Leaving polyurethane on your skin for a long period may cause some skin irritations. You would likely get some on your hands when you use it for your project. Removing it from your skin can be challenging because a soap and water combination may not do the trick.
Most woodworkers dealing with polyurethane use mineral spirits or alternative solvents. You must follow the appropriate removal process because mineral spirits can potentially add more damage to your skin. You may also need other things, including soap, water, and hand moisturizer.
Using paint thinners and acetone should be the last on your list of options. These solvents are way too harsh on your skin and have many disadvantages. Stick around because I will discuss different methods and steps to clean your hands from polyurethane.
Is Polyurethane Easy to Remove From the Skin?
The difficulty level of removing polyurethane from your hands depends on its type. Soap and water combination or other home remedies could be enough for removing water-based polyurethane from your skin.
On the other hand, oil-based polyurethane requires other chemicals or solvents to loosen its contact with your skin. These substances include mineral spirits, lacquer thinners, acetone, and other petroleum-based solutions.
A polyurethane that dries on your hands can be even harder to remove from your hands. You must not let polyurethane dry up on your skin as much as possible. Remove it as soon as you are done working on your project.
Best Ways to Get Polyurethane Off Hands
There are many things you can try to get polyurethane off your hands. The methods you can use depend on the type of polyurethane you are dealing with.
Getting Water-Based Polyurethane Off Hands
Generally, water-based polyurethane is less toxic than oil-based. However, it may still cause some skin issues when you get it on your hands or skin.
Because the main solvent is water, removing the polyurethane from your hands is much easier. You can try washing it off with dish soap and water.
Here are the things you need:
- Dishwashing soap or any soap
- Warm water
- A piece of cloth
- Moisturizing lotion
Step 1: Soak your hands in warm water
Warm water helps loosen polyurethane’s bond with your skin. Soaking your hand in warm water will ease up the removal process. Of course, ensure that the warmth level of the water does not damage your skin.
While your hands are in the water, you can rub them to help loosen the polyurethane. You can do this for 3 to 5 minutes or until you see that the paint’s bond with your skin has weakened.
Step 2: Create a soap and water solution
Pour your dish soap into a basin and add a small amount of water. Lather the solution and use any cloth to rub off the polyurethane. You can also use your nails to remove the polyurethane from your skin.
Step 3: Wash your hands with warm water
After removing the polyurethane from your hands, do a final hand washing using warm water. Doing this will dissolve any remaining chemicals or paint residue from your skin.
Step 4: Dry your hands
Dry out your hands. Check if all of the polyurethane has been removed. Otherwise, you may need to repeat the previous steps.
Step 5: Moisturize your hands
Moisturize your hands with your moisturizing lotion or any other moisturizer. The moisturizer helps in preventing skin dryness and any other irritations.
Getting Oil-Based Polyurethane Off Hands
The oil-based variant of polyurethane is more challenging to remove. The water and soap method is less likely to work. However, some solvents may help loosen and remove polyurethane from your skin.
1. Using Mineral Spirits (or other petroleum-based solvents)
Mineral spirits are what most woodworkers use because, arguably, it softens polyurethane faster than other solvents. However, there are other alternatives if this option is not available.
You can use any other petroleum-based solvents, such as paint thinners and acetone. You can also use denatured alcohol to minimize your skin’s exposure to harmful chemicals.
Here are the things you need:
- Mineral spirits
- Paint thinner or acetone (in the absence of mineral spirits)
- Soap
- Warm water
- Cloth
- Moisturizing lotion
Step 1: Rub mineral spirits on your hands
Do not use mineral spirits like water. Rinsing your hands with mineral spirits may cause more damage.
The proper way to use it is to wet your cloth and rub it on your hands. Focus your rubbing on the affected areas. Do this until the polyurethane detaches from your skin.
Step 2: Rinse your hands with soap and warm water
When you have completely got rid of polyurethane, rinse your hand with hot water and soap. This step ensures that all the remaining polyurethane particles are removed from your skin.
If you still see polyurethane residues, feel free to do the first two steps again.
Step 3: Dry your hands
Use any cloth to dry your hands. You can also use hand dryers if available. When your hands are dry, do a final check for any polyurethane that remains on your hands.
Step 4: Apply moisturizer
Moisturize your hands with a hand moisturizer, lotion, or whatever moisturizing cream you’ve got. This final step helps provide protection or eliminate chances of irritation and skin dryness.
2. Using Denatured Alcohol
Denatured alcohol is another option you can try when removing polyurethane from your hands. This product is slightly safer to use compared to acetone or paint thinners.
Here are the things you need:
- Denatured alcohol
- Cotton balls
- Cloth
- Soap
- Warm water
- Moisturizing lotion
Step 1: Soak your hands in warm water
Weaken the polyurethane’s bond with your skin by soaking your hands in warm water. This step may be optional. You may not need to do this if you see that the polyurethane’s contact with your skin is mild.
However, doing it may speed up your cleaning process. Thus, if you have ample time to spend, do warm water hand soaking.
Step 2: Rub affected areas
Wet your cotton balls with denatured alcohol and start rubbing them on the affected areas of your hands. Alternatively, you can wet any cloth and rub it on the affected areas until you loosen the polyurethane.
Step 3: Wash your hands with soap and water
You can now wash your hands with regular soap and water. However, using a dishwasher may provide you with a better result. You can use either a tap or warm water for this step.
After washing, check if there is still any polyurethane on your skin. Do the above steps again if necessary.
Step 4: Dry and moisturize your hands
Dry your hands to prepare for the next step. When your hands dry completely, apply some moisturizer.
Home Remedies to Get Polyurethane Off Hands
You can try to use a few products to get polyurethane off your skin. These include white vinegar, peanut butter, and baby oil.
1. White Vinegar
If you do not have any other alternatives, find white vinegar in the kitchen and use it. Vinegar has many uses, and this is one of them.
Here are the things you need:
- White vinegar
- A bowl or a basin
- Water
- Dish soap
- Cloth
- Moisturizer
Step 1: Pour the vinegar into a bowl
Transfer the vinegar into a bowl or basin, or any container that allows you to soak your hands. You might need enough vinegar to use this method.
Step 2: Soak your hands
Soak your hands in the white vinegar for 5 to 10 minutes or until you see that the polyurethane’s contact with your skin has loosened.
Step 3: Remove the polyurethane
Using a cloth or your nails, remove every bit of the polyurethane. Check all areas of your hands to ensure that you do not leave anything on your skin.
Step 4: Wash your hands with water
Wash your hands thoroughly using dish soap (or any soap available). This step ensures that all particles of polyurethane are removed.
Step 5: Dry and moisturize
Dry your hands with a drying towel and apply some moisturizer. You can use any moisturizer available.
2. Peanut Butter
That jar of peanut butter on your table could save your day. It has been known that peanut butter helps strip polyurethane off your skin.
Here are the things you need:
- A jar of peanut butter
- Dishwashing solution
- Water
- Cloth
- Moisturizing lotion
Step 1: Cover your hands with peanut butter
Open your jar of peanut butter and cover it all over your hands. Allow it to soak your hands for a few minutes.
Step 2: Wash and rinse
Wash the peanut butter dish soap and water. Regular tap water will do, but warm water may provide a better result.
Step 3: Check your hands
Inspect the polyurethane-affected areas of your hands and see if you need to repeat the process.
Step 4: Moisturize
Spread a good amount of moisturizer all over your hands to keep them smooth and relaxed.
3. Baby Oil
Another common product that you have at home is baby oil. You can use baby oils for many things. For example, I use it to lubricate my tools and other stuff.
It is also a good alternative to try cleaning off polyurethane from your skin.
Here are the things you need:
- Baby oil
- Cotton balls
- Soap and water
- Cloth
- Lotion
Step 1: Rub the oil
Wet a cotton ball with baby oil and rub it on your hands. Let the oil sit on your skin for some time until the polyurethane lifts from your skin. This method might need more time, but it is safer than other chemicals.
Step 2: Remove the polyurethane and wash your hands
Remove the loosened polyurethane using your nails or a cloth. Then, wash your hands with soap and water.
Step 3: Dry and moisturize
Dry your hands and treat them with moisturizing lotion.
What Dissolves Dried Polyurethane?
A hardened polyurethane can be difficult to dissolve because it turns to a plastic-like product. However, various solvents can assist in dissolving dried polyurethane. They include acetone and paint strippers like stripper gels or solvents.
Acetone
Acetone is a powerful solvent capable of dissolving polyurethane or at least allowing you to scrape it off. The only challenge you’ll face is the fact that it evaporates quickly. Thus, you may need to consume a lot to be more effective.
Paint Strippers
Many think a paint thinner or mineral spirits are enough to dissolve polyurethane. Unfortunately, these products need to be stronger to soften the dried polyurethane.
Various products available in the market can help dissolve hardened polyurethane. A chemical stripper is a popular product that dissolves or softens polyurethane.
Chemical strippers can facilitate a faster dissolution of polyurethane. The Digesil 1000, for example, promises to dissolve dried polyurethane quickly. CitriStrip is another popular product made specifically for dissolving dried polyurethane.
If you have dried polyurethane on your hands and want to use these products, you need to be extra cautious. These chemicals can cause more skin irritation. Therefore, try other safer alternatives first.
Is Polyurethane Toxic on Your Hands?
It is generally safe for your skin when the chemical reaction is over or when the polyurethane dries. Touching a hardened polyurethane will not do anything to your skin.
However, the chemicals it contains can be harmful to your skin. Without proper protection, you might be exposing your skin to hazardous chemicals. The highly reactive raw material of polyurethane called isocyanates can potentially cause skin irritations.
A study reports that some people experience allergic contact dermatitis after exposure to isocyanates.
Final Thoughts
You can try various methods or products to remove polyurethane from your hands. Among your choices are soap and water (for water-based polyurethane), mineral spirits, petroleum-based solvents, denatured alcohol, and other home remedies.
The cleaning process may also involve soaking your hands in warm water to loosen the polyurethane’s contact with your skin. Then, you can wash it off with dishwashing soap and water. Applying a moisturizer is necessary to avoid experiencing dry skin.