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Posted: 23rd November 2023 | Author: Jamie Brown | Category: Silicones
Back to newsHow to clean up after using silicone sealant
Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a professional contractor, one of the most important parts of the job is clearing up after yourself. It can make the difference between a sleek, masterful finish and an unsightly mess, so it’s well worth learning how to properly clean and tidy up after a job is done.
First, let’s think about wet sealant. It’s best to start cleaning up as soon as possible after the job is done, as it’s usually easier to remove wet materials than those that have dried or set.
Whether you’re removing excess sealant from the application area or you’ve accidentally applied it somewhere you didn’t mean to, wet silicone sealant can usually be wiped away from tiles using a rag or cleaning wipes. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have these items on hand beside you while you’re doing the job - that way, you can remove any mislaid sealant as quickly as possible.
However, sometimes it’s not possible to clean up silicone sealant before it has started to dry or harden. In that case, you’ll need to know how to remove dried sealant.
Fortunately, removing excess dried silicone sealant requires much the same method as removing old sealant so you can add a new application. Specialist chemical silicone removers can be useful, but they’re not your only option if you need to remove a blob of sealant in a pinch.
First, use your hands to try and peel the silicone off the surface. If you can’t get traction, try using the blade of a Stanley knife to cut the sealant away from the surface, being careful not to scratch or otherwise damage the surface. This is particularly important if the surface will be visible when the job is done, as scratches can make your handiwork appear lower quality.
Use your hands or a manual sealant peeling tool to scrape the sealant up off the surface. This can take a while, so have patience. This step should remove most of the sealant, but it may leave behind residue or small blobs of sealant.
If this is the case, try using white spirit on a cleaning tissue or cloth to remove what remains. You may need to use an abrasive cleaner such as a scouring pad if the remains of the silicone sealant prove stubborn.
Top tip! Removing dried sealant can be tricky, so consider laying down decorators’ cloths or dust sheets to protect areas you don’t want to get dirty over the course of your project. This can help to protect them from stray sealant as well as reducing the time you’ll need for cleaning up.
Whether you’ve used your hands to smooth down a bead of silicone or you’ve managed to get it on your skin in some other way, it’s a good idea to remove sealant from your hands as soon as you can.
Step 1 - Manually remove as much as you can
The less silicone you have to remove, the easier it will be. Try to remove any large blobs of sealant using your hands and fingernails. Don’t be tempted to try scraping it off with your Stanley knife or a similar blade - that’s a quick and simple way to have a painful accident.
Step 2 - Use some simple household goods
Although it might seem strange, butter and baking soda can help to remove the remaining sealant from your hands. Cut off a small amount of butter from the packet and rub it all over your hands - or any area of skin that has silicone on it. Then do the same with baking soda.
Want to know the logic behind this before you get your hands all buttery? Well, the butter helps to soften and lubricate the sealant to loosen its adhesion to your skin. Then the baking soda acts as a mild abrasive to scrub the sealant away.
Step 3 - Return to good old fashioned hand soap
The final step is to wash off any residue from the butter, sealant and baking soda using the regular hand soap you have in your bathroom. Wash them thoroughly to make sure they’re entirely clean, and don’t forget to dry them off. Simple!
And if you want to avoid having to get out the butter after your next project, make sure to cover up your hands, forearms and any other exposed areas to reduce the risk of getting silicone sealant on your skin.
Last but not least, it’s time to look at removing silicone sealant from your clothes. Your best option if you haven’t started your project yet is to wear something you don’t mind getting dirty and/or covered in sealant, as we’d recommend for any construction or DIY project. That way, you don’t have to worry about it.
However, if you’ve already got sealant on clothes you care about - whether by doing your project in your nice clothes or sealant getting in under your overalls - then there are a few things you can try.
For small amounts of silicone, try spot cleaning the area with white spirit. Remember to do a patch test first to be sure the white spirit won’t damage or discolour the fabric, or you could make things worse. It’s also a good idea to wear gloves when applying the chemical.
If there’s a thicker amount of sealant involved, or perhaps a globule of the stuff, try putting the affected clothes in the freezer for a few hours. You read that right, by the way - freezing the silicone speeds up the hardening process so that you can get to work scraping the sealant off your clothes with a spatula or sealant remover tool.
Then, once you’ve removed most of the sealant, you should be able to get rid of the residue using warm water and dish soap. This might take a few attempts and some patience. Once you’re happy, wash away the soap residue with clean water and allow the clothes to dry.
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The Author: Jamie Brown
From my early working life as a labourer, then becoming a builder and a property developer, I have been buying and using building materials for over 25 years. I set about to start a builders merchant which can offer high-quality products and significant savings along with speedy delivery to keep your sites moving. Still having a foot in the construction industry on my own property, I always make sure the products we sell are up to our high standards which is important for us to keep a great image for the company and superior reputation to supply quality!
