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This is a question Ignored Advice

What wholesome advice have you ignored, to your own downfall?

(, Thu 15 Nov 2012, 17:01)
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I don't think so.
I assume you are joking; but for general enlightenment:

Butter is a proven method of tar removal. Essentially, you're using a broadly-similar innocuous substance, to help remove a problematic and very adhesive one.

Although many long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons should do the job; butter scores well for being readily available, non-toxic, generally contaminant-free, and low cost.

It's been used in a medical context as part of the treatment of tar burns. First Aid by cooling with cold water (as per most heat burns); then later using butter to dissolve the tar, and clean absorbent material to soak up the resultant emulsion. Finally, standard wound cleaning and care can be applied.

Apparently it performed well as an expedient solution; possibly even superior to the established substances (which were unavailable at the time) for tar removal.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Seek professional advice in the event of tar burns. Terms and conditions apply. Your home is at risk if you set fire to it.

References: www.worldwidewounds.com/2004/december/Steenvoorde/Tar-Removal-From-A-Burn-With-Butter.html
(, Mon 19 Nov 2012, 1:06, 1 reply)
Speaking as a health care professional who spent 5 years working on a burns unit...
...I can confirm that, as well as dealing with those affected by bad Scottish poetry, we did use butter(and, other, oil-based substances) to treat bitumen burns.
(, Mon 19 Nov 2012, 8:05, closed)

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