When working with a mounting gun, despite all the precautions, the foam now and then strives to get on your hands. Even the use of gloves does not always save from stains. How to wash mounting foam from hands, and is it possible to avoid damage to the skin? After all, this substance clings to it with the same success as to the porous surface of the wall.

We clean our hands from fresh foam

Until the composition has polymerized, it is quite simple to remove it with the help of various solvents. The most popular is acetone, which is found in different containers. In your home it may be:

  • in cylinders with a means for cleaning the mounting gun;
  • in glass vials for domestic use;
  • in nail polish removers.

It dries the skin, but with a quick processing of the foam does not cause serious irritation. Compounds such as White Spirit and other solvents can cause itching and burning on the skin, and are worse at removing foam. But in the absence of acetone, they will also work.

To clean the skin, products such as gasoline and vegetable oil are also used. With them, you will have to scrub your hands for a long time and with effort, but they do not allow the polymer to get stronger and grab a crust. Namely, this is important to avoid when foam gets on the skin.

After treatment with any composition, the hands must be washed with running water and soap. This is important in order to cleanse the skin of the dissolved polymer. Washing your hands late will result in your efforts being in vain, and a thin film will still remain on the skin for several days.

What not to do

Do not try to wash the foam with water, even using laundry soap, powder and strong degreasers, of which there are many in any home. Water provokes a rapid hardening of the substance, and household chemicals have absolutely no effect on it. The result of such attempts will be to spread the foam in a thin layer over a large area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe skin, and such a crust will then be more difficult to remove.

It will not work to remove fresh foam with a dry rag or sponge, the result will be the same. However, you should not resort to aggressive means:

  • alkalis;
  • acid;
  • solvent for acrylic paint.

These substances cause chemical burns, but do not act on the mounting foam. But skin damage can be very serious. An attempt to cut off an already frozen layer with a knife or blade is also dangerous.

To clean various surfaces, the Dimexide pharmacy agent is used, which is a strong antiseptic. Often, inexperienced craftsmen make the false conclusion that a medical product is safer for the skin than any solvents. But it can provoke a severe allergic reaction with such use, and it is better not to use it.

If the foam had time to harden on the skin?

In the event that you have not found a suitable solvent, let the foam swell and harden properly. Such a lump is quite easily torn off the skin with neat, slow and smooth movements. Residual marks can be smoothed out with a nail file or pumice stone, or allowed to come off on their own in 2-3 days.

If, by negligence, the substance was smeared and frozen with a thin crust, it will be difficult to wipe it off. You can use pumice stone, sandpaper, a hard brush. You need to act gently, without damaging the skin and systematically rolling the remnants of the film with the tool. To make the effect better, you can first hold your hand in warm vegetable oil.

After work, be sure to lubricate your hands with a greasy cream, because after removing the remnants of the mounting foam, there will definitely be microdamages on the skin. However, redness and irritation will pass within a day.

Many home works related to construction or repair are due to the mandatory use of mounting foam. Without this composition, neither windows nor doors can be installed, the balcony cannot be insulated, and pipes cannot be laid. It is famous both for its adhesive properties and the ability to quickly dry out and eat into clothes, skin, surfaces in the apartment.

Features of pollution

A person who does not understand repair issues and took a sealant for work for the first time will most likely fall into his hands. Working with polyurethane foam without gloves and not getting dirty is very difficult. Even if a person has taken all precautions, there is a chance that a couple of drops of sealant will be on uncovered areas of the skin.

Mounting foam is a type of sealant that contains polyurethane. It is produced in the form of an aerosol and is used in almost every type of construction and repair work. In the hardened form, such a composition becomes a solid polyurethane foam. The cylinder contains a mixture consisting of a liquid prepolymer and a propellant gas - a propellant. Due to the presence of this gas in it, the foam comes out from there. Solidification occurs through interaction with moisture, both located on the surface and contained in the air of the room. Accordingly, the drier the air in the room, the longer the composition will harden. You can speed up this process by spraying the foam with water from a spray bottle.

As a rule, hard foam is almost white, with a slight yellow tinge. However, if ultraviolet rays hit it, it turns yellow and loses its connecting properties. The weight of the composition is very small. In addition, the mounting sealant is not moisture resistant. The adhesive properties are very high - the composition does not “work” on Teflon, polyethylene, silicone, polypropylene.

When working with polyurethane foam, it is necessary to take into account its properties such as primary and secondary expansion. Primary is the expansion that occurs with the sealant immediately after it leaves the cylinder. Secondary - until the composition completely hardens. It can vary from 15 to 100%. In the case when the percentage of secondary expansion is high, it is necessary to apply the foam very economically in those places where there is a possibility of its strong swelling and due to this deformation of the surface.

It is necessary to purchase sealant only from trusted, certified sellers - this is the only way to avoid buying low-quality or material stored in the wrong conditions.

Cracks and cracks are filled with polyurethane foam for heat, hydro and sound insulation. In addition, pieces of building materials are fastened with it. Previously, cement or tow was used for these purposes, but this took a lot of time and effort, while the quality of adhesion of materials to each other sometimes left much to be desired.

At present, when a large number of new, natural and artificial materials have appeared, a better, faster and easier-to-use means for fastening them together is required. To work with mounting foam, no preparation is needed, and there is no need to use additional devices and tools - just purchase a cylinder, study the instructions for using the material, and you can begin construction or repair work.

In order for the foam to harden properly and not lose its properties, you must follow the rules for working with it:

  • The temperature should be in the range from +5 to +30 C.
  • Coincidence of the primary and secondary expansion of the foam with the size of the hole to be sealed. If it is less than 1 cm, then it is better to use putty.
  • Before starting work, the place where they will be produced is sprayed with water - so the foam will harden better.
  • Shaking the cylinder should be done for at least a minute so that all the contents turn into a homogeneous mass and mix well.
  • After applying the foam, it must again be sprayed with water.
  • Add sealant in case it seems that it is applied a little, it is necessary not earlier than in half an hour.

Of course, it is best to use thick rubber gloves when working with this type of hermetic mixture and wear work clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and throwing away in case of an unusual situation. But even then, there is a chance that drops of sealant will get on the skin. In this case, the foam closes the air, which can cause serious allergic reactions. Therefore, it must be washed quickly and painlessly, without damaging the skin.

Hair must be completely covered. You can use a regular knitted hat or shower cap. From the scalp, the remnants of the sealant will have to be removed only together with the hair.

Some experts recommend lubricating the skin with vegetable oil or petroleum jelly to prevent the hermetic composition from sticking to the hands. However, this is not very convenient. In addition, at the end of the work, washing everything that is touched by greasy palms is also problematic. Therefore, this advice is not widely used among those who know a little about repair and construction work.

What can be rubbed off?

It is much more difficult to remove mounting foam from the skin than from clothes or surfaces in the apartment. Therefore, you need to protect yourself as much as possible from the likelihood of such situations.

Mounting foam can be both fresh and hardened. The easiest way is to purchase a special cleaner for it when buying a sealant. It is usually also an aerosol.

If the sealant gets on your clothes, you must first remove the foam cap so that it does not soak into the fabric. This can be done with a knife or spatula. Soak a piece of clean rag with a cleaner and blot the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe fabric on which the foam has fallen. We must act quickly. After that, you need to immediately wash the clothes using a large amount of washing powder.

If for some reason a person did not have a cleaner, then gasoline, white spirit, or even nail polish remover with acetone is suitable for this purpose. But here great care will already be required so as not to harm the fabric, since all of the listed substances contain elements that can change its color. It is best to first try to clean a small area of ​​​​the material to make sure that the composition will not harm it.

If a dried spot of mounting foam has formed on a thing, then you need to hang this thing on the street - under the influence of the rays of the sun, the sealant will collapse and gradually move away from the fabric.

There are formulations suitable for cleaning both fabrics and surfaces. They are usually purchased at a building materials store.

  • For instance, Orbafoam Eliminator. Available in the form of a spray, it removes dried and old stains. But it should not be sprayed on plastic, painted or polished surfaces.
  • Pu Remover. It is a paste that also copes well with hardened foam. The composition does not smell, a brush and a spatula are sold with it - they can clean surfaces made of aluminum and all artificial materials. Porous surfaces can be damaged with a spatula, as well as bronze, zinc or copper.

As soon as the composition has got on your hands, you should immediately try to clean it off, preventing it from drying out. To do this, you need to take a clean napkin or rag and move the foam from all sides to the center. After that, you need to pick up the whole lump at once. Smearing is not recommended under any circumstances. After that, hands should be washed thoroughly.

In addition, traces of the hermetic composition can be wiped off the hands with such means as acetone, kerosene, salt and scrub.

Cleaning methods at home

Sealant can be both fresh and dried. Fresh foam can be removed with a special solvent. In addition, in order to independently wash the hermetic composition of the house, there are several more ways:

  • With the help of medical alcohol with a concentration of 3%. Soak a cotton ball in it, then gently wipe your hands: for the most part, those areas that the foam has hit. This method is ineffective if the composition has already begun to be absorbed and dry out.
  • Using acetone, including nail polish remover. First you need to very carefully and slowly remove the foam with a cotton pad soaked in it, and then thoroughly wash your hands with warm water and soap.
  • In a similar way, traces of foam can be washed off with kerosene. Like acetone, it is better to use it outdoors, since both liquids have a specific pungent odor.

  • In order to remove the foam from the skin of the hands, you can use warm vegetable oil. This tool will help in a few minutes to destroy all traces of sealant on your hands.
  • A handful of rock salt can also clean your hands. To do this, rub them thoroughly, then rinse in running water. You may need to repeat the procedure.
  • To remove the mounting foam, you can use a hand (or foot) scrub with large abrasive particles. You can also try coffee pomace, for example, from a coffee machine. You need to massage your hands with it for 1-2 minutes, then rinse with plenty of warm water.
  • You can improve the previous method by adding liquid soap or household shavings instead of salt - this method helps when washing fresh stains.
  • The drug "Dimexide" also cleans hermetic mixtures well. But since it is perfectly absorbed into the skin and has a considerable number of side effects, it is necessary to act with great care. If there are allergic reactions to the components of the drug, then it should never be used. And for cleaning walls, furniture, floors, it is perfect.

Solvents do not take hardened mounting foam - this is mentioned in each instruction for use. In this case, only mechanical action is suitable - you can use a pumice stone, a hard brush or soft sandpaper. In this case, it is better to protect your hands with a greasy cream, otherwise you can scratch the skin badly. You need to apply a large amount of soap on a brush or pumice stone, and then start scrubbing, but not very hard, avoiding damage to the skin. Periodically, the cream layer should be renewed (better when it contains aloe) so that the skin does not remain unprotected.

To speed up the cleansing process, you can gently scrape the skin with your nails. But this method is unpleasant and requires a lot of patience.

Even better, pre-steam your hands in a container of hot water. You need to keep your hands in the bath for at least 10 minutes, the water temperature should be at least 45 C. If you dissolve a tablespoon of salt in water, the cleansing process will go faster. After all traces of foam are wiped off, hands should be smeared with a thick layer of cream.

If the sealant has dried on the clothes, most likely, it needs to be “written off” to the working category. Erase traces of foam without damaging the fabric will not work. You can try scrubbing it off with a caulk cleaner, trying to apply it only to the stains with a cotton pad or swab.

You can also come across such a recommendation: put soiled clothes in the freezer, and then try to clean it. Perhaps a principle suitable for plasticine and chewing gum will work, and pieces of sealant will move away from the frozen fabric.

In addition, small drops of sealing material can be removed with a needle or nail scissors, and a cuticle cutter is best, as it has sharper and thinner blades. It is necessary to very carefully pick up the base of the drop and no less carefully detach it from the tissue fibers.

Mounting foam is an extremely convenient tool used during finishing work, but all its advantages can fade into the background, once you get dirty in this foam. However, there are many effective ways to remove polyurethane from hands that do not require much effort and money.

What is mounting foam

Polyurethane foam is a tool without which it is difficult to imagine a modern construction site. Today this material is used for the following purposes:

  • sealing;
  • soundproofing;
  • bonding (not in all cases);
  • warming.

Also, mounting foam is called polyurethane foam sealant (PPU), i.e. foamed polymer. Polyurethane foam is actively used in construction, for example, for sealing interpanel joints

In the air, the mounting foam becomes stronger, retaining its original structure and shape. The hardening time can be found in the instructions for use of PPU, but it is important to understand that this indicator may vary depending on temperature and humidity. The amount of foam also affects, for example, large volumes of it will harden longer than small pieces.

The main components of the mounting foam:

  • polyurethane;
  • propellant (another name is propellant gas).

The effect of polyurethane on humans

Polyurethane foam can be poisoned, but only if used improperly, and if we are talking about its frozen state, then there is nothing to be afraid of at all. When dried, it does not emit harmful substances into the atmosphere.

An exception may be low-quality products, but it is easy to avoid. It is enough to choose a well-known brand. In addition, low-quality foam is more likely to simply not harden.

To protect against possible toxic effects and skin contamination with foam, it is necessary to use personal protective equipment: a respirator, special goggles, gloves and long-sleeved clothing. In addition, PUF removers suitable for use on the skin should be prepared in advance.
Use mounting foam only in long-sleeved clothing, gloves and goggles

How to recognize low-quality polyurethane foam

If it so happened that the dubious foam has already been acquired, then it is enough to apply a small amount of it on any surface and see how it hardens.

Signs of poor quality foam:

  • does not adhere well to surfaces, runs or falls;
  • decreases more than twice after application (shrinks);
  • does not freeze at all;
  • quickly turns yellow and crumbles after solidification.

The last point is the most difficult to check, since this will take a lot of time.

It is worth noting that almost any foam becomes yellow and loose over time, but if this happens after a few days or weeks, then the quality should be questioned.


 If the mounting foam turned yellow and began to crumble after a few days or weeks, then it is of poor quality.

Methods for removing foam from the skin of the hands

Foam that has fallen on the skin of the hands must be removed as soon as possible so that it does not have time to harden, thereby creating many problems during removal. It is worth trying to immediately remove it with a napkin. If the foam does not rub off or is not completely removed, then other methods should be tried.

Special tools (removers)

As a rule, foam manufacturers also produce special aerosols that make it easier to remove PU foam that has not yet cured.

It is very easy to use these tools:

  1. Apply a certain amount of the product (according to the instructions) to the place of contamination.
  2. Wash off with plenty of water.

The possibility of applying the substance to the skin should be clarified in the attached instructions.


 Before applying the foam remover to the skin of the hands, you must read the instructions.

Solvents

On sale you can find a variety of types of solvents, including acetone, white spirit for paint and others. If there is nothing, then you can use a nail polish remover that contains acetone.

But it should be understood that when using solvents it is easy to get a chemical burn, and therefore it is worth resorting to their use only in extreme cases.

The cleaning method for all solvents is approximately the same:

  1. Put on a glove on a non-foam-contaminated hand.
  2. Take some cotton.
  3. Moisten the cotton with the solvent.
  4. Walk on the surface of the foam that fell on the other hand.
  5. Wash your hands with soap.
  6. Try to remove residues mechanically.

 White spirit - solvent gasoline, a mixture of liquid aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons

Mechanical methods for removing foam from the skin

Mechanical methods are based on the removal of foam by physical impact on the foam mass.

Using a body scrub

For mechanical removal of PPU, any good scrub with large abrasive particles is suitable. Do the following manipulations:

  1. Place your hands in hot water (to be tolerable and not cause burns).
  2. Apply a scrub.
  3. Remove the scrub either according to the instructions or (if the foam is difficult to remove) with a dishwashing sponge.

 The scrub should contain large cleansing particles, such as apricot kernels.

Using pumice and salt

  1. Pour enough water into the cup so that the contaminated part of the hand can be placed there.
  2. Put salt in water.
  3. Stir.
  4. Keep your hands in salt water for two to three minutes.
  5. Remove dirt with a pumice stone.

If the foam gets on a part of the hand that cannot be placed in a cup of water, then you can moisten a ball of cotton wool in this water and apply it to the contamination on the skin.

You can smear your hands with a greasy cream to soften the effect of pumice.


 Pumice - porous volcanic glass, often purchased for baths and saunas

Folk remedies for removing mounting foam

If there is neither a special agent nor a solvent, then you can always use what is always at hand.

Vegetable oil

Vegetable oil (for example, sunflower, olive) can wipe PPU from the skin. For this you need:

  1. Lightly heat up the oil.
  2. Wash your hands with this oil or wet wipes with it, then use them when removing the foam.

If the foam particles have hardened on the skin, then you should try dipping your hands in warm oil for 10-20 minutes. Can be combined with methods based on mechanical action.

This instruction also applies to kerosene, but this is already less safe.


 Of all vegetable oils, sunflower is the most affordable, but not the only one.

Alcohol

The obvious and simple way is to use alcohol. For this you need:

  1. Soak a cotton pad in alcohol.
  2. Wipe off the foam.

sunlight

If the foam has hardened hard enough to not succumb to any of the above methods, then you should just go out into the sun. The fact is that the mounting foam is destroyed by exposure to sunlight. Yes, this does not happen immediately, but, given the peculiarities of human skin regeneration, the remains of the foam will fall off within one or two days, if you are in the sun for more than 2-3 hours a day.

Dimexide is one of the most controversial substances that can be used when removing foam. This is a drug that has a number of contraindications and side effects that can make themselves felt if used carelessly, which is very difficult to avoid when removing the foam.
Dimexide is a drug used for diseases of the musculoskeletal system, baldness, acne, and so on, has a number of side effects

Contraindications for the use of Dimexide:

  • kidney failure;
  • angina;
  • atherosclerosis;
  • period of pregnancy and lactation (breastfeeding).

Side effects:

  • dermatitis;
  • allergic reactions;
  • dryness and peeling of the skin;
  • rarely - bronchospasm.

In case of an overdose, the chance of rare side effects increases, and frequent ones also increase. It is also worth noting that the tool can enhance the effect of ethanol on the body. You can use Dimexide at your own peril and risk, avoiding direct contact of a large amount of the product with the skin.

Application of Dimexide:

  1. Put on a clean hand.
  2. Take a napkin or cotton swab, soak it in the preparation.
  3. Gently walk over the pieces of foam on your hand. If there is a lot of pollution, you can leave a cotton swab or napkin on their surface for 5-10 minutes. Try to make sure that the product gets as little as possible on clean skin.
  4. Rinse the treated area thoroughly.

ADVANTAGES: removes stains of mounting foam DISADVANTAGES: none About the drug Dimexide, I read a long time ago on the Internet. There are reviews of girls who add this remedy to vitamin masks for hair and skin. The product thus penetrates the skin better. Delivers the right medicines deep into the skin and hair. But, so that the mounting foam is rubbed with dimexide. I was shocked by what I read. I also found it on the Internet at some construction forum. Men shared ways to remove mounting foam. I needed to remove a stain after a master failed to install a door. I didn't notice a strong smell as described. After 20 minutes, after applying dimexide to the foam, the foam begins to soften and it can be pry with a knife. It takes a very long time to scrub. The stain got smaller.

vladimirovna-83

http://otzovik.com/review_1593609.html

Video: removing mounting foam from the skin

Tools that should not be used

These products effectively dissolve the foam, but are not suitable for removing it from the skin, as they can cause a chemical burn:

  • "Purex";
  • "Termite";
  • "Russian professional";
  • PENO-OFF;
  • HOBBY.

Also don't use sandpaper. Indeed, it can be used to easily remove foam from a wooden surface, but it is absolutely not suitable for skin.

The use of vinegar or other acids will be a big mistake, since it will help little against foam, but it will leave a burn on the skin.

Vinegar is useless for cleaning skin from foam, but can leave a chemical burn.

Features of getting rid of frozen foam

Already frozen PPU can only be removed mechanically. You should cut off or tear off the part of the foam that you get.

  1. Soak your hands in warm water for 10-15 minutes.
  2. Lubricate the contaminated areas with oil or greasy cream.
  3. Take a pumice stone or a hard brush.
  4. Liberally lather the chosen tool.
  5. Begin to carefully remove the remaining foam.

It is much easier to prevent foam from getting on the skin than to mess with removing it later, trying different solvents, pumice and more. This will not only take you a lot of time, but also harm your health. Use foam carefully.

How to wash mounting foam from hands? - This question worries not only amateurs who have taken up repairs for the first time, but also experienced craftsmen. Some people advise generously lubricating your hands with oily cream or petroleum jelly before working with mounting foam. In such cases, the foam does not adhere well to the skin of the hands and can be easily removed in case of contact. But for sure, these people have not tried their own advice in practice, because it is very inconvenient to hold a balloon with foam and other tools with slippery greasy hands. And greasy stains from building materials are not easy to remove later. Therefore, such recommendations are very doubtful, and if the sealant gets on the skin, you just need to know how to wash off the mounting foam from your hands.

What is mounting foam?

Polyurethane foam is a sealant that is made on the basis of polyurethane. The solution is produced in aerosol packages and is widely used in construction and repair work. Its purpose is to fill gaps and cracks for effective sound, hydro and heat insulation, fastening individual parts of building materials into a single whole.

Mounting foam appeared in the construction industry relatively recently. Instead of foam, cement and tow were previously 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 preparing the necessary substance, and additional tools are not needed at all when working with sealant.

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

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

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 must always be remembered, is that the sealant must be removed immediately as soon as it gets on the skin of the hands or on clothes.

Try to remove the contamination with a clean napkin or cloth, gently shifting the foam to the center of the stain. Residues must be washed off immediately before the composition has completely frozen.

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

If it was not possible to completely remove the foam in this way, then use one of the following aids.

Special aerosol

Before you start working with mounting foam, it is advisable to purchase a special solvent aerosol. The ideal option is the means of the same manufacturer as the foam can.

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 its application.

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

  1. Spray the solvent aerosol onto the contaminated area of ​​the skin.
  2. Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water.

This tool perfectly copes with liquid, not hardened polyurethane foam. But before the frozen substance, it is powerless.

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

Acetone

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

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

Important! You must act quickly and carefully. Acetone has a specific smell, so it is best to clean it outdoors or in a well-ventilated area..

Kerosene

This liquid is also effective enough to remove sealant from hands. It should be used in a similar way to acetone.

How to clean hands from polyurethane foam at home?

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

Vegetable oil

This option for cleaning mounting foam from your hands is absolutely harmless and safe for the skin.

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

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

Salt

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

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

Important! Hands should be treated with salt very carefully so as not to scratch the skin.

How to remove mounting foam from hands if it has already hardened?

If you did not manage to remove the mounting foam from your hands before it had hardened yet, then the cleaning process will take longer, because practically no solvent mentioned above can remove the hardened mass.

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

  • Hard brush, pumice stone or soft sandpaper.
  • Fatty 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 the contaminated areas of the skin of the hands with a greasy cream or vegetable oil. This will soften the harsh effect of the brush on the skin.
  2. Scrub a stiff brush or pumice stone with plenty of soap.
  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..

Some people, out of ignorance of the correct solution to the problem, try various means. Subsequently, they either do not get any result or get the desired effect, but cause irreparable harm to the integrity of the epidermis. So, what means to remove the sealant from the skin is not recommended.

Vinegar and other acids

Never experiment with acids, such as vinegar. You will not wait for the desired effect, but getting a serious chemical burn is quite realistic.

Important! This especially applies to the situation when you decide to use not the usual canteen 7-9% vinegar, but 70% essence.

Dimexide

Many recommend this medication as an effective tool for cleaning hands from mounting foam. Indeed, it dissolves construction foam well, but it is strictly forbidden to treat the skin with it without an appointment and further control of the doctor.

Important! "Dimexide" is quickly absorbed into the skin and enters the human body. But just like any drug, it has a number of side effects. Therefore, it is better to use it for cleaning soiled furniture, floors and walls, but not leather.

Alkaline products

Do not use detergents with a high concentration of alkali to clean such hand contamination. They are not able to remove traces of sealant, but they will quickly break the normal skin acid balance.

  • If you still failed to remove the sealant using one of the described methods, then do not despair. Due to the fact that skin cells are constantly being updated, pollution will clear itself after a while.
  • After successful removal of contamination, you should generously smear your hands with hand cream or aloe juice to soothe and moisturize the skin after an unpleasant procedure.

Preparation for work with polyurethane foam:

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

  • Be sure to wear gloves and goggles.
  • Wear work clothes that you don't mind throwing away later.
  • Protect your hair from getting foam on it. To do this, wear a hat.
  • Cover all furniture, floors and walls that may get dirty during work with disposable protective material. It can be film or paper.
  • Purchase special cleansers that will help you quickly remove fresh, accidental foam stains.
  • It is advisable to work with a partner who will help close the through holes, cover objects near the workplace, and substitute paper under the hanging drop of sealant.

    • 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 mounting foam. But if trouble has happened, then you should not be upset. Use one of the methods described above, act quickly and carefully, and the skin will be saved, and there will be no trace of pollution.

For cleaning hands from contamination with mounting foam, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bcontact of the foam with the skin is of fundamental importance. The larger the stain, the more difficult it is to clean. Even more important is the degree of polymerization (hardening) of the material. If possible, the foam must be removed immediately. After 10-15 minutes, it is much more difficult to do this. Older residues on the skin of the hands are not easy to remove.

Special liquids and aerosols

Foam manufacturers also produce special washes. Most of them are designed for cleaning guns and smooth work surfaces (window sills, door and window frames, doors). Liquids for cleaning hands are not produced, since the cured polyurethane is irreversible. It can be softened only with sufficiently aggressive solvents, contact of which with human skin is undesirable.

But, if skin contamination has already occurred, many builders resort to standard liquids and aerosols, hoping to clean their hands without compromising health.

The released substances are designed only for cleaning from fresh foam:

  1. IOFARM R621. Aerosol for cleaning tools, contaminated surfaces, hands. The main active ingredient is acetone. Applicable only for the removal of fresh contaminants.
  2. PENOSIL Foam Cleaner. Aerosol for cleaning with fresh, uncured foam. Can be used to remove stains from plastics (leaves no residue).
  3. OPPA. Aerosol removal of unhardened fragments. It is also used for cleaning and degreasing plastic and glass surfaces.
  4. PENOSIL Premium Cured PU-Foam Remover. Remover for hardened foam. Spray can. Not effective on adhesive (highly absorbent, porous) surfaces.
  5. Cosmofen S5. Plastic polishing agent. Cleans fresh lather. The main purpose is to remove defects and scratches from opaque vinyl (PVC) surfaces.

Very few special solvents are needed to clean hands. Therefore, when choosing a liquid or aerosol, their additional capabilities are important so that the purchased can is in demand in full.

If at the time of contamination there were no special liquids, common, standard solvents are used:

  1. Acetone and acetone-containing liquids (composite thinner 646, nail polish removers). Small amounts are not as toxic because acetone is a product of natural metabolism present in the body.
  2. White Spirit. Not very efficient. However, it is better than using soap and water.
  3. Solvent 647. Multicomponent liquid based on acetates and toluene. Toxic.

In order to avoid complications from skin contact with aggressive liquids (for chronic allergies), it is possible to use heated vegetable oil. This substance is not so effective. But not without side effects, environmentally friendly.

How to clean your hands from fresh foam

The foam that has not had time to harden (polymerize) is washed off quite easily. The main thing is to follow simple rules:

  1. Localize the spot. Contamination is wiped with napkins, toilet paper or soft rags. Movement must be directed to the center of the spot so that it decreases rather than increases.
  2. Solvents. Aerosol washes are sprayed from a distance of 10-15 cm onto the soiled areas. If the stain is small, you can spray the substance not on pollution, but on a rag, which can be cleaned from a distance of 1-2 cm.
  3. Removal of solvents. After cleaning the hands, they are washed with soap and hot running water.

Fresh foam washes off quite easily. However, it is not always possible to interrupt work for hand care. In this case, you have to face the problem of cleaning from old stains.

What to do if the foam has hardened on your hands

Well-dried foam cannot be removed with ordinary solvents and washes. There are special compositions of substances. But practice shows that they are not effective:

  • Pollution practically does not change its properties.
  • Solvents are toxic, have a bad effect on the skin of the hands and, being absorbed into the pores, on the liver and cardiovascular system of the body.

For example, PU REMOVER is a paste-cleaner for hardened foam. The substance is indeed capable of softening dried polyurethane foam, but, according to the manufacturer's instructions, it is applicable only on smooth, non-porous surfaces. Excellent proved itself on metals, glass, but not productively on the hands.

Sequence of actions when removing dried foam

The easiest way to clean old contaminants from polyurethane foam is to naturally change the epithelium: the upper layers of the skin periodically change, flake off. Along with them, persistent pollution also “departs”. The process lasts from several days to 7-10 days, but it can be accelerated:

  1. Thinning. The foam layer must be made as thin as possible. This is done mechanically: the foam is carefully, so as not to damage the skin, erased with fine sandpaper, pumice stone. Sometimes a razor blade is also used, but this method is not recommended because cuts and wounds are inevitable. It is worth remembering that under the skin of the hands, the veins are located very close.
  2. Steaming. Hands can be steamed in hot water (at a temperature of 60-65 degrees). Steaming time depends on the quality of the foam, the degree of its penetration into the pores and the initial condition of the skin.

After 10-15 minutes, hands are wiped and dried. The spot is localized, the thinnest parts of the spots will disappear. Thick ones need to be thinned and steamed again.

If it was not possible to completely wash off the remnants of the foam, a children's moisturizer should be smeared on the contaminated places at night. This method is not as effective as steaming. But it "works" all night and, as a rule, brings certain results.

How bad is polyurethane?

The active substance of the mounting foam is polyurethane foam (PPU). Fresh and in the process of solidification, it releases toxic substances. Therefore, PPU contact with the skin is undesirable and causes irritation, allergic reactions. Frozen, it is no more dangerous than foam rubber.

How to keep your hands safe

It is enough to use rubberized gloves. Ordinary cotton ones are also suitable, but they are not able to fully protect the hands, because they get wet, they are permeable to foam. However, the area of ​​contamination will be reduced, especially if you change them more often.

It should be remembered that it is easier to foresee possible contamination than to remove dried polyurethane stains later. After all, it is so difficult.

Video: how to remove mounting foam from hands