Eye and hand protection: disposable vs. reusable gear?

That’s a good call on switching to reusables. I’ve noticed the same thing - those disposable nitrile gloves pile up fast, and it’s hard not to feel guilty tossing out so many after just a few hours of work. We went through a similar transition on my end, especially for maintenance tasks that aren’t super messy. The PVC-coated gloves definitely feel a bit odd at first, but they’re surprisingly durable if you keep up with cleaning them. I’ve had a couple pairs last months, which is wild compared to burning through boxes of disposables.

I do agree, though, nothing’s perfect. There’s always that one job where you wish you could just peel off the gloves and forget about it. And yeah, the smell... I’ve tried baking soda rinses and even leaving them out in the sun, but after a while, they all seem to get that “lived-in” funk. Still, it beats the mountain of trash bags full of blue gloves.

Haven’t tried PVA either - like you said, seems like overkill unless you’re dealing with some serious chemicals. For most roofing or general property work, PVC or even those heavy-duty rubber ones are more than enough. Rinsing them off right away really does make a difference, though.

Funny timing - just last week I was sorting through the garage and found a half-full box of nitrile gloves from before I switched over. It’s wild how quickly those things add up, especially if you’re doing even semi-regular work. I used to go through a box every couple months, and the trash bags were just... embarrassing. I get the convenience, but it started to feel wasteful.

I’ve been using the same two pairs of PVC gloves for almost a year now. They’re not as nimble as nitrile, but for anything short of dealing with solvents or really fine work, they do the trick. I actually started hanging them on a little hook by the utility sink so I remember to rinse them right after I’m done. That’s made a huge difference with the smell - though, yeah, after a while there’s still a bit of that “old gym bag” aroma. I tried vinegar soaks, which helped a bit, but nothing’s perfect. At least I’m not tossing out a mountain of blue gloves every month.

One thing I noticed: if you turn them inside out after rinsing and let them dry that way, they seem to stay fresher longer. Not sure if it’s just better airflow or what, but it’s worked for me. I also keep a backup pair for the really nasty jobs - sometimes you just want to peel off the grime and be done with it.

I hear you on PVA gloves. I looked into them once when I was stripping old paint with some gnarly chemicals, but for most home stuff, it’s definitely overkill. The heavy-duty rubber ones are my go-to for anything with caustics or oils. They’re clunky, but at least you know your hands are safe.

Honestly, the only time I still reach for disposables is when I’m dealing with something like insulation or mouse droppings - stuff I just don’t want to mess around with cleaning. Otherwise, reusables have saved me money and cut down on trash. Not perfect, but it feels like a step in the right direction.

I get the appeal of reusables, but I’m still a bit skeptical about how clean you can really get them after certain jobs. I tried switching to heavy-duty rubber gloves for yard work and painting, and they’re holding up, but the inside does get pretty gross even with rinsing. Turning them inside out helps, but sometimes I wonder if I’m just trapping moisture in there. For anything involving insulation or animal mess, I’m not sure I’ll ever be comfortable skipping disposables - just feels safer. Still, I can’t argue with the amount of trash I’ve avoided since cutting back. Maybe it’s just a matter of finding the right balance for each task.

I totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve had the same issue with rubber gloves after crawling around in attics - sweat and insulation dust just seem to stick inside no matter what. What’s helped me is letting them dry out overnight, propped open with a clothespin or even just draped over a broom handle. For anything really nasty (like rodent mess), I still reach for disposables too. Sometimes it’s just not worth the risk, but for most jobs, reusables have saved me a ton of waste.

Letting gloves air out is a game changer, but I’ve found rinsing them with a mild soap before drying really helps cut down on that lingering grime, especially after working with insulation. For attic jobs, I’ll sometimes sprinkle a bit of baking soda inside to absorb moisture - works surprisingly well. I agree, for anything with rodent droppings or heavy mold, I just toss the disposables after. Not worth the risk, even if it means a bit more waste.

for anything with rodent droppings or heavy mold, I just toss the disposables after. Not worth the risk, even if it means a bit more waste.

That’s pretty much how I handle it too. No way I’m reusing gloves after crawling through an attic with mouse mess or moldy insulation. Curious though - anyone else notice reusable gloves start to break down faster after a few washes? I’ve had some pairs get stiff or lose grip, especially after using soap. Maybe it’s the type of glove? I stick to disposables for the nastier jobs, but for basic tear-offs or shingle work, the reusables last longer if you let them dry out right.

I’ve noticed the same thing with reusable gloves, especially the cheaper nitrile or latex-coated ones. After a couple of washes, they get stiff or the coating starts to crack. I think some soaps are just too harsh, or maybe it’s the hot water? I’ve switched to those thicker rubberized gloves for demo work, and they seem to hold up better if I rinse them off right after and let them air dry - definitely not tossing them in the dryer.

For attic cleanouts or anything with rodent droppings, I don’t even bother trying to salvage gloves. Not worth the health risk. But for general maintenance or yard work, reusables are fine if you’re careful with cleaning.

Has anyone tried those “cut-resistant” gloves? I’m curious if they last longer through multiple washes, or if they just end up stiff like the rest.

Cut-resistant gloves are a mixed bag in my experience. They’re great for handling sharp metal or shingles, but after a few washes, they do start to stiffen up - especially if you use hot water or strong detergent. I’ve had better luck just rinsing them off and letting them air dry, but they never feel quite the same as new. For demo work, I still stick with thicker rubberized gloves since they seem to last longer and don’t get as stiff.

“after a few washes, they do start to stiffen up - especially if you use hot water or strong detergent.”

That’s exactly what I noticed too. Do you think it’s the detergent breaking down the fibers, or just the heat? I’ve tried cold water and mild soap, but even then they get a bit crusty after a while. Anyone ever try those “machine washable” ones that claim to stay flexible? I’m skeptical... Also, for demo, do you double-glove or just stick with one thick pair? I always end up tearing through disposables way too fast.

“I’ve tried cold water and mild soap, but even then they get a bit crusty after a while.”

That’s been my experience too. Even with gentle cycles and baby detergent, most reusable gloves just don’t bounce back to their original feel. I think it’s a mix of the fibers breaking down and maybe some residue from whatever you’re working with getting trapped in the material. Once they start to stiffen, grip gets worse and you lose some dexterity - kind of defeats the purpose.

I’ve tested a couple of those “machine washable” brands that claim to stay flexible. They hold up better than the cheap ones, but after a month or two of real demo work (lots of nails, splinters, and wet insulation), they still get a bit rigid. Not as bad as standard canvas or leather gloves, but not perfect either. If you’re doing light work, maybe they last longer... but for heavy demo, I’m still searching for something that lasts.

On double-gloving: I used to layer nitrile under a thicker pair for demo days when I knew there’d be a lot of wet stuff or chemicals involved. Problem is, disposables tear fast if you’re handling rough debris, and your hands get sweaty pretty quick. Now I just go with one good pair of cut-resistant gloves and swap them out as soon as they start to wear down. It’s less wasteful than burning through boxes of disposables every week.

If you find a glove that actually stays soft after repeated washes, let me know. For now, I just accept that I’ll be replacing them every few months if I want decent hand protection and grip. The “forever glove” still feels like a myth...

If you find a glove that actually stays soft after repeated washes, let me know.

That’s the holy grail, isn’t it? I’ve been through the same cycle - buy, wash, get disappointed. For heavy demo, I haven’t found anything that doesn’t stiffen up eventually. Swapping out when they start to lose grip is just part of the deal. At least you’re not alone in the hunt for the “forever glove.” Keep at it.

Swapping out when they start to lose grip is just part of the deal.

I get that, but it still bugs me how fast some gloves go from flexible to cardboard. I’ve tried those “machine washable” coated ones - no luck, they still stiffen up after a couple rounds. For lighter work, I’ll use disposables, but for demo or yard stuff, I just accept I’ll be buying new pairs every few months. Anyone actually had luck with leather conditioners or is that just a waste of time?

Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing - those coated gloves just get stiff no matter what the label says. I’ve tried using leather conditioner on some pricier pairs, but honestly, it only helped a little and mostly just delayed the inevitable. Once they’ve soaked up sweat and dirt, it’s like they’re done for. For heavy demo, I just budget for new gloves every season. It’s frustrating, but I haven’t found a real fix yet.

I hear you on the glove struggle. I bought a “heavy-duty” pair last fall, thinking I’d finally outsmarted the universe. Fast forward to spring, and they’re basically cardboard mittens. Tried washing them, tried baby powder, even left them in the sun (which just made them smell like hot gym socks). At this point, I’m convinced gloves are like socks - destined to disappear or self-destruct.

Honestly, I’ve started grabbing those big packs of cheap coated gloves from the hardware store. They’re not fancy, but at least I don’t feel bad when they get gross or stiff after a couple weekends of yard work or demo. The reusable ones always seem to let me down after a while, no matter how much I baby them.

Maybe there’s some secret glove hack out there, but for now, I’m just chalking it up as another weird adulting expense... right up there with furnace filters and caulk.

I get where you’re coming from on the glove burnout, but I’ve actually had a bit more luck with mid-range reusable gloves - especially for stuff that’s not super grimy. Here’s what’s worked for me: after each use, I just rinse them inside and out (even if they don’t look dirty), then hang them by the cuffs in the garage so air can circulate. Not saying they last forever, but I’ve stretched some pairs through two seasons before they finally stiffened up or got holes.

It probably depends on the kind of work you’re doing too. For demo or anything really messy, yeah, the cheap coated ones are hard to beat - you don’t care when they get trashed. But for light yard work or inspections, something like nitrile-dipped fabric gloves have been a good middle ground in my experience. Not indestructible, but at least I don’t toss them every couple weekends.

Honestly, I wish there was a magic bullet for this stuff. It’s just one of those little recurring annoyances that comes with the territory... right up there with mystery stains on work pants and always being out of zip ties.

I hear you on the glove struggle. I’ve tried rinsing and hanging mine too, but sometimes they still end up smelling funky after a while - maybe it’s just our humid summers? Curious if anyone’s found a way to keep reusable gloves from getting that weird odor, or is it just inevitable? Also, do you find the nitrile-dipped ones get stiff if you leave them in the sun too long?

That glove smell drives me nuts too. I’ve tried everything - rinsing, flipping them inside out, even putting them in the freezer for a bit (someone online said it kills bacteria). Didn’t really work long-term. I think humidity is a big part of it, especially if you don’t get them bone dry before storing. I started sprinkling a little baking soda inside after use and leaving them open to air out in the laundry room. That’s helped cut down on the funk, but it’s not perfect.

About the nitrile-dipped gloves - yeah, they definitely get stiff if I leave them in direct sun. The coating seems to dry out and crack faster too. Now I just hang them in the shade or indoors near a vent. Not ideal, but better than tossing stiff gloves after a week. Honestly, I’m starting to think some odor is just part of using reusable gloves in summer unless you wash and dry them every single time... which isn’t always realistic.

I hear you on the glove funk - summer roofing just makes it worse. I’ve tried a bunch of stuff too, but honestly, nothing keeps reusable gloves totally fresh after a long, sweaty day. What’s worked best for me is turning them inside out and hanging them right over a box fan overnight. Not perfect, but better than baking soda alone. I’ve also started rotating two pairs, so one can dry out while I use the other. Disposable nitrile gloves are way less hassle for smell, but they tear so fast on shingles and tools, I end up going through a ton. Reusables last longer, but yeah, you kinda have to accept a bit of stink unless you’re washing them every single night... which, let’s be real, doesn’t always happen after a 10-hour shift.

I hear you on the glove funk - summer roofing just makes it worse. I’ve tried a bunch of stuff too, but honestly, nothing keeps reusable gloves totally fresh after a long, sweaty day.

Rotating pairs is a solid move. I’ve tried the fan trick too - definitely helps, but like you said, after a long day, washing gloves every night just isn’t realistic. I get what you mean about disposables tearing up fast on shingles. Reusables might stink, but at least they last.

- I get the appeal of reusables for cost, but honestly, I’ve had better luck with the thicker disposables (like nitrile) for short jobs. They’re not perfect, but at least I’m not dealing with that lingering sweat smell day after day.
- For bigger projects, I’ll admit, reusables do last longer, but I’ve noticed they start to break down after a few washes anyway - especially if you’re scrubbing off tar or shingle grit.
- One thing I started doing is lining my gloves with those cheap cotton inserts. They soak up a lot of the sweat and are way easier to toss in the wash than the gloves themselves. Not a total fix, but it helps.
- I’m in a pretty humid area, so maybe that’s why disposables don’t feel as bad to me. If I’m just patching a spot or doing quick repairs, I’d rather go through a couple pairs than deal with the funk.
- Just my two cents... sometimes the “lasts longer” argument for reusables doesn’t hold up if you factor in the hassle and the smell. But yeah, for heavy-duty stuff, I still keep a couple pairs around.