Do grit guards work? What they do and how to use one
By Ollie B - SoapX Ltd.
A grit guard is a plastic grid that sits in the base of a wash bucket. Some people will not wash without one and some call it a gimmick. The truth sits between the two. A grit guard does a real job, but only if you use it properly, and it is not a filter.
What is a grit guard?
A grit guard is a raised grid that stands a few centimetres off the base of the bucket, usually on a set of fins. Your mitt stays above the grid. The dirt you rinse out of it falls through and settles underneath.
What a grit guard does
- It gives you something to rub the mitt against. The grid works like a washboard. A few passes across it open up the pile and shake loose the grit that a simple dunk leaves behind.
- It calms the water in the base. Every time you dip the mitt, the water moves. The fins under the grid break that movement up, so grit that has settled is less likely to be stirred back up.
- It keeps the mitt off the bottom. The heaviest grit ends up on the base of the bucket. The guard stops the mitt from ever sitting in it.
What a grit guard does not do
- It does not filter the water. Fine particles stay suspended above and below the grid. That is why rinse water turns cloudy, and why you change it when it does.
- It does not clean the mitt for you. A quick dunk does very little. You have to rub.
- It does not replace the second bucket. A guard in a single bucket keeps the heavier grit low, but all of the dirt is still in your shampoo. Our guide to one bucket vs two explains why that matters.
How to use a grit guard properly
- Push the guard flat onto the base of the bucket before you fill it.
- Fill the bucket so there is a good depth of water above the grid.
- After each panel, press the mitt onto the guard in RINSE and rub it back and forth a few times. Turn the mitt over and repeat.
- Lift the mitt out and squeeze it.
- Reload it in WASH and move to the next panel.
Do not leave the mitt sitting in the bucket between panels, and do not stir the water. Both undo the job the guard is doing.
One grit guard or two?
Two is better. If you only have one, put it in RINSE, because that is where the mitt drops most of its dirt. A second guard in WASH catches anything that survives the rinse and keeps it out of reach of the mitt.
| Set up | What you get |
|---|---|
| Two buckets, no guards | The dirt stays out of your shampoo, but it can be stirred back up in the rinse water. |
| Two buckets, guard in RINSE | A surface to rub the mitt on and calmer rinse water. The sensible minimum. |
| Two buckets, guard in both | The same, plus a second line of defence in the shampoo. |
| One bucket with a guard | Better than nothing. The dirt is still in your shampoo. |
Will a grit guard fit my bucket?
Guards are sized to the bucket. Too small and it slides around or tips over. Too big and it will not sit flat. Buying the bucket and the guard together avoids the guesswork. Our 20 litre wash bucket comes with a guard that fits, and the Two Bucket Kit has a WASH bucket, a RINSE bucket, two guards and two lids.
How to check yours is working
At the end of the wash, pour the rinse water away slowly and lift the guard out. The grit sitting on the base of the bucket is what did not go back onto your mitt.
Common mistakes
- Dunking without rubbing. The grid only helps if the mitt touches it.
- Too little water. If the mitt cannot move freely above the grid, it is sitting in the dirt.
- Never changing the rinse water. A guard slows the build up. It does not stop it. Change the water when it turns cloudy.
- Putting the bucket away dirty. Rinse the bucket and the guard after every wash and let them dry, so old grit is not waiting for the next one.
Quick answers
Do grit guards actually work?
Yes, within limits. A grit guard helps you scrub grit out of the mitt and helps keep settled grit on the base of the bucket. It is not a filter, and it works best alongside a second bucket.
Do I need a grit guard for the two bucket method?
The method works without one. A guard makes it work better, because the dirt you rinse out is far less likely to be stirred back up.
Do I need a grit guard in both buckets?
It is best to have one in each. If you only have one, use it in the rinse bucket.
Can I use a grit guard with one bucket?
You can, and it is better than one bucket without. It does not stop the dirt from mixing into your shampoo, which is what the second bucket is for.
How do I clean a grit guard?
Lift it out, rinse both sides with a hose and let it dry before you store it.
Kit for this job
- 20L Wash Bucket with Grit Guard, single or Two Bucket Kit
- Ultra Plush Microfibre Wash Mitt
- Ultra Plush Microfibre Wash Pad
- No.05 Contact Shampoo
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