How to remove PU foam easily with a foam cleaner
19.08.2026
Polyurethane (PU) foam is an essential construction material, but it can also be one of the messiest to work with. Fresh PU foam is extremely sticky and begins to cure immediately when it comes into contact with moisture in the air.
When working with PU foam, the foam can accidentally end up on tools, clothing, hands or nearby surfaces. Any unwanted foam residue should be removed as quickly as possible. Also, cleaning the tools immediately after use helps to maintain their performance and extends their service life.
Never try to use water to clean up PU foam; instead, use a dedicated solvent-based PU foam cleaner. We recommend always having a can of foam cleaner and cleaning wipes at hand whenever working with PU foam.
What is PU foam cleaner?
Penosil Foam Cleaner 929 is a solvent-based, sprayable cleaner developed for removing uncured construction foam quickly and efficiently. The acetone-based formula reacts instantly and dissolves fresh polyurethane foam in seconds. This versatile product can be used both indoors and outdoors, at temperatures between −10°C and +30°C.
Important: When using it indoors, make sure the room is well ventilated.
Penosil Foam Cleaner 929 can be used for:
- Cleaning the inside and outside of the foam gun
- Removing uncured construction foam from clothes and tools
- Removing uncured construction foam from window frames, window sills, doors, door jambs, etc.
What products should you use to clean your hands and remove cured PU foam?
- Always avoid skin contact when working with PU foam: wear protective gloves, safety glasses and long-sleeved clothing. Every Penosil foam can includes a pair of disposable plastic gloves. For gun foams, the gloves are located underneath the can, while for straw foams they are placed under the cap. Don’t forget to use them!
- If you do get uncured foam on your skin, remove it immediately with Penosil Cleaning Wipes 941, Penosil Professional Wipes 999, a solvent, or wipe it off with paper/cloth as much as possible.
- Cleaning uncured foam immediately reduces the need for more time-consuming mechanical removal later. If, however, the PU foam has already cured or hardened, soften it first with Penosil Foam Remover 995 and then scrape it off with a suitable tool. As the foam remover might damage the surface coating, it is always recommended to do a preliminary compatibility test. Do not use foam remover to clean hands.
Two convenient application methods
Penosil Foam Cleaner 929 has a versatile 2-in-1 application system. It can either be used with the supplied spray nozzle for cleaning PU foam from external surfaces or connected directly to a foam gun adapter for thorough internal cleaning.
The cleaner’s special valve allows it to be used through 360°, meaning it can be used in any position: upright, horizontal or upside down, making it an easy and fast way to clean up sticky PU foam.
Which application mode to use?
| Spray Nozzle | Valve Connection |
|---|---|
| Cleaning clothing and surfaces | Cleaning the inside of a foam gun |
| Cleaning outside of a foam gun (applicator tip, valve) | |
| Cleaning the foam can adapter |
How to use Penosil Foam Cleaner 929
When working with gun foam
Good-quality foam guns are quite expensive; therefore, it is worth learning about basic foam gun maintenance. Cleaning the gun after each use prevents cured foam from clogging the mechanism, ensuring a consistent foam flow and extending the gun’s service life.
Following the cleaning steps below helps to keep your foam gun in good working condition and extends its lifespan.
Cleaning the foam gun
Even though foam guns do not last forever, with correct maintenance their service life can be extended considerably. Once you have finished working with PU gun foam, you have two options:
1. Leaving the gun on the can:
If the foam can is still partially full and you plan to use it again soon, do not remove it from the gun. Leaving the foam can attached to the gun between uses is the best way to preserve the quality of the foam. However, a few simple maintenance steps should still be carried out after each use.
- Close the gun adjustment screw.
- Clean the applicator tip straight away after every use to prevent it from clogging. Remove the protective cap from Penosil Foam Cleaner 929 valve. Attach the spray nozzle to the cleaner valve and spray some cleaner onto the gun applicator tip.
- Wipe the tip clean with Penosil cleaning wipes, paper or cloth.
2. Removing the gun:
If the foam can is empty, you are switching to a different foam formula, or you will not use the partially full foam can for a while, remove the gun and clean it immediately.
- First, close the gun adjustment screw, then remove the foam can.
- Dispense any remaining foam from the gun into a waste bag or cardboard box. Emptying the gun completely of foam residue reduces the amount of cleaner required.
- Before application, shake the cleaner can vigorously for at least 5 to 10 seconds.
- Clean the outside of the gun using Penosil Foam Cleaner 929 spray nozzle. Attach the spray nozzle to the can valve and spray the cleaner onto the applicator tip and gun valve.
- Wipe it clean with Penosil Cleaning Wipes 941 or Penosil Professional Wipes 999, paper or cloth.
- Hold the cleaner can upright (valve facing upwards) and screw it onto the foam gun.
- When using the foam gun, always have the aerosol can in the upside-down position. Spray until the liquid runs completely clear.
- Wait approx. 2 min and spray again to finish the cleaning process.
When working with straw foam
When using straw foam, the most practical solution is to keep replacement straws on hand.
- If the can is not empty but you will not be using it for a while, simply remove and discard the used straw.
- Clean the foam can adapter with Penosil Foam Cleaner 929 spray nozzle and wipe away any residue using Penosil cleaning wipes.
- The next time you want to use the same foam, attach a new straw from the Penosil Foam Straw 5-pack to the foam can adapter.
To make the cleaning process easier and faster, when working with either PU gun or straw foam, you should always have a can of Penosil Foam Cleaner 929 at hand.
Cleaning clothes, surfaces and the exterior of the foam gun
Penosil Foam Cleaner 929 is compatible with many construction materials. However, you should always test surface material compatibility on an inconspicuous area beforehand. As it is a solvent-based product, it might dissolve some paints and other surface coatings.
- For surface cleaning, attach the spray nozzle to the cleaner adapter.
- Spray the cleaner onto the uncured foam and allow it to work for a few seconds.
- Wipe the surface with Penosil cleaning wipes, paper or cloth to remove any foam or cleaner residue.
Frequently asked questions:
You do not need the whole can of cleaner to clean the gun once. If used and stored correctly, one can of cleaner can be used multiple times and lasts for a while.
Penosil Foam Cleaner 929’s guaranteed shelf life is 24 months from the production date. You can check the best-before date on the bottom of the can. The foam cleaner must be stored in a cool and dry place between +5°C and +30°C. As the cleaner can has gas inside it, do not keep it near heat sources or in direct sunlight; the can might explode if overheated.
Penosil Foam Cleaner 929 is a solvent-based product and can be used also for removing adhesive residues, stickers, tape, gum etc sticky residue from glass, metal, tiles and other non-porous surfaces. It is also suitable for removing fresh paint or varnish residues form hard surfaces.
No, this product is not suitable for removing cured PU foam. Cured or hardened PU foam can be softened with Penosil Foam Remover 995 and then removed mechanically.
Cured or hardened PU foam can be removed with Penosil Foam Remover 995. Spray the foam remover onto the hardened foam. Allow the foam to soften for 5 to 10 minutes and then remove it mechanically by scraping it off with a spatula or putty knife. Finally, clean the surface with a damp cloth or use Penosil Cleaning Wipes 941 or Penosil Professional Wipes 999.
The main ingredient in Penosil Foam Cleaner 929 is acetone. As this is a solvent-based aerosol product, it is flammable and combustible. Keep it away from fire and heat, and do not smoke while using the foam cleaner. Use it only in well-ventilated areas and always make a preliminary material compatibility test.
Polyurethane foam can be cleaned with solvent-based products. Fresh or uncured polyurethane foam can be cleaned with Penosil Foam Cleaner 929 and Penosil Cleaning Wipes 941. Cured or hardened polyurethane foam can be softened with Penosil Foam Remover 995 and then removed mechanically.
Conclusion
Thanks to Penosil Foam Cleaner 929’s versatile 2-in-1 application system, the same product can be used to clean surfaces as well as foam guns, making it an essential product for every PU foam installation. Having a foam cleaner close at hand makes working with construction foam faster, cleaner and more efficient.
Regular PU foam cleaning not only saves time during installation but also helps extend the service life of foam guns and ensures reliable performance whenever they are used.
Also read our other educational articles about PU foam:
How to Use PU Gun Foam Like a True Professional
When and How to Use Fire-Resistant PU Foam?
Penosil EasyGun Foam 108: One foam for all