Hand cleaners for mechanics


8 Best Hand Cleaners for Mechanics – Tough Soap for the Toughest Jobs

EDITOR’S PICK

Permatex Fast Orange Xtreme Professional Grade Hand Cleaner

  • 128oz capacity
  • MicroGel technology for even pumice distribution
  • Scent options: Ultra Cherry, Fresh Scent, Original Orange

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PREMIUM PICK

3M Paint Buster Hand Cleaner

  • 9.75oz paste hand cleaner
  • Contains bentonite clay, lanolin, quartz, and stearic acid

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BUDGET PICK

Gojo Natural Orange Pumice Hand Cleaner

  • Available in 14oz or 128oz (1 gal.)
  • Contains pumice scrubbing particles
  • Citrus scent

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Unlike most professions, mechanics are not afraid to get their hands dirty (literally). And there’s no way around it; engines and car parts are dirty, oily, and greasy, and all of those can be pretty tricky to wash off with your regular dish soap or body wash.

Luckily, soap manufacturers recognized this problem long ago and created purpose-specific heavy-duty hand cleaners dedicated to mechanics and DIY’ers. These are soaps, lotions, or towels formulated to fight off mulish stains off the skin while leaving them soft and moisturized (hey, this is the 21st century; no need to act all tough here. Mechanics are allowed to have soft hands too these days).

8 Best Hand Cleaners for Mechanics ...

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8 Best Hand Cleaners for Mechanics — Tough Soap for the Toughest Jobs

Still, a quick look online will bring up a sea of mechanic hand cleaning products, all claiming to be the next best thing since the invention of fuel injection. So just in case you need a couple of pointers here and there and wondering which one actually works and which one is just a waste of money, we’ve gathered and reviewed 8 of the best heavy-duty hand cleaners you can buy today, along with a complete buying guide.

Oh and also worth mentioning, we are proud to report that all of these products are proudly made in the USA!

Anyway, so without further ado, let’s see what we got!

Table of Contents

Best Mechanic Hand Cleaner Reviews

1. Gojo Natural Orange Pumice Hand Cleaner – Budget Pick

I’m kicking off this review with what is probably the most famous heavy-duty hand cleaners among the mechanic community, the Gojo Natural Orange. As a cleaning agent, it’s one of the most affordable and effective ones out there, able to obliterate dirt quickly. The classic Gojo smell is also worth mentioning and may or may not be a good thing depending on where you stand on the matter — some like it, some don’t. However, any mechanic who worked in a shop in the last 40 years would recognize it right away.

Not only there for the scent, though, the citrus part of the formula is also there to help remove stubborn oil and grease stains off your skin. Moreover, Gojo added pumice to the mix for a spotless result, helping to scrub the dirt away. It’s also nice to know that it’s completely safe as it doesn’t contain any harsh solvents or petroleum substances in its ingredients. Quite the opposite, it even moisturizes your skin and protects it from irritation.

You can get the Gojo Natural Orange in either 14oz or 128oz (1 gallon) format. Of course, you can get the smaller one if you want a more portable unit or give it a try for the first time. But whichever you get, they’re cheaper than most lotion-based hand cleaners on the market. Hence, they are perfect for those who seek a budget-friendly mechanic hand cleaner that’ll perform exceptionally well.

Key Features
  • Available in 14oz or 128oz (1 gal.)
  • Contains pumice scrubbing particles
  • Citrus scent
Pros
  • No harsh solvents
  • Moisturizes your hands
  • Cheaper than its competitors
Cons
  • May take multiple washes to remove heavy grease

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2. Grip Clean Heavy Duty Hand Soap

The Grip Clean Heavy Duty Hand Soap is another excellent lotion-based hand cleaner aimed at those with more sensitive skin. The coconut oil moisturizing and nourishing your skin is really appreciated.

It’s made of bentonite clay, which is incredibly efficient at absorbing oil, grease, and ink off your hand and includes gritty textured pumice for a fast clean, even under the fingernails. It also throws lime oil into the mix, giving it an extra oil cutting power and quite a pleasant scent.

As for the format, Grip Clean offers its soap in two variants — 8oz or 64oz. The 64oz jug is quite heavy and comes with a built-in pump, making it more suitable to stay at the shop but if you need something a little more portable, the 8oz tube is still good for about 30 washes on the go.

However, I’m not a fan of the container material, which feels like a grease magnet when holding it with oily hands. Yet, it’s still the most portable packaging on this list for a lotion-based hand cleaner — and you can always get the bigger one anyway, which is still somewhat portable since it has a carrying handle (it only takes a little more space in the truck).

Nonetheless, it’s a strong candidate for an all-natural and skin-friendly mechanic hand cleaner without compromising on power and efficiency.

Key Features
  • Available in 8oz or 64oz
  • Condensed bentonite clay with pumice
  • Contains coconut and lime oil
  • Lime scent
Pros
  • Fast grease removal
  • Moisturizes your hands
  • 8oz container is very portable
Cons
  • 8oz container can be challenging to holg firmly with dirty hands

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3. Permatex Fast Orange Xtreme Professional Grade Hand Cleaner – Editor’s Pick

Permatex is one of the best lotion-based hand degreaser brands on the market, and its Fast Orange Xtreme series is its most potent offering yet. Interestingly, there are even scent options here, including Original Orange, Fresh Scent, and Ultra Cherry. I personally fancy the cherry one, which is a nice change from the more common citrus smell found in pretty much every other hand cleaners out there.

While sent options are a neat addition, the main formula won’t disappoint either, including several heavy-duty cleansing and moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, lanolin, and aloe vera. Not only will the Xtreme Series effectively cut the grease off your hands, but it will also leave your hands smooth, thanks to the excellent moisturizing power. Moreover, Permatex’s MicroGel technology evenly distributes pumice to every part of your hand, really helping with all those dirty creases.

However, it’s important to mention that Fast Orange Xtreme products are only sold in a 1-gallon format, with a built-in pump and carrying handle. Though it’s a shame they don’t offer a more portable size, you won’t regret the investment. It’s genuinely one of the most effective mechanic hand cleaners you can get for the price.

Key Features
  • 128oz capacity
  • MicroGel technology for even pumice distribution
  • Scent options: Ultra Cherry, Fresh Scent, Original Orange
Pros
  • Various scent options
  • No harsh solvents
  • Moisturizer will leave your hands smooth
Cons
  • Not available in a more portable packaging

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4. Gojo Fast Towels – Best Wet Shop Towels

Some mechanics are more mobile than others, and there might be times when water is not easily accessible. And if you are like me, you also hate those “waterless” soaps leaving your hands all sticky and weird after use. Luckily, Gojo’s Fast Towels are there to save the day!

Unlike the lotion-based cleaners we’ve discussed so far, the Gojo Fast Towels achieve the same result with sand-textured and pre-moistened disposable towels—think of them as multi-purpose baby wipes, but for grown-ups (and for your hands lol). Oh, and I said multi-purpose because you can also use them to clean dirty tools and surfaces too.

But just like regular baby wipes, they are also super gentle on your skin, using a government-regulated VOC-compliant formula, proved safe and non-toxic. It also contains a bit of skin moisturizer to help prevent dryness and irritation, and Gojo’s trademark citrus scent.

The Gojo Fast Towels’ packaging varies according to its sheet count, available in 25, 60, 80, or 130 sheets formats. Whichever you get though, they’re all relatively inexpensive and easy to carry around. However, keep in mind that you’ll have to watch out and make sure that the lid stays shut tight or the towels will dry out (nothing a little duct tape can’t take care of).

Overall, if you want a highly effective hand cleaner that’s easy to use and requires no water, you can trust Gojo’s Fast Towels to work their magic for you.

Key Features
  • Textured pre-moistened disposable towel
  • Available in 25, 60, 80, or 130 sheet count
  • Citrus scent
Pros
  • Can be used for cleaning hands or surfaces
  • Doesn’t require water
  • Moisturizes your hands
Cons
  • The towels can dry out rather quickly when not stored properly

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5. Tub O’ Scrub Heavy Duty Hand Cleaner – Best Biodegradable Option

The Tub O’ Scrub is your best option if you want an eco-friendly mechanic hand cleaner. Notably, it doesn’t contain pumice like most heavy-duty hand soap and instead relies on a biodegradable ingredient, walnut shells to be exact, to kick out that stubborn oil and grease. The innovative formula gives it an advantage over more traditional alternatives like pumice as walnut shells are biodegradable and much safer for the environment, but also your plumbing system (if you don’t have a dedicated washtub in your garage and need to use the kitchen sink instead, this one might be worth the investment).

Moreover, it contains aloe vera, lanolin, and vitamin E so it’ll not only superbly clean and moisturize your hands, but also make your skin super soft.

You can get the Tub O’ Scrub in 18oz, 64oz, or 128oz formats. If you plan to try it for the first time, the smaller 18oz tube is cheap and convenient to carry around. Still, going for the bigger ones will bring a better return on investment.

If you are looking for a waterless hand cleaner and the guilt-free experience of using an all-natural product, this is your answer. And yes, I get the irony of adding a waterless soap right after having said that these usually leave a weird feeling after use, but trust me, this one is like any other out there.

Key Features
  • Available in 18oz, 64oz, or 128oz
  • Biodegradable and lotion-based
  • Contains aloe vera, lanolin, and vitamin E
Pros
  • Plenty of moisturizing ingredients
  • Very eco-friendly
  • Requires no water
  • Doesn’t clog the drain
Cons
  • Takes more effort to scrub off tough greases

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6. WD-40 Lava Bar – Best Heavy Duty Soap Bar

Some mechanics still prefer a good ol’ soap bar for cleaning their dirty hands and that’s totally cool too. But consequently, it’s no surprise to see that WD-40 kept producing its famous Lava Bar for over a century!

Yes, the Lava Bar has been around since 1893, and it’s an incredibly well-known hand soap amongst DIY’ers, cold miners, and oil rig workers. Not only does it last pretty long, but the pumice particles are some of the most powerful ones out there, effortlessly cutting through even the toughest grease and grime.

The compact size allows to keep it beside the sink like any other ordinary bar soap, without taking as much space as the bigger pump-jars out there. Also, similar to other excellent mechanic hand cleaners, it contains moisturizer and leaves a subtle aromatic scent.

But the best thing is that you can get it for pretty cheap nowadays, making it a no-brainer if you want one of the finest and most reputable heavy-duty soap bars available.

Key Features
  • 5.75oz bar soap
  • Contains pumice and moisturizers
  • Subtle perfumed scent
Pros
  • Cheap and long-lasting
  • More effective than some liquid soaps
  • Contains moisturizing agents
  • Available in twin packs
Cons
  • Slippery (just like all soaps, though)

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7. ToolBox Widget Knuckle Scrubber Hand Soap – Best Scrubber Soap

Somewhat contradictory to the Lava Bar, the Knuckle Scrubber hand soap is relatively new to the game. Still, it instantly amazed me with its unique design combining a scrubber block and a soap bar into one compact unit. Both components work together for a more efficient stains removal and reach even under your fingernails.

The funky design is not just a gimmick, though, as it’s complemented by high-quality ingredients such as sodium laurate, sucrose, and titanium dioxide, giving it extra cleansing power. Moreover, it moisturizes your hand with aloe vera, and the apple scent is pleasant and fresh. However, keep in mind the stiff scrubbers could hurt your skin if you’re not careful.

This heavy-duty scrubber soap weighs in at just 5.5oz, and the price is surprisingly pocket-friendly. If you want something that seems a little more from the 21st century than the 100 years old Lava Bar above, this might very well be what you need!

Key Features
  • 5. 5oz soap bar
  • Built-in scrubber
  • Apple scent
Pros
  • Affordable
  • Very compact
  • Comes with moisturizer
  • Super easy to use
  • Effective dirt removal
Cons
  • The scrubber is a bit harsh on the skin (but sometimes, going soft just won’t cut it)

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8. 3M Paint Buster Hand Cleaner – Premium Pick

When all else fails, give the 3M Paint Buster a go!

As the name suggests, the Paint Buster hand cleaner is made to remove stubborn automotive paint, fillers, and sealants from your skin. However, the purpose-built design might be a bit overkill for day-to-day dirt like engine oil and bearing grease. So it might not be for daily use, but when you’ll need it, you’ll be happy you have it.

Unfortunately, despite having a pleasant subtle smell, it doesn’t contain any moisturizing ingredients, so you might want to purchase an additional hand creme here. Nonetheless, it does have some quartz particles to make sure it reaches even the tiniest creases.

As for the price, there’s no denying it, it’s quite pricey for the size. On the other hand, don’t let the rather small tube fool you, you really need only a small bit at a time. Regardless, if what you need is a stronger than most but still safe cleaner that can get rid of any unwanted substances from your hand, this is the one.

Key Features
  • 9.75oz paste hand cleaner
  • Contains bentonite clay, lanolin, quartz, and stearic acid
Pros
  • Highly portable
  • Fast dirt removal
  • Suitable to remove paint, body filler, adhesives, and sealants
  • Works really really well
Cons
  • On the pricier side
  • No moisturizer ingredient

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9.

Dishwashing Soap and Sugar — Poor Man’s Option

If you are like me, you’ll probably always forget to put that darn mechanics-oriented hand cleaner on your list and will eventually run out — and you’ll only realize that once you are dirty and greased up to the elbows. When it happens, you can always use the dishwashing soap and sugar method (my grandfather showed me this one when I was a kid, explaining that “this is all they had in his days” and so on.

It’s a tried and true method and will do just fine when you don’t have anything better to use. Simply pour some dishwashing soap in the palm of your hand and add some sugar — probably about a teaspoon of it. As a result, you’ll get a redneck version of a regular mechanic’s hand cleaner, with the dishwashing soap acting as an anti-grease agent and soap as pumice. Don’t pour water on your hands just now, and instead, rub your hands together well first. The soap and sugar will form a paste, really effective to scrub out grease and dirt.

Of course, going for an antibacterial soap containing some kind of moisturizing ingredient is your best bet here, as it will replicate the effect of more expensive purpose-built soaps. But honestly, at this point, any liquid soap would do.

However, it’s important to mention that since sugar will eventually dissolve in water, you might need to repeat the process a couple of times but trust me; it actually works quite well!


Buying Guide: What to Consider When Buying Mechanic Hand Cleaners

Grease and Oil Cutting Power

Of course, the idea behind heavy-duty hand cleaners is for their excellent grease and oil cutting power. To choose one that does the job effectively, start by looking carefully at the ingredients. For instance, citrus is ideal, as citric acid is an excellent substance for cutting through sticky lubes. Not to mention it smells quite nice too.

Furthermore, you’ll most likely prefer something with pumice or scrubbers if you’ll be dealing with tough grease. Their sandy or coarse texture can make all the difference due to their ability to scrub out oils and greases.

Safe and Healthy Ingredients

No matter how effective a hand cleaner is, it’s rather pointless if the ingredients harm your skin. Mechanics wash their hands a thousand times a week, especially if they don’t wear gloves. Always seek a safe formula. Preferably one that is nature-friendly, biodegradable, and non-toxic, so they don’t leave your skin too dry after repeated use.

That said, you want to avoid any hand cleaners containing solvent or petroleum. Although they quickly detach oil from your skin, they will cause your hands to dry out and crack, doing more harm than good in the long run. In worse cases, they might even cause skin irritation or diseases like dermatitis. Once again, this is 2021 so let’s be smart here stop rubbing petroleum on our skin more than necessary. If you are like me, you are already covered in some petrol-based substance more often than not so maybe leave your soap out of it—you deserve it too.

Thankfully, all of the hand cleaner products featured above are free from any of those harmful chemicals, so nothing to worry about here.

Moisturization

While the worst kind of hand cleaners leave your hands dry like the desert, the best ones will keep them hydrated. Moisturizers are essential to keep your skin protected against irritation or other skin problems. Thus, make sure the hand cleaners you’re getting contain some moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil, olive oil, vitamin E, or aloe vera.

If your hand cleaning product doesn’t come with moisturizer, you’ll need to get a separate one that you’ll use right after the wash. But then it’s much easier to have an all-in-one product from the start, no?

If you work in a cold climate, using a moisturizing soap will also help reduce those nasty cracks—you’ll thank me later.

Portability

If you’re a mechanic who works at the same shop every day, portability shouldn’t really be a concern for you. Get a gallon of a heavy-duty hand cleaner, stick it near the washtub, or sink for the lucky ones, and then you’re all set.

However, mobile mechanics, detailing technicians, and security system specialists going from dealer-to-dealer might prefer a smaller packaging (ideally less than 20oz) that’s easier to carry around. Thankfully, most mechanic hand cleaners are offered in multiple formats to suit everyone’s needs.

Also, if you’re a mobile mechanic, there are chances you might not have access to water (or think that asking a customer to use their kitchen sink and dirty it all up with your filthy paws might be pushing it a little), look for waterless hand cleaners instead, such as the multifunction Gojo Fast Towels or the biodegradable Tub O’ Scrub discussed above.

Keep in mind that mechanic hand cleaners are not an everyday household necessity, and you may need to bring your own just in case the place you’re visiting isn’t providing them.

Scent

Although it’s not the most important thing to consider, the subtle smell of a hand cleaner does add to the clean feel. It helps eliminate the unpleasant oil and grease smell, making you feel more comfortable or confident when interacting with other people (not smelling like crap after a full engine job in the middle of summer when having to meet the client in the office after is already challenging enough, scented hand soap surely won’t hurt lol).

Nowadays, most heavy-duty hand cleaners are fruit-scented from the get-go. Orange citrus is by far the most common, but there are also other fragrances.

You be the judge here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can water remove oil and grease?

No, it can’t. Without anything else, water only glides over oil and grease without removing anything. Thus, all heavy-duty hand cleaners are made with specific ingredients to fight off those substances effectively.

How to remove oil and grease from under fingernails?

The oils and greases below the fingernails might be the hardest to remove. As the gap is tiny, sometimes running your hands with a heavy-duty cleaner alone still won’t cut it. So, in this case, get a scrub brush to assist the hand cleaner in reaching the dirt under your nails and cleaning them off.

Verdict

Mechanic hand cleaners are offered in many forms, but all of them should do at least one thing well: clean your hands from that unwanted dirt. Remember that you’ll want something strong and effective but also gentle on your skin, all at once. On top of that, a pleasant fragrance is definitely a plus.

Having said that, if you really want my two cents, Gojo’s Natural Orange carries a great deal to those who seek the best value for money. It’s one of the most effective and affordable heavy-duty hand lotions out there, and I hardly know any mechanics who aren’t familiar with this product. You just can’t go wrong with this one.

Meanwhile, if you want something a bit more powerful and don’t mind spending a little more, the Permatex Fast Orange Xtreme gets rid of your stains even faster by adding slightly stronger ingredients and a bit more pumice into the mix.

When all else fails, the most hardcore heavy-duty hand cleaners you can get is the 3M Paint Buster paste, period. It will clean out the toughest stuff, including car paint and body filler in a jiffy, and all that while leaving your hands fresh, clean, and smelling nice in the process.

Best Hand Cleaner for Mechanics

Getting dirty hands is an unavoidable part of working on cars. As gratifying as it may be, it’s not safe for your hands. The chemicals present in these impurities can damage your skin in the long run.

You probably know that grease is as stubborn as a mule — it won’t come off easily unless you use a proper hand cleaner. Regular soap and cleaning agents just won’t cut it.

Sure, using an engine degreaser will do the job, but it will damage your skin. You need something that can keep your hands safe and still do a decent job of removing tough stains.

Hand cleaners designed for automotive use have scrubbing and degreasing agents that are suitable for all skin types.

The importance of using the right cleaning products becomes even more evident when you consider how frequently you need to clean your hands when working on cars.

Purpose-specific hand cleaners will not only clean but also nourish your skin. These come in various types such as all-natural, waterless solvents, and paste.

In this guide, we’ll list and review some of the best hand cleaners for auto mechanics. We’ll also touch on everything that you need to consider before choosing the right one for you. Let’s dive right in.

Gloves or No Gloves?

Prevention is better than cure — this is probably the first thing that comes to mind when discussing the topic of hand cleaners for mechanics.

We’ve heard many people say stuff like “real mechanics don’t wear gloves” and this couldn’t be further from the truth.

That said, it’s understandable why some people dislike wearing gloves. Reasons include:

  • Compromised dexterity — it gets very tricky to grip small items such as bolts and wires with precision.
  • Sweaty palms, and
  • General giscomfort due to prolonged use.

However, using gloves has far-reaching benefits. Working on cars involves coming in contact with all sorts of nasty chemicals present in grease, degreasers, coolant, engine oil, brake fluid, and more.

As mentioned before, these things can cause a significant amount of damage to your hands in the long run. Wearing gloves mitigates that issue to some extent but not entirely.

No matter what type of gloves you have lying around in your garage, getting your hands dirty when working on cars is inevitable.

We recommend combining the use of gloves and hand cleaners to keep your hands as safe and hygienic as you possibly can.

Factors to Consider Before Buying Mechanics Hand Cleaner

Choosing the right cleaning products is mostly based on personal preferences. But when it comes to sensitive applications such as removing tough grease from your hands, you need to take safety precautions into account.

Considering how frequently you’ll be using hand cleaners, it’s advisable that you make an informed decision before choosing the right one for you.

Below we’ve listed some factors to consider when buying products like industrial hand cleaner or hand degreaser.

Ingredients

The ingredients used in hand cleaners are an indicator of their strength and efficiency. All cleaning products have chemical ingredients such as cycloalkane, tocopheryl acetate, aminomethyl propanol, and carbomer.

To balance out the dryness caused by these chemicals, you need to opt for hand cleaners that have natural ingredients such as aloe vera, lanolin, vitamin E, walnut extracts, and Jojoba oil.

These compounds not only clean your hands but help to stop them from drying out and cracking, so you can do it all again tomorrow.

Skin Compatibility

If you have sensitive skin, some of the hand cleaners on the market might irritate your skin despite being marketed as natural and safe.

It is always advisable to go through the list of ingredients and choose a product that doesn’t contain anything that you might be allergic to.

Scent

This is probably the least important factor in deciding which hand cleaner you should buy, but it’s definitely worth mentioning.

For instance, if you find the smell of oranges appalling for some reason, then it makes sense to not choose an orange-scented hand cleaner.

Pine and citrus are the most commonly used scents in hand cleaners. You do have some products that have a neutral smell, that is, they don’t smell like anything instantly recognizable.

Scrubbing Potential

Regardless of the form factor, hand cleaners are of two main types –– those that contain scrubbing particles and those that don’t.

Those which contain scrubbing particles feel gritty during use and have exfoliating properties that can help to smooth any calluses or rough skin on your hand and do an excellent job at getting rid of grease.

Hand cleaners that do not contain any scrubbing particles work almost as well and feel soft to the touch.

There are two main ingredients used to make scrubbing particles:

  1. pumice, and
  2. walnut shells.

Pumice powder is a commonly used abrasive that has applications in the world of cosmetics, electronics, and dentistry. Compared to ground walnut shells, pumice is a lot grittier and might cause dryness.

Ground walnut shells, on the other hand, are softer in comparison but still contain exfoliating properties.

Application

The cleaning products industry seems to have a different, dedicated product for pretty much everything.

Shampoo for your hair, face wash for your face, hand wash, tile cleaner, sink cleaner, hand cleaner for grease removal, detergent for your clothes, you get the point.

It’s understandable why this might come across as an attempt to get you to buy more things, but we can’t deny that the product separation exists for a reason.

Each application requires something different. For example, drain cleaners that contain alkaline chemicals (those that give off heat and remove blockages) cannot possibly be used to wash tough stains off your hands. This is just one of many examples.

The point is to make sure you buy purpose-specific products. Sure, there are some products that can be used for other applications than what it is advertised for.

Hand cleaners made specifically to rid your hands of grease can also double up as a general cleaner for use around your house and your kitchen.

Portability

Hand cleaners are typically sold in large quantities, which is great if you prefer buying in bulk.

However, if you only require a small batch for one-time use, or if you’d like to carry some with you to a different location other than your garage, then it makes sense to buy your hand cleaner in different sizes.

You can either buy mid-sized jugs or small tubes that are extremely easy to carry around.

Form Factor and Consistency

Mechanics hand cleaners can be purchased in various form factors. Even though each of them do pretty much the same thing, the usage experience is vastly different.

Some of the different types include:

  • Powders
  • Creams
  • Lotion
  • Wipes
  • Clay, and
  • Pastes.

DIY Hand Cleaner: Dishwasher Soap and Sugar

A commonly used homemade alternative for packaged hand cleaners is the good old combination of dishwashing soap and granulated sugar. In case you run out of hand cleaner, this age-old combination does the job perfectly well.

The sugar crystals double up as scrubbing particles and the dishwasher soap helps get rid of the grease. It sure lacks moisturizing abilities and can be harsh on sensitive skin.

Best Hand Cleaners for Auto Mechanics

Quite honestly, all hand cleaners do pretty much the same thing. The differentiating factors are preference-based. For example, some mechanics might not want any pumice in their hand cleaners while others might.

Some might prefer a lotion, while others might want to use cleaning wipes that don’t require any water whatsoever.

Below we’ve listed some of the best automotive hand cleaners on the market. To make things easier for you, we’ve categorized the products according to their ingredients and unique features such as being waterless, environmentally friendly.

Gojo Natural Orange Pumice

Scent: Orange Citrus
Item Form: Lotion
Quantity: 1 gallon
Buy On: Amazon

Gojo is a popular name in the cleaning products business. Their natural orange pumice hand cleaner is a budget-friendly and highly effective option. Gojo’s distinctive orange citrus aroma might not be to everyone’s taste, but it’s soothing for sure.

This hand cleaner can be purchased in either 14-ounce or 1-gallon sizes. Bulk is the best value.

The special grease-cutting formula will gently remove stubborn grease in a matter of seconds — it includes fine granular scrubbing particles that thoroughly clean and help with exfoliation.

There are no harmful chemicals or petroleum-based compounds present in this product. It comes packed with moisturizing agents to protect your skin from irritation. The only downside is that the pumice particles can dry out your hands when overused.

Wonder Scrub

Scent: Cherry
Item Form: Lotion
Quantity: 1 gallon
Buy On: Amazon

The Wonder Scrub hand cleaner has a very strong degreasing formula. This opens up more use cases outside of the garage — pretty much any application that requires a non-toxic, but strong cleaning solution.

It also works seamlessly against soil, asphalt, ink, carbon, resins, and adhesives. It comes infused with walnut shell scrubbers which are relatively easy on the skin as compared to pumice.

The Wonder Scrub Hand Cleaner is industrial grade and comes in either a 13.5-ounce or 1-gallon package. Despite containing a fair amount of chemicals, it’s easy on the skin and has a very likable faint cherry scent.

Extreme Green Power

Scent: Citrus (Lime)
Item Form: Powder (solvent)
Quantity: 64 ounces
Buy On: Amazon

This is the only solvent-based hand scrub in this entire list, and to say that it works well is an understatement. It uses the age-old combination of detergent and pumice to form an effective base. It contains 3 scrubbing agents in total.

Extreme Green Power also contains a bunch of non-greasy skin moisturizing agents. This compensates for the dryness that comes along with scrubbing. It has a pH of 7 which keeps cuts and bruises (if any) from infection. and has a pleasing lemon scent.

3M Paint Buster

Scent: Subtle neutral smell
Item Form: Paste
Quantity: 9. 75 ounces
Buy On: Amazon

For mechanics who want the absolute best in cleaning products, this is the one to get. The Paint Buster by 3M is easily one of the highest recommended hand cleaning products you’ll come across.

The tube contains 9.75-ounce. It is a purpose-built cleaner that’s strong enough to deal with stubborn automotive paint, fillers, and sealants.

Paint buster doesn’t contain any moisturizing agents but it does have fine quartz particles for scrubbing. The main active ingredients include bentonite clay, lanolin, and stearic acid.

Grip Clean Heavy Duty

Scent: Lime
Item Form: Clay
Quantity: 8 ounces
Buy On: Amazon

This is a lotion-based hand cleaner made from bentonite clay which is highly effective at absorbing oils. Bentonite clay is complemented with coconut oil, lime oil, and grainy pumice particles.

Coconut oil helps in moisturizing the skin, lime oil for added degreasing power, and pumice for scrubbing. The thick gooey clay provides a quick and effective clean with great ease.

This heavy-duty hand cleaner comes in 2 sizes: an 8-ounce squeeze tube and a big bulky 64-ounce tumbler with a built-in pump. Lastly, it has a distinct but mild lime scent which we find extremely refreshing.

Concentrated Magic Industrial

Scent: Citrus
Item Form: Liquid
Quantity: 13.5 ounces
Buy On: Amazon

Yet another all-natural, non-solvent product that works on all kinds of stubborn stains. Grease, oil, grime, and even paint can easily be washed off with this walnut-based eco-friendly hand cleaner.

The most unique feature of this hand cleaner is that it contains ground-up walnut shells. These are the perfect alternative to pumice, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Walnut-based scrubbers are easy on the hands and don’t cause any dryness. Although, we do recommend pairing the mechanic soap with a soft bristle brush for the best results.

Goop

Scent: Pine
Item Form: Cream
Quantity: 15 ounces
Buy On: Amazon

Goop hand cleaner has been around since 1949 and is still very much relevant in the automotive cleaning products business. Apart from being made using biodegradable ingredients, this hand cleaner is also waterless.

This means you don’t need to wet your hands before using it — simply work the hand cleaner into your hands for a solid 2 minutes and then rinse off under running water.

Stubborn grease, dirt, paint, dirt, sap, mud, and any type of stain can easily be removed using this stain lifter.

The use of non-toxic ingredients and moisturizing features makes it suitable for sensitive skin. It comes in a 15-ounce casing and has a soothing pine scent. The only downside here is that it’s frequently out of stock.

Tub O’ Scrub

Scent: Citrus
Item Form: Cream
Quantity: 18 ounces
Buy On: Amazon

This waterless hand cleaner comes loaded with aloe vera, lanolin, and Vitamin E which gives it moisturizing properties. It also uses ground walnut shells as a scrubbing agent.

The Tub O’ Scrub heavy-duty hand cleaner comes in 18, 64, and 128-ounce tubes. The only drawback we’ve noticed with using natural hand cleaners is that it takes longer to get rid of stubborn grease. That said, they’re the safest solution.

Permatex Fast Orange

Scent: Citrus
Item Form: Lotion
Quantity: 15 ounces
Buy On: Amazon

This waterless and solvent-free hand cleaner leverages the cleaning properties of citrus and pumice which work really well together. It is also ammonia-free which helps to avoid rashes and skin irritation.

It is biodegradable and eco-friendly, and can also be used for non-automotive cleaning applications as well. A rich combination of aloe vera, lanolin, and glycerin means it can double up as a moisturizer.

Like every other natural hand cleaner, the Permatex Fast Orange Smooth lotion needs a bit of wrestling to remove stubborn grime and grease. It comes in a compact 15-ounce bottle for ease of usage.

Grip Clean Heavy Duty Wipes

Scent: Citrus
Item Form: Wipes
Quantity: 30 pieces
Buy On: Amazon

If you dislike the idea of using cream-based soaps, then a pack of Grip Clean heavy-duty wipes is the perfect hand cleaning solution for you.

These wipes are made with a special combination that works on grease, oil, adhesives, ink, tar, and even paint. They’re easy-to-use, waterless, and have a citrus scent.

What we really like about cleaning wipes is that you don’t require running water or a sink, which makes the package extremely portable. This is ideal if you ever need to fix your car on the go.

Automotive Hand Cleaners: Ideal Choices

The importance of safety and hygiene gear like work gloves, work boots, safety goggles, face masks, and hand cleaners is often understated in the world of automotive repair.

Remember that there’s nothing wrong with keeping yourself safe when working on cars. There’s no such thing as “too much safety”. Even if it means that your hands end up smelling like strawberries at the end of your workday.

What type of cleaner to use really depends on your personal preferences. We recommend trying as many as you can before you zero in on the best option for you. Once you’ve found what fits your needs, stock up by buying in bulk.

Below we’ve listed our top recommendations.

Heavy Duty Scrub: Gojo Natural Orange Pumice

Consistent performance and pocket-friendly pricing make the Gojo Orange Pumice cleaner an all-rounder. We really like how it strikes the perfect balance between being tough on stains and still leaving your hands soft and free of calluses.

Natural Hand Cleaner: Grip Clean Heavy Duty

The Grip Clean Heavy Duty hand cleanser is enriched with natural minerals and oils for a safe and healthy experience. The bentonite clay gives it a gooey consistency which makes it super-easy to work with.

Waterless Option: Permatex Fast Orange

Permatex offers a complete waterless experience without compromising much on strength. Its pocket-friendly pricing is what puts it ahead of the rest.

Also being ammonia-free makes it compatible with a wide range of skin types and comes in a 15-ounce bottle.

Getting set up for work? Don’t forget to grab yourself some auto mechanic work boots. And if you’re only just starting your career, learn more about the average auto mechanic’s salary here.

What’s your favorite hand cleaner? Would you rather just wear gloves and not have to bother with dirty hands? Let us know in the comments below!

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