All in all, I lean reusable when I can, especially since disposables end up costing more over time. Only exception is when working with chemicals or really gross stuff—then I’ll splurge on a fresh pair every time.
Same here—reusables just make more sense for most jobs, especially if you’re trying to cut down on waste. I’ve had decent luck with the thicker nitrile-coated work gloves (the kind with a fabric back). They don’t get as funky as rubber, and if you rinse them and hang them up, they last a while. Still, nothing’s perfect—eventually they stiffen up or start to smell, especially after roofing adhesive or tar. Haven’t found a glove that stays fresh forever, but rotating a couple pairs helps.
Haven’t found a glove that stays fresh forever, but rotating a couple pairs helps.
That’s been my experience too—rotating gloves is about the only way I’ve found to keep them usable for longer, especially if you’re dealing with sticky stuff like roofing tar. I’ve tried soaking nitrile-coated ones in a mild bleach solution after especially nasty jobs, but after a while they still get stiff or lose their grip.
I do think reusables are the way to go for most projects, though. The waste from disposables adds up fast, and honestly, the thin ones just don’t hold up for anything rough. That said, when I’m dealing with solvents or stripping paint with chemicals, I don’t mess around—disposables all day. Too many stories about folks getting rashes or worse from reusing gloves that absorbed something nasty.
Curious if anyone’s found a glove that actually stands up to tar or oil-based stuff without turning into a biohazard in a week. Until then, seems like swapping pairs and letting them dry is about as good as it gets.
Yeah, I hear you—nothing I’ve tried really holds up to tar for long. Even the “chemical resistant” gloves get gross after a week or two. Rotating pairs and letting them dry out is about the only trick that’s worked for me too. At least it keeps your hands from smelling like a tire fire all day...