Soap and Water Method

Sealant is typically water resistant so you may find that soap and water is not the easiest method to remove sealant however, it can help to loosen the sealant and remove any other dirt and debris.

1. Dampen hands in warm water and lather generously with a hand soap.
2. Take a hand brush and scrub the affected areas in circular motions to loosen the sealant.
3. Rinse hands with warm water to remove any residue.
4. Repeat steps if necessary and if you find that this is not an effective removal method, try one of the suggested techniques as listed below.

Oil or Grease Removal Technique

As sealant is a joining and bonding material it is typically resistant to water, heat and detergents and so, can be difficult to remove from your skin.

You can use petroleum jelly, an oil based substance, to help break down the sealant, making it easier to remove.

1. Begin by applying a generous amount of petroleum jelly to the affected areas
2. Rub the petroleum jelly in circular motions into your skin for a few minutes and this should begin to break down the sealant. 
3. Use a clean cloth to wipe away the petroleum jelly and the loosened sealant.
4. You may need to repeat this a few times in order to fully remove the sealant.
5. Wash your hands with warm soapy water to remove any petroleum jelly and oily residue.

Lemon Juice Solution

Lemon juice is a natural acid that can dissolve and break down silicone sealant and make it much easier to remove from your hands.

1. You can either use fresh or bottled lemon juice, depending on what you have to hand. Pour lemon juice into a bowl so you are able to submerge your hands.
2. Place your hands into the lemon juice and rub them together in circular motions. Make sure to cover all affected areas in the lemon juice.
3. Sit your hands in the lemon juice for a few minutes, allowing the acidity of the solution to break down the sealant.
4. Use a hand brush to gently scrub your hands, which should remove the loosened sealant.
5. Rinse your hands in warm soapy water to remove both the lemon juice and any silicone.
6. If sealant still remains, repeat the process and continue to do so until all is completely removed.

Lemon juice may not be a suitable remover method for everyone. If you have sensitive skin or any allergies, it is best to avoid using lemon juice to remove sealant.

Vinegar Soak Solution

Vinegar is a natural acid that can help to dissolve and remove silicone sealant.

Here is how you can use vinegar to remove sealant from your hands:

1. Pour some vinegar into a bowl or container, making sure there is enough so that your hands can be fully submerged. You should soak your hands for around 15 minutes.
2. Using a hand brush, scrub the affected areas in circular motions.
3. Once you have scrubbed your hands thoroughly, make sure to rinse them with warm water, removing any vinegar and sealant residue.
4. If there is any sealant remaining on your hands, repeat the process until all is removed.

The acidic nature of the vinegar may dry out your hands, so it is important to moisturise your hands after soaking them in the vinegar. If you have sensitive skin or any allergies, you should avoid using vinegar and try another method to remove the sealant from your hands.

Baking Soda Exfoliation Method

Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that can help to remove stubborn stains and any residue that remains on the skin. As it is a natural product, it is much safer than using harsh chemicals and abrasives.

Here is how you can use baking soda to remove sealant from your hands:

1. Dampen your hands with warm water
2. Dispense a liberal amount of baking soda onto your hands.
3. Rub your hands together, in circular motions, focusing on the areas covered in sealant.
4. Rinse your hands with warm water and see if the sealant has been removed. If any sealant remains, repeat steps 2 and 3, until none remains.
5. Once the sealant has all been removed, wash your hands in soap and water to remove any baking soda residue.

Alcohol or Hand Sanitizer Trick

Rubbing alcohol or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser is an effective solvent to remove sealant.

Here’s how you can use rubbing alcohol to remove solvent from your hands:

1. Start by washing your hands with soap and warm water, to remove any dirt and grime, which will enable the rubbing alcohol to penetrate the sealant more effectively.
2. Pour some of the rubbing alcohol on to a cloth, just enough to saturate it.
3. Applying some pressure, scrub the affected area in circular motions using the alcohol soaked cloth.
4. Repeat these steps until all of the sealant is removed, it may take a few attempts for the sealant to begin to break down.
5. After removing all the sealant, make sure to wash your hands with warm soapy water, to remove any of the remaining rubbing alcohol.

Removing Sealant with Acetone

Acetone is a solvent that can be used to dissolve sealant

1. Begin by washing your hands with soap and water to remove any dirt and debris, which will enable the acetone to penetrate through the sealant.
2. Soak a cloth in acetone or a nail polish remover containing acetone, and use the cloth to scrub the affected area in circular motions.
3. You may need to repeat this a few times in order to fully remove the sealant.
4. Once all the sealant has been removed, wash your hands with warm soapy water to remove any acetone residue.

After using acetone on your skin, it is advisable to apply some moisturiser to prevent your skin from drying out. Acetone may not be suitable if you have sensitive skin, as it can cause skin irritation and it should not be used on any areas of broken skin.

Using Wonder Wipes

Another great solution to cleaning sealant off your hands is using wipes such as Wonder Wipes. They come in various sizes to suit your needs, so you'll have them on the go whenever you undertake your next DIY project.