Hand Cleaners

About Hand Cleaners

Professional hand cleaners are essential for tradespeople and engineers who regularly handle oil, grease, paint, adhesives, and other stubborn contaminants that ordinary soap cannot remove. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks a comprehensive range of hand cleaning solutions from leading brands including Swarfega, Big Wipes, Rocol, and Gorilla, offering everything from heavy-duty pump pot cleaners to convenient hand wipes for site work. These specialist formulations combine powerful degreasing agents with skin-friendly ingredients, often incorporating natural pumice or fine abrasives to lift ingrained dirt quickly without causing excessive dryness or damage to hands subjected to repeated washing throughout the working day.

Beyond basic cleaning products, this category encompasses complete hand care systems for professional use. MyToolShed offers barrier creams that prevent contaminants from binding to skin, sanitising gels for maintaining hygiene on site, and restorative treatments like O'Keeffe's Working Hands that repair damage from harsh working conditions. Available formats include workshop pump pots, portable wipes, and the innovative Swarfega Van Cradle system designed specifically for mobile tradespeople, ensuring effective hand cleaning wherever work takes you.

Applications

Professional hand cleaners are used across numerous trades and industries:

• Motor mechanics and vehicle technicians removing oil, grease, and brake fluid
• Engineers and machinists dealing with cutting fluids and metal swarf
• Plumbers and heating engineers handling flux, soldering paste, and system inhibitors
• Painters and decorators cleaning off paint, varnish, and fillers
• Construction workers removing cement, concrete, and site grime
• Electricians and sparkies dealing with cable pulling grease
• Joiners and carpenters removing wood stains and adhesives
• Agricultural workers cleaning diesel and hydraulic fluid
• Maintenance teams for general workshop and repair work
• DIY enthusiasts tackling messy home improvement projects

Choosing The Right Hand Cleaners

Contaminant Type: Match your cleaner to what you're removing. Heavy-duty formulations like Swarfega Orange excel with oil and grease, whilst solvent-based products suit paint and adhesives. For general workshop grime, standard heavy-duty cleaners provide excellent results.

Format and Portability: Workshop-based users benefit from wall-mounted pump pots, whilst mobile tradespeople need portable solutions like van cradle systems or hand wipes such as Rocol Scrubs in a Bucket for site work without water access.

Skin Sensitivity: For frequent hand washing or sensitive skin, choose pH-balanced, dermatologically tested formulations with added moisturisers. Solvent-free options reduce irritation and drying, whilst barrier creams applied before work make cleaning easier and protect skin.

Abrasive Level: Heavy-duty cleaners with natural pumice remove deeply ingrained dirt effectively but should be used only when necessary. For lighter contamination or daily use, non-abrasive formulations prevent unnecessary skin wear.

Safety Information

Always read product labels before use and avoid contact with eyes—rinse immediately with clean water if contact occurs. Do not use hand cleaners on broken or damaged skin. Some formulations may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals; discontinue use if irritation develops. Ensure adequate ventilation when using solvent-based products in enclosed spaces. For frequent hand washing throughout the working day, use pH-balanced formulations and apply restorative hand creams to minimise skin damage. Products should comply with relevant COSHH regulations for workplace use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between heavy-duty hand cleaner and regular soap?
Heavy-duty hand cleaners contain specialised degreasing agents and often mild abrasives that break down industrial contaminants like oils, grease, and paint that ordinary soap cannot remove. They're formulated specifically for the stubborn substances tradespeople encounter, making hand cleaning far quicker and more effective whilst remaining safe for regular use.

Are hand wipes as effective as pump cleaners?
Quality hand wipes like Big Wipes and Rocol Scrubs provide excellent cleaning power and are particularly valuable for site work where water isn't available. Whilst pump cleaners with water may be more thorough for extremely heavy contamination, modern wipes offer convenience and portability without significant compromise on effectiveness, making them ideal for mobile tradespeople.

How can I prevent my hands from drying out with frequent washing?
Choose pH-balanced, solvent-free hand cleaners with added moisturisers available at MyToolShed.co.uk, and apply barrier cream before starting work. After your final wash, use restorative hand cream such as O'Keeffe's Working Hands to repair moisture barriers and prevent cracking. Consider wearing appropriate gloves when possible to reduce washing frequency.