How to wash the mounting foam from your hands?

How to wash the mounting foam from your hands? - This question worries not only amateurs who first took up the repair, but also experienced craftsmen. Some people advise to grease hands with greasy cream or petroleum jelly before working with polyurethane foam. In such cases, the foam does not adhere well to the skin of the hands and can easily be removed in the event of contact. But surely these people did not try their own tips in practice, because with slippery greasy hands it is very inconvenient to hold a bottle of foam and other tools. Yes, and greasy stains from building materials then it is not easy to remove. Therefore, such recommendations are very doubtful, and if the sealant gets on the skin, you just need to know how to wash the mounting foam from your hands.

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What is polyurethane foam?

Polyurethane foam is a sealant based on polyurethane. The solution is produced in aerosol containers and is widely used in construction and repair work. Its purpose is to fill cracks and cracks for effective sound, hydro and thermal insulation, fasten individual parts of the building material into a single whole.

There is a mounting foam in the construction industry relatively recently. Instead of foam, cement and tow were widely used, but the use of these materials took a lot of time and a lot of work. The appearance of polyurethane foam greatly simplified such work, because there is no stage of preparation of the necessary substance, and additional tools are not needed when working with sealant.

But in the frozen state, the foam is a solid polyurethane foam. Upon contact with the skin, the sealant adversely affects its cells, as it completely blocks the air flow. This building material can provoke the appearance of irritation on the skin of not only the hands, but also the whole body, as well as other manifestations of an allergic reaction. Therefore, it is very important to know how to wash the mounting foam from your hands quickly, without causing a fatal problem to the epidermis.

Important! To significantly reduce the likelihood of mounting foam on the skin of the hands, it is necessary to work with it in personal protective equipment. Thick rubber gloves and work clothes will do just fine.

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How to wash the mounting foam from your hands if it has not yet had time to harden?

The simplest rule in working with foam, which you must always remember, is that the sealant must be removed immediately as soon as it gets on the skin of your hands or clothing.

Try to remove dirt with a clean cloth or rag, carefully moving the foam toward the center of the stain. The residues must be washed off immediately, until the composition has solidified completely.

Important! When you try to wash the mounting foam off your hands, be careful not to smear it on the skin.

If you cannot completely remove the foam in this way, use one of the following aids.

Special aerosol

Before you start working with polyurethane foam, it is advisable to purchase a special aerosol solvent. Ideal are the products of the same manufacturer as the foam bottle.

Important! You will also need a similar solvent to clean the guns with which the sealant was applied.The tool is available in the form of an aerosol, which greatly simplifies the process of applying it.

In order to wash the mounting foam from your hands, you need to do the following simple steps:

1. Spray solvent spray on contaminated skin.
2. Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water.

This tool copes well with liquid, not hardened mounting foam. But before a frozen substance, it is powerless.

Important! Before using a special aerosol solvent, you should definitely read its instructions.

Acetone

Pure acetone or nail polish remover with acetone content will help get rid of the solidified mass. The principle of application is extremely simple:

1. Moisten a cloth or cotton pad in acetone and carefully remove the mounting foam from your hands.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap under running water.

Important! Act quickly and accurately. Acetone has a specific odor, so it is best to clean it outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

Kerosene

This fluid is also effective enough to remove sealant from the hands. It should be used in a manner analogous to acetone.

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How to clean hands from foam at home?

If the above liquids were not found in your home, then you can use the means at hand.

Vegetable oil

This option to clean the foam with your hands is completely harmless and safe for the skin.

1. Lightly heat the vegetable oil.
2. Soak a cotton swab in the oil and treat the dirt on the skin.

Important! Surprisingly, this tool is able to remove even frozen construction foam. To do this, arm yourself with patience and hold for 20-30 minutes a moistened cotton wool in oil at the site of contamination.

Salt

Salt is an abrasive substance, so it is able to remove foam and its residues from the hands:

1. Rub a small amount of salt on the contaminated seals.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water.

Important! Hand salt should be handled very carefully so as not to scratch the skin.

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How to remove polyurethane foam from hands, if it is already frozen?

If you didn’t have time to remove the mounting foam from your hands before it had time to harden, then the cleaning process will take longer because almost no aforementioned solvent will be able to remove the hardened mass.

In this case, the foam can only be cleaned mechanically. To do this, you will need:

• Hard brush, pumice stone or soft sandpaper.
• Fat cream or vegetable oil.
• Soap.

The procedure should be carried out very carefully so as not to harm the upper layer of the epidermis:

1. Spread contaminated areas of your skin with oily cream or vegetable oil. This will soften the harsh effect of the brush on the skin.
2. Treat a stiff brush or pumice with soap and water.
3. Gently, slowly, rub the hardened foam with a brush.

Important! To make the foam removal process a little easier, you can pre-steam your hands in hot water for 8-10 minutes.

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What is not recommended to clean the hands from the mounting foam?

Some people try different remedies for not knowing the correct solution to the problem. Subsequently, they either do not get any result or get the necessary effect, but cause irreparable damage to the integrity of the epidermis. So, what means to remove sealant from the skin is not recommended.

Vinegar and other acids

In no case do not experiment with acids, such as vinegar. You won’t get the desired effect, but getting a serious chemical burn is real.

Important! This especially applies to the situation when you decided not to use ordinary canteens 7-9% vinegar, but 70% essence.

Dimexide

Many recommend this medication as an effective tool for cleaning hands from foam. Indeed, it dissolves building foam well, but it is strictly forbidden to treat the skin with it without prescribing and further monitoring by a doctor.

Important! “Dimexide” is rapidly absorbed into the skin and enters the human body. But so, like any drug, it has a number of side effects. Therefore, it is better to use it to clean dirty furniture, floors and walls, but not leather.

Alkaline products

Do not use products with an increased concentration of alkali to clean such hand contaminants. They are not able to remove traces of sealant, but normal skin acid balance will be disturbed quickly.

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Helpful hints:

• If you did not succeed in removing the sealant using one of the described methods, then do not despair. Due to the fact that skin cells are constantly updated, the impurities will be cleaned after a while.
• After successfully removing the contamination, you should generously spread your hands with hand cream or aloe juice to soothe and moisturize the skin after an unpleasant procedure.

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Preparation for work with polyurethane foam:

In order to avoid getting sealant on clothes, furniture, walls, floors and skin of hands, you should prepare in advance for working with it:

• Be sure to wear gloves and safety glasses.
• Use work clothing that is not a pity to throw away in the future.
• Protect your hair from foam. To do this, put on a hat.
• Cover all furniture, floors and walls that may get dirty during use, with disposable protective material. It can be film or paper.
• Get special cleansers that help you quickly remove fresh, random stains of foam.
• It is desirable to work with a partner who will help close the through holes, cover objects located near the workplace, and substitute paper under the overhanging drop of sealant.

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By following the simple rules for working with sealant, you can avoid finding a solution to the problem of how to wash your hands from the foam. But if the trouble happened, then do not get upset. Use one of the above methods, act quickly and accurately, and the skin will be saved, and there will be no trace of pollution.