Hand Cleaners

About Hand Cleaners

Professional hand cleaners are essential for tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts who need to remove stubborn contaminants including oil, grease, paint, adhesives, and workshop grime. Unlike ordinary soaps, industrial hand cleaners contain specialised formulations that break down ingrained dirt without excessive scrubbing or harsh abrasives that damage skin. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks trusted brands including Swarfega, Big Wipes, and O'Keeffe's in various formats such as pump pots, convenient wipes, spray bottles, and van-mounted cradle systems to ensure proper hand hygiene wherever work takes you.

Modern hand care extends beyond cleaning to include protective barrier creams that shield skin before work begins, hand sanitisers for additional hygiene protection, and intensive repair creams designed for working hands. Many formulations available at MyToolShed.co.uk are solvent-free with added moisturisers and skin conditioning agents, helping prevent the dryness and cracking that comes from frequent washing throughout the workday whilst meeting COSHH workplace requirements.

Applications

Professional hand cleaners are used across numerous trades and industries where workers regularly encounter difficult contaminants:

• Motor mechanics and vehicle technicians removing engine oil, grease, and brake fluid
• Painters and decorators cleaning oil-based paints, varnishes, and solvents
• Plumbers and heating engineers working with oils, flux, and jointing compounds
• Construction workers and builders handling cement, adhesives, and site grime
• Engineers and fabricators in manufacturing and industrial maintenance
• Electricians dealing with cable lubricants and installation materials
• Agricultural and farm workers exposed to diesel and hydraulic fluids
• Plant operators and HGV drivers maintaining equipment and vehicles
• Joiners and carpenters removing wood stains and finishing products
• DIY enthusiasts tackling home renovation and maintenance projects

Choosing The Right Hand Cleaners

Type of contaminant: Match cleaning power to your specific requirements. Heavy-duty formulations tackle oil, grease, and bitumen, whilst lighter cleaners suit general workshop dirt and paint. Avoid using unnecessarily harsh products when gentler options will suffice.

Format and dispensing: Select pump pots for fixed workshop locations, wipes for site work without water access, spray bottles for light cleaning, or van cradle systems for mobile tradespeople. Many professionals keep multiple formats for versatility.

Skin care: If washing hands frequently, prioritise formulations with moisturisers and skin conditioning agents. Solvent-free products reduce dermatitis risk. Consider pairing heavy-duty cleaners with barrier creams and repair creams for comprehensive protection.

Water requirements: Traditional hand cleaners require rinsing, which isn't always available on site. Waterless wipes and formulations provide effective cleaning when water access is limited, ideal for outdoor locations and mobile workers.

Volume and packaging: Large pump pots offer better value for busy workshops with multiple users, whilst smaller bottles suit individual tradespeople or lower-volume needs.

Safety Information

Always follow manufacturer's instructions and check product labels for COSHH information. Whilst formulated to be skin-safe, discontinue use if irritation develops and consult a healthcare professional. Avoid eye contact – if contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with clean water for at least 15 minutes. Keep products out of reach of children and store in cool, dry locations away from direct sunlight. Do not ingest hand cleaning products.

For workplaces, employers must provide adequate welfare facilities including suitable hand cleaning products under HSE regulations. Regular use of barrier creams before work and moisturising creams afterwards helps prevent occupational contact dermatitis. Dispose of used wipes responsibly – never flush down toilets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between regular soap and professional hand cleaners?
Professional hand cleaners contain specialised ingredients that break down industrial contaminants like oil, grease, paint, and adhesives that ordinary soaps cannot effectively remove. They often include natural scrubbing agents such as cornmeal or pumice, combined with skin conditioners to prevent dryness from frequent use.

Do hand cleaning wipes work as well as traditional pump cleaners?
Quality professional wipes are highly effective for removing industrial soiling and offer the advantage of not requiring water, making them ideal for site work. Whilst pump cleaners may offer slightly more scrubbing action for extremely heavy contamination, modern wipes from brands stocked by MyToolShed provide excellent cleaning power and convenience for mobile tradespeople.

Can I use heavy-duty hand cleaner multiple times daily?
Yes, modern heavy-duty cleaners are formulated for frequent professional use. To maintain healthy skin, choose solvent-free formulations with added moisturisers, and complement cleaning with barrier cream before work and intensive hand cream afterwards. This protect-clean-restore approach prevents dryness and cracking from frequent washing.