My Italians bees love to collect propolis and lots of it, they glue everything tightly shut. When I am working in the hives, man do my fingers get full of that crap. I keep a cold bucket of water nearby and every few minutes I put my hands in the cold water and the propolis rubs off my fingers very quickly. I do this very frequently and don't get too much of a build up. I can't stand my fingers being sticky and propolis just ain't my cup of tea.
When I am done my work in the beeyard I have another little container that I use as the second measure to rid propolis. It is a mason jar that has rubbing alcohol in it. I put my hands in this container and wash my fingers and hands. The propolis is gone probably in under a minute. Then I have another little container that I have more water in and I wash my hands in this water to rid the rest of the alcohol. Then of course I have a cloth handy to dry, or just wipe my hands on my jeans.
When I am outside with the bees, the likelihood of me wanting to go into the house to clean up my hands is remote. It is too far and there is too much fun to be had outside to even waste a few minutes to go into the house to wash. I am in play mode when I am outside, and when I speak of play, it is weeding, working, that is my play. Going into the house means that I might have to do some work and on those nice days, I really don't like work :roll: ;) :)
My procedures are rather odd, but they work for me and I don't have those sticky hands that I am sure every flower petal, weed and hunk of dirt or rock would stick to!!! Have this wonderful day, love our life we're livin'. Cindi