Removing propolis from hands

[rayb]

As I get older, my hands seem to be getting more sensitive to the removing of propolis ( or anything that irritates the skin.. like paint thinner or some cleaners). Alcohol works great but also irritates the skin.

Any great propolis removing products out there that you like?

Thanks, Ray

[Cindi]

Ray, I have used Gojo for removing propolis.  It works pretty well.  I don't know if that is what it is called in the US too, it is the stuff that comes in the orange container, that has some oil stuff mixed with some pumice like stuff that mechanics use in their shops.  I am sure you have heard of it.

I also wonder, have never tried it though, if something like butter or margarine or oil may work well too?  Others will chime in, you will get some great responses, I no doubt.....have a wonderful and beautiful day, love our lives.  Cindi

[bassman1977]

I don't know if that is what it is called in the US too, it is the stuff that comes in the orange container, that has some oil stuff mixed with some pumice like stuff that mechanics use in their shops.  I am sure you have heard of it.

Liquid Orange.   The stuff is great and smells fantastic.

Any great propolis removing products out there that you like?

Because I wear gloves, I don't get too much on me, but if I do, soap and water takes care of it.  If it's too bad...Liquid Orange.  I clean my tools with hot water and soap.

[Joseph Clemens]

I use warm water and liquid hand soap. That and a little rubbing with my short fingernails and it all comes off in a few minutes. I get lots of it on my finger tips, because I always work the bees barehanded -- if I think I have too much for liquid soap and water, I use any of the many hand cleaners sold for mechanics to clean grease from their hands.

[Scadsobees]

Nail polish remover also works well and smells slightly better than mineral spirits.

[rayb]

Thankyou all for the suggestions. At my age any more wrinkles and rough skin are not needed. I may not get baby soft again, but will settle for maybe fifty soft. Ray

[deejaycee]

baby oil - or vegetable oil for that matter.  I have dermatitis, so I know what you mean about not wanting to irritate your skin.

I use either baby oil or cooking oil and massage it well into my hands.. kind of emulsifying the propolis.   Then a mild soap or soap alternative can take it off fairly easily.

The other thing is to put on plenty of moisturiser - something very neutral like a silicone barrier cream before I go out to the hives.  Kind of fills up the pores of my skin so it doesn't suck in the propolis so readily.

[Michael Bush]

Try FGMO (mineral oil laxitive, aka Food Grade Mineral Oil).

[buzzbee]

Maybe rubbing a little fgmo on hands before starting will help keep the propolis from sticking so bad.

[Cindi]

Ken, ooops, don't do that, ever picture how slippery a frame might be when there is mineral oil on the hands, hee, hee, now that would be great for a funniest home video, hee, hee, have a beautiful and wonderfully great day, Cindi

[rayb]

Thanks for the ideas. Will try them the next warm day that I get into the hives. Those warm day are coming more and more often!!!!

Ray