By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more
Forum sponsored by:
Forum sponsored by Forum House Ad Zone

Clean hands?

All Topics | Latest Posts

Search for:  in Thread Title in  
Bob Lamb25/05/2018 20:33:54
avatar
140 forum posts
51 photos

It would be good to know what others use to clean their hands after a workshop session.

I used to use "Lava" which came in a red push top dispenser. It was a blue gritty cream and worked really well to get out engrained dirt. When my last pump dispenser became nearly empty I put the final dregs into a small container and still use it when I get really dirty hands. Sadly that has nearly gone now. The web shows Lava soap bars and the cream but they only seem to be in America. Amazon tantalisingly show pictures of the Lava cream containers but they are not in stock and don't know if or when they might be.

Now when I am about to do something dirty I use "Somersets Hand Guard". It is a liquid barrier "cream". The small bottles seem to last for ages and it is very good when you wash it off with a bit of detergent. The only problem I have found is that if you get your hands wet while working it tends to come off (which I suppose is what it is supposed to do!).

If anyone knows a UK supplier for Lava hand cleaner, or even the soap, I would be very grateful if you would let me know please or, perhaps, there are other hand cleaners out there that work as well or maybe even better? Bob

John Rudd25/05/2018 20:43:27
1479 forum posts
1 photos

I use Swarfega.....

JasonB25/05/2018 20:46:30
avatar
25215 forum posts
3105 photos
1 articles

Orange Swarfega for me, smells better than the green and the pumice gets the dirt of better

Ian Parkin25/05/2018 20:46:40
avatar
1174 forum posts
303 photos

I use” boraxo “when my hands are really grimy..swarfega orange when not so much

I bought a box whilst in America but it does seem to be available over here in spite of borax being a banned substance nowadays.

Its a bit like the “lava” but in powder form ....you wet your hands and rub in a small amount which creates a slurry then wash off your hands are sparkly clean and really smooth

richardandtracy25/05/2018 20:48:35
avatar
943 forum posts
10 photos

I used to use the Halfords version with beads. Now I use cheap washing up liquid which works almost as well for a lot less cost.

Regards

Richard

Ian Parkin25/05/2018 20:50:31
avatar
1174 forum posts
303 photos

Hand cleaners.co.uk do boraxo in 2 sizes but the smallest is 15kg maybe if enough are interested you could do a group buy 2 kg will last ages

Bill Phinn25/05/2018 20:53:18
1076 forum posts
129 photos

Yes, the gritty yellow Swarfega that smells a lot nicer than the green stuff of old and seems to work better.

Mike Poole25/05/2018 21:00:25
avatar
3676 forum posts
82 photos

Fairy liquid works well for me.

Mike

norman valentine25/05/2018 21:07:19
280 forum posts
40 photos

Washing up liquid mixed with some detergent powder for really dirty hands. I am sure that it is bad for the skin but I don't seem to suffer any ill effects.

Gray6225/05/2018 21:07:42
1058 forum posts
16 photos

I discovered Manista at my local autospares shop a few years back and have used it ever since. A 3 litre tub is about £13 from Amazon and lasts ages. Its a gritty lemon smelling goop that doesn't strip the oils from your skin like the old swarfega used to do.

John Rudd25/05/2018 21:15:16
1479 forum posts
1 photos

I find there's a big difference in my skin when I clean with Swarfega versus washing up liquid.....

Swarfega doesnt remove the naturally occuring oils unlike wul.....

But then, thats my skin, other wul users may have skin more tolerant to its use..

Howard Lewis25/05/2018 21:18:41
7227 forum posts
21 photos

Lava soap! That takes me back MANY years, to the old gritty grey bar of soap.

Mostly I use green Swarfega, (coming to the end of a large tub) or Orange Swarfega from a pump bottle.

I find that washing up liquid degreases my skin too much.

Howard

colin brannigan25/05/2018 21:26:24
125 forum posts
29 photos

Barrier cream before and Fairy after.

Colin

Mike Poole25/05/2018 21:29:24
avatar
3676 forum posts
82 photos

The hands that do dishes are as soft as your face with mild green Fairy liquid.

Mike

Grindstone Cowboy25/05/2018 21:35:10
1160 forum posts
73 photos

+1 for Manista, but have used washing up liquid and sugar when nothing else available. WUL does degrease a bit too much and, as I'm discovering, dermatitis is a cumulative thing. I now wear the orange nitrile Tiger gloves whenever possible which save a lot on the cleaning process.

Mick Henshall25/05/2018 21:59:30
avatar
562 forum posts
34 photos

Always use washing up liquid and a scrubbing brush have done for the last 58 years, can't work on machines with these disposable glove thingys and never had any skin issues, makes a good shampoo for my hair

Mick

peak425/05/2018 22:34:55
avatar
2207 forum posts
210 photos

Certainly following this thread, I'm on my last bar of Lava soap.
I've never found anything as good, particularly with paint.

I bought a few bars years ago at a steam rally, but now save it for special occasions laugh

Orange Swarfega for day to day use, with Deb Aromatherapy foaming handwash to clean up otherwise.

Bill

 

Edited By peak4 on 25/05/2018 22:44:22

Gordon A25/05/2018 22:35:12
157 forum posts
4 photos

Washing-up liquid and sugar if I have no Swarfega Orange available, but I was told some years ago that sugar and butter work quite well. Not to be used on a sandwich later though !

Gordon.

Roderick Jenkins25/05/2018 22:39:45
avatar
2376 forum posts
800 photos

Orange Swarfega for me. I was relieved to find that the gritty bits are derived from maze husks, not polymer micro beads.

Rod

Nick Hulme25/05/2018 23:03:13
750 forum posts
37 photos

I use Lava Soap, I bought a lifetime's supply of ex-RS Components stock from a clearance warehouse about 10 years ago, at this rate I should hit 120 years old or so, even though I keep giving away some of the small size bars

All Topics | Latest Posts

Please login to post a reply.

Magazine Locator

Want the latest issue of Model Engineer or Model Engineers' Workshop? Use our magazine locator links to find your nearest stockist!

Find Model Engineer & Model Engineers' Workshop

Sign up to our Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter and get a free digital issue.

You can unsubscribe at anytime. View our privacy policy at www.mortons.co.uk/privacy

Latest Forum Posts
Support Our Partners
cowells
Sarik
MERIDIENNE EXHIBITIONS LTD
Subscription Offer

Latest "For Sale" Ads
Latest "Wanted" Ads
Get In Touch!

Do you want to contact the Model Engineer and Model Engineers' Workshop team?

You can contact us by phone, mail or email about the magazines including becoming a contributor, submitting reader's letters or making queries about articles. You can also get in touch about this website, advertising or other general issues.

Click THIS LINK for full contact details.

For subscription issues please see THIS LINK.

Digital Back Issues

Social Media online

'Like' us on Facebook
Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
 Twitter Logo

Pin us on Pinterest

 

Donate

donate