Changed the worn front pads and discs yesterday on the Vectra.
Hands were obviously grubby afterwards, so a scrub at the sink with swarfega to clean them, but they were still looking dirty afterwards.
Then I remembered that when I had ingrained dirt before in my hands, they looked a lot cleaner after I had washed my hair.
So out with the shampoo, resulting in cleaner hands than the swarfega had managed to achieve.
I don't think I'll be trying swarfega on my hair though.
Have you used a product for another purpose than what it was originally intended?
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Being a cheapskate I use a tablespoon of granulated sugar on dry dirty hands with a squirt of washing up liquid (or liquid soap or shampoo etc.). Rub vigorously.
I'm currently using Value Tomato Ketchup to clean some brass candlesticks up for SWMBO, much less effort and more effective than Brasso and the like, when left on overnight.
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currently using Value Tomato Ketchup to clean some brass candlesticks up for SWMBO, much
>> less effort and more effective than Brasso and the like, when left on overnight.
Be careful. Strong acids left on brass lead to dezincification and the brass takes on a coppery colour.
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>> currently using Value Tomato Ketchup to clean some brass candlesticks up for SWMBO, much
>> >> less effort and more effective than Brasso and the like, when left on overnight.
>>
>> Be careful. Strong acids left on brass lead to dezincification and the brass takes on
>> a coppery colour.
>>
Thanks for the warning Mm, I'll be living in the shed for sure if I end up with coppery candlesticks.
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>>Have you used a product for another purpose than what it was originally intended? >>
The mind boggles at that one...:-)
I've always found that washing up liquid is as effective as anything specific for cleaning oil, dirt etc off your hands.
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A small amount abrasive works wonders in a hand cleaner, even if it doesn't do a lot for your skin.
At the garage we used to have a bag of sawdust next to the Swarfega.
There was another cleaner which had small plastic granules already mixed in.
We tried loads of others over the years, but always came back to Swarfega.
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Vx, you can get packs of 100 pairs of disposable gloves for a quid or so.
Edd China uses 'em so they must be good. ;-)
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The trouble I find with disposable gloves is that it is always too late to put them on.
Good in theory, but in practice my jobs tend to escalate. So I start by just intending to take a little peep at the problem, not actually touching anything you understand, and then before I know it I am doing a major motor rebuild on the kitchen table wearing my best clothes.
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Instead of swarfega type cleaners, I've used washing powder with good effect before now. But we use Gel/liquid these days so I suppose the sugar in washing liquid might work too.
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>> Vx, you can get packs of 100 pairs of disposable gloves for a quid or so.
I can get them from work if necessary, I can't get on with them though. The job I was doing yesterday, they'd have fallen apart within 5 mins. I'd have spent longer changing the gloves than just getting on with the job.
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Wash the car afterwards using a bucket of hot soapy water and a sponge. Hands will be miraculously clean at the end of the job too ! Not to mention Turtle Waxed for that soft as a ( soft thing ) feeling.
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>> Then I remembered that when I had ingrained dirt before in my hands, they looked
>> a lot cleaner after I had washed my hair.
Yeah, your hair soaked up the dirt
:)
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>> Have you used a product for another purpose than what it was originally intended?
For heaven's sake don't let you-know-who see that...
Erm, Mr Muscle oven cleaner (as mentioned t'other day) takes brake dust off wheels a treat.
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"Have you used a product for another purpose than what it was originally intended?"
Boardroom table. Client sofa. Cigar tube.
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Tesco Value vinegar is great for windows.
Morrisons washing up liquid for cleaning paint brushes.
Gin is great for all ailments: real or imagined..But only works with tonic.
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>> Boardroom table. Client sofa. Cigar tube.
All at the same time??
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Apparently Swarfega was derived from a product originally formulated to extend the life of silk stockings. The name is derived form Swarf, an old term for greasy waste and eager.
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To me, swarf is little metal shavings produced in milling and drilling softer metals such as aluminium.
www.thefreedictionary.com/swarf
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Yes it does now. It once was once also use to describe dirty grease.
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Handcleaner - swarfega vs hair shampoo - spamcan61
