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...