"Gentle" Mechanic's Soap
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 287
Likes: 2
"Gentle" Mechanic's Soap
I read the other soap threads! I need a good mechanics hand soap that does not dry and crack my skin....sensitive boy that I am. I do a lot of wrenching but work in Healthcare. My hands are constantly "sanitized" with alcohol based Purell. Between work and wrenching I probably go through a hundred pairs of gloves a week.
Anyways, Fast Orange cracks my skin which can be a real hazard at work.
Any suggestions?
Anyways, Fast Orange cracks my skin which can be a real hazard at work.
Any suggestions?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: North Dakota
I like Gojo smooth formula I think it comes in a white container. Nice part about it is you do not need water to rinse of your hands. Or if you can get Zep handcleaner that is what I use at work that works well but I do not think they sell it at stores though. Those are the only two I have ever used and they both seem to work well.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
I use dish soap, and a plastic scouring sponge. It's enough to remove the worst engine grease but doesn't dry out my hands.
For the really greasy jobs I wear latex surgical gloves, then put my cotton workgloves on top of that. Then the only thing that gets dirty is the little bit of skin just below my wrists where my sleeves fall down away from the bottom of the gloves.
For the really greasy jobs I wear latex surgical gloves, then put my cotton workgloves on top of that. Then the only thing that gets dirty is the little bit of skin just below my wrists where my sleeves fall down away from the bottom of the gloves.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
How about powdered laundry soap?
I use Fast Orange all the time, it does dry you out a little, but I think the Purell might be the real problem here.
I also use GoJo Orange, and it's great. Has a little too much lanolin, though, since it leaves an almost oily feel afterwards.
I use Fast Orange all the time, it does dry you out a little, but I think the Purell might be the real problem here.
I also use GoJo Orange, and it's great. Has a little too much lanolin, though, since it leaves an almost oily feel afterwards.
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, Ca, USA (Near L
I have Dawn dishwashing detergent in a dispenser over the garage sink. Kind enough for a woman's hands and all. Does a good job on all the stuff I get into. I keep a fingernail brush there too for the most stubborn stuff.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
I've read about guys putting vaseline on their hands BEFORE wrenching -- supposed to keep most of the stuff from sticking.
Never tried it ( keep forgetting), but it could minimize the problem.
ford2go
Never tried it ( keep forgetting), but it could minimize the problem.
ford2go
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: darrington wash
maybe try boraxo[unsure of spelling] but its made from borax which i guess is all natural.. made by a company called 20 mule team i do belive.. i love it... doesnt leave my skin dry...[not that ive noticed anyways] its powdered soap... so the powder is what takes off most of the grease and what not[thats what i think anyways]
or simply take some regular old dish soap... and wet your hands... add a puddel of dish soap to the palm of one hand... then take some surgar and add that... scrub around hands rinse good... and repeat with just dish soap....
i dont know if thats what you are looking for or not...
you know... maybe just use some hand lotion after washing your hands... that may help more then finding new soap.
or simply take some regular old dish soap... and wet your hands... add a puddel of dish soap to the palm of one hand... then take some surgar and add that... scrub around hands rinse good... and repeat with just dish soap....
i dont know if thats what you are looking for or not...
you know... maybe just use some hand lotion after washing your hands... that may help more then finding new soap.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 82
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From: SW Chicago Burbs
My brother in law is a mechanic. When we worked together he would only let me buy Gojo waterless. Nothing with grit in it was allowed. I can't imagine using dish soap or anything with grit in it 10 or more times a day.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 104
From: Staten Island, NY
I used to use GoJo and all of the other waterless hand cleaners and they worked great. I used them for years. Now if I use one of those more than once or twice my hands crack and bleed.
I've been using Simple Green waterless hand cleaner. It's a little tough to find - I buy mine from a company called Aircraftspruce - it cleans the worst grease and grime, my hands don't crack, and it smells nice too. It's water solouble so when the job is done you can just rinse your hands under warm water and all trace is gone. Good stuff!
I've been using Simple Green waterless hand cleaner. It's a little tough to find - I buy mine from a company called Aircraftspruce - it cleans the worst grease and grime, my hands don't crack, and it smells nice too. It's water solouble so when the job is done you can just rinse your hands under warm water and all trace is gone. Good stuff!
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 299
Likes: 2
From: Marryville, Tennessee
Maybe try plain old fashion Lava bar soap. It works great get the hand clean and doesn't dry them out or rub them raw like some of those dry powder soaps although Boraxo is good too. I used the combo of the 2 soaps and seem to do it w/o damage to the skin. Just my .02 cents 
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 3
From: Sapulpa OK
I have turned wrenches all my life and about 5 years ago I started using nitrile gloves. Boy what a difference in the cleanliness of my hands. My fingernails are white and there are no black ground in areas. I do use Fast Orange to clean up at the end of the day though. I wear short sleeves so I have to wash up past my elbows. I like Fast Orange for cleaning.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 3
From: Dracut, Massachusetts
all my life i have been using stuff called reach its made by zep. it cleans the NASTIEST grease and oil of my hands usually with one shot. its got pummice, and lanolin in it so my hands are never raw. and i wash them about 10-20 times per project, i HATE dirty hands lol. on a side note have you tried lotion? i used to work at a job that required the use of powdered gloves and purrel sanitizer, dryed my hands up real bad, i started using lotion and everything was fine.