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.