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I really do try to stick to wearing gardening gloves especially as I work with fabric but you know what its like the phone rings, off with the gloves and forget to put them back on. My hands get really dirty and no amount of washing will remove the dirt.

Our nephew is getting married next month and I have visions of me in my best togs with disgusting hands. Has anyone got any tips please.

A friend of mine soaks her hands in bleach - can't say I fancy that.

Sue

There are various things you can use. A pumice stone is really good for shifting stubborn bits and lemon juice in water will do the same as your pal's bleach. It will also help to whiten and condition your nails.

The main problem though, is that you gets cracks and suchlike in your hands and nails, especially when gardening. This is where the dirt harbours. So having got rid of it you need to help your hands mend. Rub them in olive oil every night and you could wear a pair of cotton gloves to protect your bedding (sexy huh?). Make sure your nails are trimmed and cut off (don't rip) any snags. Should be lovely in a week or two.

AND WEAR THOSE GARDENING GLOVES - sorry for shouting

I'll ditto the lemon juice trick

When I was a young teenager, I remember asking my stepdad... and he told me that kneading dough always did the trick for him!!
Anyway, stupid as it sounds, blutack does the very same - great for getting into the little nooks & crannies

I scrub my hands with a bit of olive oil and sea salt. It can get a bit painful when your hands are cracked, but it does help them to heal.

Olive oil and sugar or baby oil and sugar works well for my horrible hands. Less painful than salt!!

I like ground up oats. I keep them in a pot with a screwtop in the bathroom cupboard. I either lather up my hands with soap and water then sprinkle some oats onto my hands, or mix with some oil or cream.

Sometimes I wipe under my nails with a cotton bud dipped in almond oil which seems to help lift the dirt and is great for strengthening nails.

xx

I was going to say baby oil, or if you don't have enough babies to press , use CRC 5.56 - it shifts most things *ducks for cover*

I saw a soap recipe for 'gardeners soap' - It used coffee grounds as an abrasive.... you could try that?

Thank you for the interesting replies, I will be trying them all out. I would never have thought of using olive oil.

I am going to make a real effort to wear the gloves and hopefully my hands will be beautifully clean and have long nails in time for our nephews wedding.

Thanks again
Sue

Very interesting thread. Thanks for all the tips guys. I finished work a week ago and already my hands have gone from clean with lovely nails to black and cracked. Just off to find the olive oil now.

Cheers
Zoe