If you are a mechanic, whether for cars, boats, airplanes, or anything in between, one thing all mechanics have in common is that they get covered in oil and grease. Automotive oil and grease is extremely hard to remove from the hands.
Soap and water alone will absolutely not get the job done. However, this is why the powers that be produce specialized hand cleaners for mechanics, specifically for this kind of thing. Today we want to help you find the best hand cleaner for mechanics.
We’ve got a comprehensive buyer’s guide, complete with tips on how to find the best hand cleaner for mechanics, and some pressing questions answered too. To top it all off, we’ve also reviewed a variety of the best products on the market at this time.
Hand Cleaner for Mechanics – Buying Guide & FAQ
Factors to Consider before Buying Hand Cleaners for Mechanics
Before you buy any sort of mechanic hand cleaner to remove oil and automotive grease, there are some important considerations you need to keep in mind, so let’s go over these right now.
Quantity & Amount of Application
When you are looking for soap for mechanics, one important thing to look out for is how much of each product you get. Some come in huge tubs designed to be used in the shop whereas others may be used on the go.
The point here is that you need to compare how much of the product needs to be applied for effective grease removal, compared to how much you actually get. Getting a huge tub is not the best if you need to use a ton of it each time.
Portability & Ease of Use
Something else to consider before buying mechanic hand wash is how portable it is. Once again, these products come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Do you need something to sit in the auto shop in one place or do you need a small product that you can fit in our pocket and take on the go.
On that same note, ease of use is a big deal too. How long do you have to scrub? Do you have to wash it off with water? Are they simple wipes that you can just use and then throw away?
Grease & Oil Cutting Power
Of course, the most important aspect of any automotive hand cleaners is how well they actually work to cut thorough oil and grease. Now, there are a variety of ingredients which any formula may contain which can cut through oil and grease with ease.
Just make sure that you read some reviews and choose one that actually works. Fair warning, not all products work as well as advertised.
The right ingredients can make all of the difference here. On a side note, a bit reason why there are so many citrus based automotive hand cleaners out there is because citrus acid does a fantastic job in this regard.
Pumice or Scrubbers
Something you might want to look out for is a mechanic hand wash that contains something like pumice, sand, or coarsely ground walnut shells.
Texture does make a big difference here, and having some sort of coarse and abrasive material goes a long way in getting rid of oil and grease. Coarse substance cause oil and grease to adhere to them, which is exactly what you need here.
A Gentle Formula
Now, you do want to look for a hand cleaner that has good ingredients and has plenty of grease cutting power.
However, at the same time, it’s also wise to look for something that is solvent and petroleum free. The less harsh chemicals and compounds the product in question contains, the safer it will be to use, especially for a prolonged period of time.
Moisturization & Protection
Not all grease cleaners for mechanics will do this, but the best of the best will contain moisturizing ingredients. These types of products can really dry skin out, so finding one that not only removes grease, but can also moisturize and protect your hands at the same time is a big bonus.
The Smell
While definitely not the most important purchasing factor to consider, a soap or grease cleaner that actually smells good never hurts.
Why do so many hand cleaners for mechanics contain orange/citrus?
The reason for this is not only because citrus smells pleasant, but because citric acid is great at cutting through oil and grease.
How to remove grease & oil from under fingernails?
Fingernails can be very stubborn in this regard. Really the only way to get everything out from under fingernails is to use a heavy duty cleaner combined with a scrub brush.
Does water remove oil & grease?
No, water simply sits on top of oil and grease and will do absolutely nothing to remove those substances. This is why most products designed for this purpose are not made with water.
What is a good way to remove grease and oil from hands?
Many mechanics resort to using friction. In other words, get a coarse towel or cloth and start wiping your hands quickly. The heat and friction generate should go a long way in removing oil and grease.
Does soap for mechanics dry skin out?
There are many options which will dry out the skin, as the same substance used to remove oil and grease will also remove moisture from your hands. This is why many such products also include ingredients such as Vitamin E and aloe to help soothe hands and provide some moisturization.
The Best Hand Cleaner for Mechanics
Here we have what are considered to be the best hand cleaners for mechanics for removing automotive grease, dirt, grime, and more.
The top best product
- 1 Factors to Consider before Buying Hand Cleaners for Mechanics
- 2 Quantity & Amount of Application
- 3 Portability & Ease of Use
- 4 Grease & Oil Cutting Power
- 5 Pumice or Scrubbers
- 6 A Gentle Formula
- 7 Moisturization & Protection
- 8 The Smell
- 9 Why do so many hand cleaners for mechanics contain orange/citrus?
- 10 How to remove grease & oil from under fingernails?
- 11 Does water remove oil & grease?
- 12 What is a good way to remove grease and oil from hands?
- 13 Does soap for mechanics dry skin out?
- 14 GOJO NATURAL ORANGE Pumice Industrial Hand Cleaner
- 15 Permatex 23122 Fast Orange Smooth Lotion Hand Cleaner
- 16 WONDER SCRUB Hand Cleaner
- 17 Tub O Scrub Heavy Duty Hand Cleaner
- 18 Grip Clean Auto Mechanic Hand Cleaner
- 19 Grime Boss Heavy Duty Hand Cleaning Wipes
- 20 Grip Clean Auto Mechanic Hand Cleaner
GOJO NATURAL ORANGE Pumice Industrial Hand Cleaner
The real difference maker here is how the whole solution is filled with pumice, little sandy grains designed to adhere to grease for great hand cleaning.
GOJO NATURAL ORANGE Pumice Industrial Hand Cleaner is designed to provide for effective grease removal without the need for harsh chemicals and solvents, thus making it safe to use. Many people may also enjoy the orange citrus scent which it features.
Pumice adheres to grease and scrubs it away
Nice orange scent
Very easy to use
Industrial quantity for long term use
No harsh solvents
May dry out hands a little bit
Permatex 23122 Fast Orange Smooth Lotion Hand Cleaner
Simply apply it to your hands, rub it around, and wash it off, or use a cloth to remove it. What is also worth noting about Permatex 23122 Fast Orange Smooth Lotion Hand Cleaner is that it is biodegradable and eco-friendly.
In fact, this product can also be used to remove oil and grease from laundry and tile floors, plus it can remove pet stains and scuff marks too. Permatex 23122 Fast Orange Smooth Lotion Hand Cleaner is also designed to provide your hands with moisture and conditioning, which is thanks to the addition of aloe, lanolin, glycerin, and other skin conditioners.
Can be used for various purposes
Also conditions and moisturizes hands
Non-toxic, no harsh chemicals, and eco-friendly
Very easy to use
WONDER SCRUB Hand Cleaner
Simply put, this is an all in one dirt, grease, and grime remover that has enough power to remove virtually any substance from your hands. The included walnut shell scrubbers provide a coarse scrubbing substance that works to thoroughly remove all sorts of contaminants from skin.
Although it does feature a very powerful formula for ultimate grease cutting power, it is also quite safe, and it doesn’t contain super harsh chemicals that will irritate the skin. WONDER SCRUB Hand Cleaner is supposed to be gentle on the skin. An important note here is that WONDER SCRUB Hand Cleaner is extremely poisonous if swallowed, so be sure to use it safely.
This particular product needs to be applied, rubbed around for a couple of minutes, and can then be simply rinsed away with warm water. WONDER SCRUB Hand Cleaner should not leave a greasy residue, and the odor isn’t too bad either.
Coarse walnut shell scrubbers for added cleaning power
Gentle on the skin
Very easy and quick to use
No greasy residue
Tub O Scrub Heavy Duty Hand Cleaner
Tub O Scrub Heavy Duty Hand Cleaner is made without pumice, petroleum, or solvents, so it should not irritate the skin. Moreover, this is also a bio-degradable formula, meaning that it’s quite eco-friendly.
This particular option is designed specially for mechanics, and it’s made to remove the toughest and thickest layers of dirt, oil, and automotive grease. You may also like how Tub O Scrub Heavy Duty Hand Cleaner features a fresh citrus scent. The jug comes complete with an easy pump applicator for ease of use.
Large quantity
Safe and non-irritating
Bio-degradable
Decent citrus scent
Easy pump applicator
Not ideal for super tough jobs
Grip Clean Auto Mechanic Hand Cleaner
Now, of course, because it is quite small, it won’t last too long, but that said, this is a 2x concentrated formula, so a little bit does go a long way. On a side note, you do also get a nifty fingernail and hand scrubber brush included here.
Grip Clean Auto Mechanic Hand Cleaner is made with bentonite clay, which works wonders at absorbing oil and grease. Moreover, it also comes with a ton of pumice inside of the hand cleaner, thus scrubbing hands of all sorts of oil, dirt, grime, and grease. It’s a heavy duty option, one which should not cause irritation.
This particular product also comes loaded with olive oil and coconut oil in order to help provide your hands with a bit of moisturization and nourishment. It doesn’t contain any solvents or detergents, a big bonus.
Clay and pumice for oil and grease removal
Includes a scrub brush
Very portable
Fairly effective grease and oil removal
Odor free
No greasy residue
Not a very large quantity
Grime Boss Heavy Duty Hand Cleaning Wipes
Simply take a wipe out of the pack, wipe the hands down, and you are good to go. Now, this may not be quite as effective a scrubbing soap, but it is much easier to use. That said, it might take a few wipes to get your hands totally clean.
What’s cool is that these Grime Boss Heavy Duty Hand Cleaning Wipes feature a tough textured side for easy grease and oil removal from the hands, and there’s also a smooth side ideal for wiping grease off your face. These are large and super tough hand wipes that shouldn’t rip or tear.
These wipes are made in the USA. Also, Grime Boss Heavy Duty Hand Cleaning Wipes are made to smell like citrus, plus they contain aloe and Vitamin E to help provide a bit of moisturization and skin protection.
Easy to use
Good for grease and paint
Rough and soft sides
Helps moisturize the skin
No need for water or washing
Conclusion
When all has been said and done, as long as you pay attention to the most important purchasing factors discussed in our buyer’s guide, you should have no problems finding the right product for you.
Make sure to look for something that is strong enough to get the job done, yet gentle enough so that it doesn’t irritate your skin. At the end of the day, as long as the product in question efficiently and effectively removes grease and oil from your skin, you are on the right track.
