I don't know if it is still available, but many years ago, when employed by the G.P.O. To repair teleprinters, we used a barrier cream called Rozalex. It took a little while to rub in properly when applied, but was very effective and washed off readily. As for washing hands, the same employer issued glycerin and borax hand soap. It was dark green and felt very gritty when used, but did get the grime off. I wonder if it's still about?

Regards. Maurice

Maurice,

Rozalex is still available, I have a tub on the bench. I bought it from Popes tool supplies in Manchester.

Don't know about the Glycerin and Borax soap though.

Michel Design Works - Large Bath Soap Bar

The missus got one for xmas and I've been ordered to use it up

It's a pretty big lump and did a great job with a single wash on my long afternoon grot from a lathe move and dismantling etc, 2 year old black oil and grease etc, proper muck

Usually takes swarfega to make a dent

and my hands feel great too

So if you're the sensitive type this stuff is worth a look, unfortunately its a tenner a bar unless you go to somewhere like TKmax

Boraxo is still available online and is the best hand cleaner i have used

i bought a large bag of borax and mix it with soap flakes and that works as well as the branded version

Well I used shampoo and now don't have any hair. Who is making the greatest savings?

The thing I like about swarfega is I can use it in the workshop without access to a sink and wipe my hands fairly clean and dry before returning to the house where I can wash them properly without making the sink filthy.

My way of removing black machine dirt from my hands is to take a (very) small bit of margarine “butter” and rub that out on the dirt. You will experience that most of the dirt already dissolves in the butter. Then followed by spreading some washing up liquid on your hands. Finally, you rinse the mixture with the dirt in it from your hands under a running tap. But I understand that application of a protective cream before doing the “dirty” job is a further improvement.

eat sandwiches

make pastry

make bread

regards Martin

;O)

👍

olive oil, as John Haine mentions, will have the same function as margarine/butter.

Edited By Jouke van der Veen on 11/05/2021 21:13:06

I use a hand cleaner from Lidi, seems to be a mix of some muck + sawdust, but it works.

Bought another type in the Poundshop, which was useless.

I cringe when I read of those who use washing up liquid for hand washing or even shampooing their hair, I have in later life developed contact dermatitis on my hands which is triggered whenever they are exposed to washing up liquid, diluted or concentrated, it leaves my skin very raw. I now have on prescription special liquid soap for my hands and have to treat with various creams, I urge anyone using washing up liquid in this way not to do it, it can trigger painful dermatitis at anytime, I spent my working life in engineering and oils and greases do not cause me problems just washing up detergent, there is a bonus though, excused washing up. Dave W

+1 for Rozalex Zorange £8.30/litre - lasts for AGES

best hand cleaner I've ever used, and smells good enough to eat (probably not a good idea through)

Lidl do a good handcream

cien Q10

Been using it for a while as my skin deteriorates

There is one washing up liquid that claims to be kind to your hands, anything but!! Leavs mine feeling raw so not in my house.

Good barrier cream before and fancy Waitrose hand soap afterwards. At over 70 I cannot say the skin of my hands is like that of a child but it is pretty good.

JA