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Eye and hand protection: disposable vs. reusable gear?

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6 posts

I hear you on the mold and chemical exposure - some stuff just doesn’t wash out, no matter how careful you are. I’ve run into that with crawlspace inspections, especially after dealing with black mold. Even after a hot wash, those gloves never quite feel “clean” again. Out of curiosity, has anyone tried using those heavy-duty reusable gloves with removable liners? Wondering if swapping out the liners helps with the rash issue or if it’s just another thing to clean...


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ajohnson58
12 posts

I’ve tried those gloves with the removable liners, and honestly, it’s a mixed bag. Swapping out the liners does help with the rash - at least for me - but then you’re stuck washing the liners instead of the whole glove. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just trading one hassle for another. The gloves themselves still seem to hold onto that “funk” after a few moldy jobs, no matter how much I scrub. Disposable ones are easier, but I hate tossing so many in the trash... tough call.


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anime127
18 posts

I hear you on the liners - it’s a bit of a trade-off. I’ve been through a few storm cleanups where reusable gloves with liners were the only thing that kept my hands from breaking out, but yeah, after a couple days in the muck, nothing really gets rid of that odor. I’ve tried soaking them in vinegar and running them through the wash, but there’s always a bit of “swamp” left behind. Disposables are simple, but I feel guilty about the waste too. Sometimes I just rotate between a couple pairs and accept that one set’s gonna end up trashed after a big job.


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4 posts

That “swamp” smell is the worst, isn’t it? I’ve tried everything from baking soda to leaving gloves out in the sun for days, but once it’s in there, it’s like the funk is permanent. I totally get the guilt with disposables - feels wasteful, especially when you’re going through a bunch after a big cleanup.

What’s worked for me (sort of) is buying those cheap cotton glove liners in bulk and swapping them out more often than the outer gloves. The liners catch most of the sweat and grime, and they’re way easier to wash or even toss if they get too gross. For the rubber outers, I’ll rinse them right after use, then hang them up inside-out to dry. Doesn’t fix everything, but it helps a bit with the smell.

Honestly, I just budget for a couple new pairs each year and accept that some are gonna get trashed after heavy jobs. It’s not perfect, but it beats having my hands break out or using up a mountain of disposables.


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5 posts

- 100% agree on the “swamp” smell - once it’s in there, it’s like the gloves are haunted.
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“I totally get the guilt with disposables - feels wasteful, especially when you’re going through a bunch after a big cleanup.”

Same here. I hate tossing them, but sometimes it feels like the only way to avoid that gross feeling.

- Tried liners too, but I always end up with them bunched up inside the glove or sliding around. Maybe I’m buying the wrong size?
- Sun-drying helps a little, but honestly, if I forget even once and leave them balled up, it’s game over.

- I’ve started using those nitrile-coated fabric gloves for yard work and most dirty jobs. They’re not perfect for wet stuff, but they breathe better and don’t get as nasty as full rubber.

- For heavy-duty cleaning (like gutters or drains), I just accept I’ll need a new pair after. Not worth risking skin irritation or that lingering stink.

- Still feel weird about all the waste, but my hands are happier. Maybe there’s no real “perfect” solution - just trade-offs depending on what you’re doing.


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