Swarfega

[IDB1]

put the bits in the dishwasher...........

Don't think the wife would be too happy about that.. our dishwasher is, erm, manual :?

 

[MartinYorkshire]

Hmm.

Someone else recommended Muc Off today. I'm going to get that and try the green slime swarfega.

What on earth was it used for in relation to silk tights? It stinks. Cant see any woman wanting to wear tights coated in smelly green slime? lol

 

[Pickle]

Think I'll go with Muc-Off for cleaning though, just have to cut down on the measures so there's some left . . .

I always water mine down 50/50 and its still just as effective.

 

[CAS]

I'd go with citrus degreaser myself.

 

[sic_nick]

It was originally for storing the tights in to extend the life of them. I would expect you had to rinse of the Swarfega before wearing them but that's the purpose it was intended for just coincidental that mechanics had discovered it was good at removing grease from their hands especially at a time when Nylon stockings were taking over from silk or it may never have continued to be produced.

 

[MartinYorkshire]

You really do learn something new every day. What a strange origin indeed.

Thanks for that

 

[sic_nick]

From their website:-

But, not many people know that when the product was first invented by AB Williamson (Founder of Deb Ltd), it actually started out as Deb Silkware Protector; a mild solution for hand-washing silk stockings, intended to prevent them from laddering.

The war diverted silk to parachute production, and the Americans arrived in Britain with nylons and destroyed the silk stocking market — and the need for Deb Silkware Protector.

Historic Swarfega tinFrom early memories of motor fitters washing their hands with petrol, paraffin and sand — and suffering from cracked skin and dermatitis — AB Williamson decided to reformulate Deb Silkware Protector and invent a skin cleaner which would remove engine oils and grease, but leave the skin’s natural oils intact.

In 1947, Swarfega was born; it was the first hand cleaner of its type in the world. The name derives from “swarf”, being the old Derbyshire engineering term for oil and grease and “ega”, as in “eager to clean”.

 

[jimo746]

As above, have always used Gunk or any other automotive degreaser, usually the type you get in a spray can for a few quid... hell, if it shifts the grime from my car engine then it will tackle bike grime no problem.

 

[Rampage]

Fenwicks,
CIF Power Creme yellow,
Tardis (melts plastic in seconds) very powerful.

White Spirit is fine for use on car bodywork so should be ok. Just make sure you wash it off!

 

[perry]

memories of motor fitters washing their hands with petrol, paraffin and sand

Back when men were ard and if you didn't have a machete to shave you just rubbed your face against a rock , Grrr .