torajima, I just use the hose to clean everything, tools, gloves & all. Sometimes I fill the bucket and toss the tools in it while I'm working if it is taking a long time. I try to do it where it won't hurt the yard or anything. I don't rush to do it. Just when I get done with whatever I am working on. I wouldn't let it set and go do something else and come back. Sometimes I have to give it a little extra nudge to get completely clean. Kathy

You might want to add some sand to that recipe.

Rinse off everything as soon as you can. I keep a bucket full of water and I use it for adding water to my mixes, rinsing tools and gloves. I wash the wheelbarrow, mortar pan, buckets out on the lawn. Granted, most of the time I use sand, cement and peat moss. So I wouldn't have little white bits of perlite on the lawn. There's usually not much leftover cause you use any leftovers for pot feet or candle holders or leaf castings or tile experiments; so have your leftover molds ready. All your doing is adding lime to your lawn and in my area, lawns can use lime.
I'm jealous if you're working outside. I think we're suppose to warm up this weekend but I've got a lab one day and house chores the other. Good luck and have fun! Billie

Thanks Kathy, Billie.

Billie, you sound like me... only I'm skipping the house chores & homework so I can take advantage of the warm weather!

Unfortunately, I've hit a snag with the hypertufa project... I can't find any portland cement! At least not in anything under 100 lb bags. I've found some quickrete in smaller bags, but it's not the cement/sand mixture, it's the mortar mix and some other mix that has gravel in it.

Well I found the quickrete topping mix (portland cement plus sand), so I might attempt a project tomorrow!

Standard bag is 92 or 94 Lbs but some small hardware stores sometimes carry the 47 lb bags. That is if the portland cement companies still make them. They use to make the 2 sizes.
I think that Dena used the topping mix and she recommended mixing the bag ingredients because they settle? separate? Now this is all a "I think I remember what was said statement"!
I just muscle the big bag. Even though I'm not that big it's easier for me cause I drive a big truck and I can throw it in the back on a plastic bag. Some people here take 5 gallon plastic buckets with lids to Home Depot or Lowes and have one of the associates help get it to their car/truck. Then off load into the plastic pails with a scoop or small bucket. You'd have to watch if it's a windy day and wear a mask no matter what. Oh and no rainy days, lol!
You're going to love this addiction! Billie

Well... cleaning the wheelbarrow was easy. Everything else was hard! ^_^

The peat was full of sticks and bark, so I had to filter all that out. The quickrete was either old are stored where it got damp... much of the bag I had to throw out. I guess I should have taken it back, but it was a big enough pain getting a 60 lb bag out of the car.

I ended up mixing about 1.5 parts quickrete topping mix (half cement/half sand) with 1 part peat and 1 part vermiculite. It was very windy, but with the goggles and face mask the dust didn't bother me too bad.

I'm not sure if my mix was too dry, as I don't eat cottage cheese... I'd say it was the consistency of biscuit flower (wet enough to stick together, but no visible liquid).

The hypertufa didn't go as far as I thought. I made one small trough, 1 small mushroom, and 1 small... well, I'm not sure what to call the last thing.

And when I was done I realized that I had either gotten cement dust in my gloves, or the cement had eaten thru them, as my skin was coming off. Fun!

So I guess I'm not addicted yet. We'll have to see if my trough turns out...