ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area What's the easiest way to...

Folks,
Since working in my new job, I've had to get under rotary dairy platforms to inspect or repair the drive units and most of the farmers that own them, to be nice, their idea of maintenance is to cake everything in sight with thick grease.
Now, the question is, what is the easiest and kindest way to get grease out of your hair and off your skin.
I tried dishwashing liquid, soap, and shampoo, none of which worked, most of the grease came off on the towel.
I did think about the sort of hand cleaner we use at work but it seems too aggressive to use on your scalp.
After all, I'd hate to mess up my pretty hair-do!


Any thoughts guys?

Shave your head or wear a beanie.

Someone out there may have a recipe using natural ingredients that'll do the job.

Some handcleaner has no pumice in it so its smooth on your hands so try hunting down some of this for your hair/scalp.

Wear a hair net to keep the grease out of your hair. Simple Green works pretty well to get the grease out. If that does not do it use waterless hand cleaner followed by shampoo and conditioner. Rod

Wearing a cap or getting Kojaked seems to be the best idea.

Wear something on your head Mike. I look goofy with a respirator in the summer (attic work), but it keeps me from getting sinus infections. Ask the farmers what they use to get the grease out. Any solvent that works good on grease will really trash your beautiful hair and dry out that soft skin. About your skin...if you get some kind of lotion and put a LOT on your skin, your pores will fill up with the lotion so the grease stays on top. I'd also try the same thing with a mild soap. See which works better.

BTW how's the bambino?

Dave

I once had a job operating screw machines ... think of an early form of automated lathe. These machines - which had their heyday in the 50's - always managed to have a fine mist of oil about them; as a result, since then, I've kept my hair real short.

Now, for your problem .... the greases used are developed to be exceptionally water resistant. Pre-cleaning the area (steam hose), then getting into a boiler suit seems the only way to reduce the mess.

Otherwise, various towels and rags are sold specifically to catch / absorb oils. These can be used to blot the grease away, as the grease seems to prefer the fiber to you. Even ordinary toilet paper - even the shiny foreign kind - seems to do this quite well.

My last thought ... have you tried baby oil? That stuff seems to work where most else fails.

I second the waterless hand cleaner idea

Like A-Line I would say the Trevek Suit. The cost is reasonable (3 to 5 CDN$ each retail at one store I just checked, and probably less if bought in bulk from a supplier). You can also get nitrate gloves if you want to keep you hands clean.

If your contract says management has to provide you protective clothing get them to order them in for you.

The house painters and body shop guys use them when spraying so a paint wholesaler or body supply shop may be the best place to try if you have to buy them on your own.

Try a barrier cream. I've used both SBS 44 and Invisible Glove with success.

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