, then try one that's a little sturdier if that goes well. But wetting the box w/ cleaners may present more problems than it fixes. Gum artist erasers would be safe to try.

So far so good. The success of this has much to do with the laminated covering, it allows for more moisture and rubbing than plain paper or boxboard.

Ratings:

Mild organic household cleaner: Ok, but not great.
Mothers Leather and Vinyl cleaner: Actually cleaned pretty well but I think I saw the beginning of color bleed, so I quit.
Peroxide and distilled water: Nothing.
Saliva: Some help, nothing exceptional.
White Vinegar, Baking Soda, and distilled water: Bingo. This one provides instant gratification. Although I have no idea what good it does to create a neutral by mixing an and acid and a base, then diluting it. Maybe the soda adds some abrasive scrubbing power?

IMG_0302 by telecast, on Flickr