Seeing the post that mentioned being wary of using things like
Wite-Out for that reason, jogged me out of my germ-laden stupor. You
never need contaminate pickle, if it really concerns you, using any
product for any reason during soldering. Just keep a handy wide
mouth glass jar, for instance, and dip out enough pickle to cover
your piece of work, and use that ! Then if it seems contaminated by
crud or scum or whatever, dispose of it. Top off your pickle pot if
necessary with more hot water and carry on. I’d think Wite-Out
would be less of a mess than the old ocher treatment for stopping
solder flow. But haven’t known either to affect a pickle pot
seriously.
Relax and enjoy the process(es).
Pat