I've been swinging a wrench professionally since high school. IE: auto mechanic, Operating Engineer, job shop machinist, Director of Maintenance of an ink production facility, etc. I just finished up rebuilding a differential in an off road pick-up, for a client. Always looking for a better way of cleaning my hands and nails.There is some pretty good stuff out there to clean up with, but it takes up space on our RVs.Out of necessity, I had to use DAWN Direct Foam to wash my hands and nails, while on the road. WA-LAH! It works as well if not better than some of the products designed for mechanics.So that leaves one less bottle or jug of stuff to carry in the MH.The wife will have to share her dish washing soap with me. Give it a try.Richard

Dawn is a great degreser and with a small brush, gets my hands as clean as the big jug of Goop hand cleaner in my garage.

Yes, I've been turning wrenches for a long time too. Used to use the orange stuff, but switched to Dawn years ago and haven't looked back.

I used 'oil' to clean gunk/grime off hands, wipe excess off with shop rag and then regular hot water and soap when I was a working soul.DAWN has been used for decades for 'oil spills/wildlife cleanups'Now..DAWN gets used for just about every cleaning job

Agree on DAWN. Not familiar with the Direct Foam, but ordinary Dawn Dish Detergent is my go-to. If I have time, I work something "greasy" under my nails, then wash with Dawn after awhile.Dishwashing With Dawn works wonders on mechanic hands. Good family relations, too...

Lately I find prevention by wearing latex gloves to be the way to go on a messy job.

Washing your hands | Good Sam Community

pennysmom09
Explorer
Aug 16, 2017
Another fan of Dawn, for hands, dishes and anything else. The foaming Dawn is too watery for me so I stopped buying it. Extra money for diluted Dawn!
Campfire_Time
Explorer
Aug 16, 2017
Many years ago I had to change a fuel pump on my Suburban while in a CG. This was back when fuel pumps were still mechanical and were attached to the outside of the engine block. Very greasy dirty job even though it was relatively easy. I did not carry hand cleaner back then. We did have some powdered Tide clothes soap. It worked fantastic.
Bipeflier
Explorer
Aug 16, 2017
I use nitrile gloves for jobs that don't require much "feel" but if I have to go bare handed, an old trick is to use some Dawn as a hand lotion before starting to work. Rub it in real good and wipe off any excess, then go to work. When you are finished the soap is in all your pores and the gunk comes right off with hot water and more Dawn.
KCFDCapt
Explorer
Aug 16, 2017
time2roll wrote:
Lately I find prevention by wearing latex gloves to be the way to go on a messy job.

Latex breaks down quickly with petroleum products. Nitrile is a far better choice for gloves.
folivier
Explorer
Aug 16, 2017
Dawn foam does work great but will pull all the natural oils out of your skin. So after using it I have to use skin lotion.
FYI my wife makes foaming soap by reusing the foam pump bottles with water and a little bit of liquid soap of any kind. Try it and you'll realize how little soap there is in those ready made bottles. Add a drop of food color and a drop of whatever scent you like if you prefer.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Aug 16, 2017
My hands are NEVER cleaner than when I finish washing the dishes.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Aug 16, 2017
I've used Simple Green since it became available. I keep a squirt bottle in the tractor shed and garage and under the bath room sink.
Tractors/mowers/balers equipment get very dirty grease and can stain the hands and clothes. Squirt it on my hands/arms and simply wipe off.
Then hand soap and water when I get up to the house.
All_I_could_aff
Explorer
Aug 16, 2017
In my younger days...
1) Hand lotion before getting greasy,
2) Then clean up with a dribble of Automatic trans fluid to loosen the grease
3) Followed by powdered hand soap with fine pumice.
4) squirt of dawn dish detergent.
5) 12 ounces of cold beer
Lynnmor
Explorer
Aug 16, 2017
I've used Boraxo Powdered Hand Soap for at least 40 years. I find that the abrasive granules do more good than a slimy liquid soap.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Aug 16, 2017
Dawn Foam is in my shower...it and Tide for my work clothes is all I use.

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