How to wash the foam with hands?

When performing installation work with various structures, for the elimination of cavities, joints between the walls, as well as for the purpose of sound, noise and thermal insulation, use construction foam (MP). It is a polyurethane sealant. After exiting the cylinder, it expands and hardens.

Working with this tool, while observing precautions, is not difficult. Therefore, it can even perform a beginner. Perhaps for this reason or because of inaccurate handling of the tool, but very often it falls on the skin of the hands. If time does not take action, then remove the remnants of the foam becomes very problematic. How this problem can be solved and how to prevent it will be discussed in this article.

So, in cases where the foam has hit the skin and has not yet had time to harden, you must start removing it immediately. The most important rule: in every way try not to rub the stain from the MP on the arm, otherwise its elimination may be delayed for a long time. In cases where the particles of the assembly have dried out, their removal is possible only mechanically using pumice stone, fine sanding pads or brushes with stiff bristles.

Creators of foams also produce special products that are recommended for cleaning guns, as well as windows, door panels and openings. Special liquids for the removal of dirt on the hands are not made. Polyurethane softening is possible only under the influence of strong solvent substances. Due to the negative effect on the skin, it is possible to apply them to cleanse contaminated skin areas only in extreme situations.

List of solvents aimed at the removal of fresh MP.

• Iofarm R621. Spray, used to destroy contaminants from the instrument, various coatings and skin. The active acting element is propanone. Productive for removing fresh stains.
• Penosil Foam Cleaner. Aerosol, also suitable for removing dirt on plastic coatings.
• Oppa. This spray is suitable for cleansing plastic and glass.
• Penosil Premium Cured PU-Foam Remover. Aerosol is not recommended for cleaning uneven surfaces.
• Cosmofen S5. Means for grinding plastic coatings.

Household or toilet soap, kerosene, acetone or nail polish remover, special aerosols, heated sunflower oil, body scrubs, common sodium or sea salt, soda, Dimexide medicine or white or spirit How best to use these tools will be discussed below.

So, we will consider cases when the MP did not have time to harden and with the help of what means it can be eliminated.

If polyurethane foam only got on the skin, then it can be washed using one of the following methods.

• Use wet napkin, it is necessary to move from the edge of pollution to the center. It is necessary to remove the stain very carefully, do not rub it. After that you can wash your hands with warm water.
• Application solvent spray. This is a universal remedy that is suitable both for cleaning guns, through which the MP is applied, and for furniture and other surfaces. Apply it to the dirt, then rinse your hands thoroughly with soap and running water. If the effect is small, you need to repeat the procedure.

• Via acetone or nail polish remover. Moisten a cotton pad or piece of gauze in the tool, then quickly wipe the contaminated area. If there is no effect, it is worth repeating the process. Then you need to thoroughly wash your hands under running water with soap. It should not be forgotten that the solvent has a very strong, strong odor and, if possible, cleaning should be done outside or in a well-ventilated area.
• Use kerosene by analogy with the previous method. The duration of the procedure takes about half an hour, sometimes more, it all depends on the degree of contamination. After cleansing, you must wash your hands with soap and water, because the product has a specific persistent odor.
• Application sunflower oil. First, you need to warm it up for a few minutes, then wipe it with gauze soaked in it. Or you can leave an oiled piece of cloth in a polluted place for 20-25 minutes. Then wipe the soiled area with a brush or washcloth. If there is no effect, it is recommended to repeat the procedure, then wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

• Sea salt. It is necessary to thoroughly wipe the hands with salt crystals, then rinse with water. Compared with chemical means, salt gently affects the skin, saturating it with iodine. The effect is similar with the use of scrub. However, this method is hardly suitable for very delicate skin, there is a risk of damage and even irritation.
• Instead of salt, you can use sodium bicarbonate. In a small amount of water it is diluted to a mushy state and applied to the contaminated area of ​​the skin. Leave it for 7-10 minutes, after which hands are washed under running water. As you know, soda makes the skin very dry, for this reason, after the cleansing procedure, it is necessary to lubricate the hands with a nourishing cream or cosmetic oil.
• Medicine "Dimexide". First you need to dilute it with water in the ratio of 2 to 1, so as not to damage the epidermis. Next, moisten a small piece of gauze in the resulting solution and wipe off the pollution with gentle movements. After the procedure, wash your hands with soap and water.

After applying these or other cleaners, you must wash your hands with soap and water, otherwise all efforts to remove the sealant will be in vain. Indeed, after cleansing with such agents an invisible film remains on the skin, which can cause severe irritation. If you simply wipe your hands with a towel, there will be no effect, a thin layer of solvent will remain.

In situations where the installation tool has fallen on the hair, heated sunflower oil will help to remove it.A warm product should be applied to the fabric and rubbed into the hair until complete contamination is removed. After that, wash your hair with shampoo.

If you have very delicate skin or are likely to be allergic to chemicals, then these methods are unlikely to help. It is worth trying alternative methods. For example, you can perform this procedure: first, put your hands in a bowl of hot water for 5-10 minutes. For greater effect, it is worth adding table salt at the rate of one tablespoon to one liter of liquid.

Then, it is good to soap and rub the stained areas with a washcloth. Or you can use a body scrub. This method is considered gentle and quite effective.

In cases where the foam has dried, it will be much more difficult to eliminate the pollution. In this situation, folk methods and chemical solvents become impotent. It will only help the mechanical effect. With this method of cleaning you can use pumicit, fine sanding pelt or a brush with stiff bristles. Before the procedure it is necessary to apply sunflower oil or fat cream to the contaminated part of the skin in order to mitigate the effects of abrasives.

It is necessary to carefully remove some of the pollution with a knife or other pointed object, trying not to damage the skin. It is better not to touch the remaining foam particles on your hands, otherwise you may get hurt. It is better to leave everything as it is, the spots will disappear after a certain time. This usually happens in 3-4 days.

To speed up the process of their elimination, the following procedure can be carried out.

• Apply any cosmetic nutrient to your stained hands. Suitable cream, petrolatum, glycerin or vegetable oil.
• Liberally lather a tough sponge or brush. For such a procedure it is recommended to use household soap, because it contains a lot of natural substances that contribute to the elimination of even heavy pollution. Also, it almost does not cause allergies.
• Then you need to put your hands in warm water for 10-15 minutes. After that, carefully remove the polyurethane foam from the contaminated area.
• If the effect is minimal, it is worth repeating the procedure. The process is a long one, but it doesn’t seriously traumatize the skin, as in the case of using chemical solvents.
• In conclusion, it is worth treating the skin with a nourishing cream or cosmetic oil.

What preliminary procedures should be carried out in order not to eliminate the consequences of pollution?

• Before performing work, wear rubber or rag gloves. But it must also be borne in mind that MPs can penetrate through the fabric base of hand protection. In this connection, it is recommended to apply a nourishing cream, petroleum jelly or glycerin before it, thus reducing the likelihood of MT residues sticking to the skin.
• Clothes should be worn in such a way that if it is heavily soiled it is not a pity to throw it away. It is preferable if it is with long sleeves. Uncovered areas should be as small as possible. Protective headgear should completely hide hair from possible splashes of sealant.
• It is also important to protect your eyes with special glasses.In case of contact with the mounting tool, it is almost impossible to remove it from the face without assistance. Medical assistance will be required.

Even if you have tried all sorts of ways to remove foam from the skin, and there is no result, you should not despair. There is always a way out, as they say. Since it was not possible to eliminate the frozen mud with the help of chemical agents, it will still happen only by natural means, that is, by regenerating the skin. Verified by what is called an empirical way.

• In the case when you do not want to wait several days until the remnants of the installation tool disappear, you can try to clean them with your own nails. The process is long, but effective. And allergies in this case will not occur.
• If you do not want to cause great harm to your health, do not use substances that contain acids and alkaline elements. In particular, it is not recommended to apply acetic solution, Domestos, Whiteness and similar substances to cleanse the dirt on the skin. Because nothing but a chemical burn, in this case you will not get.
• After you have removed the particles of polyurethane foam, do not forget to take care of the hands. Indeed, in such situations, they experience real stress and need to be somehow “saved” from it. Treat your hands with some very nutritious cream, special cosmetic oil, petroleum jelly or a preparation prepared at home. It is best suited for such purposes oils such as olive, flaxseed, coconut, almond, shea butter, jojoba, avocado, and castor oil.
• No less useful creams and ointments containing aloe or ginseng extract. You can also cook at home a hand bath of calendula or chamomile. After the procedure, you need to lubricate the skin with olive or any other oil and wear cotton gloves for the greatest effect.

There are many ways, you should focus on personal preferences.

Based on the foregoing, the following conclusion should be made: always before installation or construction work it is necessary to provide yourself with protective equipment (appropriate clothing, rubber or cloth gloves and goggles). Thus, you can prevent the ingress of harmful substances and polyurethane foam in particular.

By applying these guidelines, you do not have to look for ways to erase contamination. If, however, the sealant does get on the skin, then you need to act immediately and try to remove the pollution immediately, otherwise after drying, this procedure may take a long time.

About how to wash the foam with hands at home, see the following video.