I hear you on the liners—mine always end up halfway off my fingers and drive me nuts. I’ve tried washing reusable gloves with vinegar, but that only buys you a little time before the swamp stench returns. For me, it’s nitrile disposables for the grossest jobs, and fabric ones for everything else. Not perfect, but at least my hands don’t smell like a science experiment gone wrong.
I get the appeal of disposables for nasty jobs, but honestly, I’ve had more luck with heavy-duty reusable rubber gloves—like the thick kind you find at hardware stores, not the flimsy kitchen ones. Here’s what I do: after each use, I turn them inside out, rinse with hot water and a bit of dish soap, then let them dry completely (sometimes overnight on a bottle or broom handle). Haven’t had much stink since. Disposables are convenient, but I go through way fewer gloves this way and don’t have to worry about tearing mid-job. Just my two cents...
I’m with you on the heavy-duty reusable gloves. Those thick rubber ones from the hardware store are a whole different animal compared to the thin kitchen types. I’ve had the same pair for almost two years now—just keep them clean and dry like you said, and they hold up. I do something similar with drying, but I’ll admit I’ve gotten lazy and just hang them over the faucet sometimes. Not as effective, but it works in a pinch.
“Disposables are convenient, but I go through way fewer gloves this way and don’t have to worry about tearing mid-job.”
That’s a big one for me. I’ve had disposable nitrile gloves rip right when I’m elbow-deep in something gross, and then you’re stuck with a mess on your hands (literally). The only time I really reach for disposables now is if I’m dealing with something like insulation or paint remover—stuff that’s hard to get out of rubber or might damage them. Otherwise, the reusables are just sturdier and more comfortable for longer jobs.
One thing I’ve noticed, though: if you’re working in colder weather or outside after a storm, those thick gloves can get pretty stiff. Not sure if anyone’s found a good workaround for that. Sometimes I’ll wear a thin cotton liner underneath, which helps a bit with warmth and sweat.
Curious if anyone’s tried those hybrid gloves—like the ones with a rubber coating but fabric backs? I see them at the hardware store but haven’t given them a shot yet. Wondering if they’re any good for wet or messy jobs, or if they just end up soaking through.
Anyway, totally agree that reusables save money and hassle in the long run. Just gotta remember to actually clean them... which is easier said than done when you’re tired after a long day.
Those hybrid gloves with the rubber palm and fabric back are actually pretty decent for roofing, especially when you need grip but still want your hands to breathe. They’re not totally waterproof, though—if you’re dealing with standing water or mud, they’ll soak through eventually. For cold weather, I’ve tried slipping nitrile disposables under my thick gloves, but it’s a bit awkward. Anyone else notice that the heavy-duty ones get slick if you don’t dry them out right? I’ve had a couple near drops on wet shingles because of that...
I get the appeal of those hybrid gloves, but honestly, I’ve just stuck with the cheap cotton work gloves from the hardware store. They’re not fancy, but if they get trashed or soaked, I don’t feel bad tossing them.
That’s been my experience too. For grip, I just keep a few pairs handy and swap out when one gets wet. Not perfect, but it’s saved me a bit of cash over time. The disposables under thick gloves thing never worked for me—just felt clumsy and sweaty. Maybe I’m just old school, but sometimes simple is better (and cheaper).“if you’re dealing with standing water or mud, they’ll soak through eventually.”
