I totally get what you’re saying about the sweat smell—my reusables have definitely gotten funky after a few summer projects. I’ve tried the cotton liners too, but then I wonder if I’m just adding more laundry to the pile. Has anyone found a reusable glove that actually holds up after multiple washes, especially if you’re dealing with stuff like roofing tar? Or is it just a lost cause in humid climates? I keep thinking disposables are wasteful, but sometimes they just make life easier...
I hear you on the laundry pile—those cotton liners seem like a good idea until you’re staring at another load of sweaty gear. I’ve been through a bunch of different reusable gloves, especially when I’m crawling around attics or dealing with old roofing materials. Honestly, once tar or heavy adhesives get into the fabric, it’s tough to get them truly clean again, even with the best washing tricks. I’ve tried soaking in vinegar and baking soda, but after a few rounds, the funk just lingers.
In humid weather, it’s even worse. Sometimes I’ll rotate two or three pairs so they have a chance to dry out between uses, but that’s not always practical if you’re working every day. For really nasty jobs—like roofing tar—I usually cave and use disposables, just because it’s not worth ruining another set of gloves. It feels wasteful, but sometimes you’ve got to pick your battles.
If you do stick with reusables, maybe try those nitrile-coated ones—they seem to hold up a bit better and don’t absorb as much sweat or grime. Still, nothing’s perfect, especially in muggy weather. Just gotta do what works for you and not feel too guilty about it.
For really nasty jobs—like roofing tar—I usually cave and use disposables, just because it’s not worth ruining another set of gloves. It feels wasteful, but sometimes you’ve got to pick your battles.
That’s honestly the same conclusion I keep landing on. I’ve tried to be all-in on reusables, but after a couple weeks of attic work in July, those gloves just never smell right again, no matter what I soak them in. Even tried freezing them once (someone swore by it for killing odors), but nope—just ended up with cold, funky gloves.
Nitrile-coated ones are definitely better for sweat, but once you get tar or that black mastic stuff on there, it’s game over. I do wonder if anyone’s found a cleaner that actually breaks down roofing adhesives without wrecking the glove material? Haven’t had much luck so far.
It’s tough to balance the waste thing with just getting through a long day without feeling gross. Honestly, rotating pairs like you said is probably the best compromise, but even then, muggy weather just makes everything harder. No shame in grabbing disposables when you need to—sometimes you’ve just gotta get the job done and move on.
- Totally get the struggle with reusable gloves and attic work—mine always end up smelling like a mix of gym socks and burnt plastic after a week in the summer.
- Tried every trick I’ve heard: vinegar soak, baking soda, even left them out in the sun for days. Still funky.
- For tar and adhesives, I’ve had some luck with citrus-based cleaners, but they tend to eat through the glove coating if you’re not careful. Not sure anything really gets that black mastic out without wrecking the material.
- Disposables feel wasteful, but sometimes it’s just not worth fighting a losing battle. I’ll double-glove if it’s really nasty—nitrile under cheap cotton, then toss the outer layer when it gets gross.
- Rotating pairs helps a bit, but in muggy weather, everything just ends up soggy anyway.
- Honestly, I’d rather burn through a box of disposables than deal with that lingering tar smell on my hands for days. Maybe not eco-friendly, but sanity counts for something...
Honestly, I’d rather burn through a box of disposables than deal with that lingering tar smell on my hands for days. Maybe not eco-friendly, but sanity counts for something...
That’s pretty much where I landed after years of trying to “do the right thing” with reusable gloves. I used to have this one pair of thick rubber gloves I’d break out for attic insulation or crawlspace stuff. No matter what I did—inside out, baking soda, even tried that fancy glove deodorizer spray—they’d still end up smelling like a swamp mixed with melted plastic. My wife banned them from the laundry room after the second summer.
I get the guilt about disposables, but after scraping black mastic off old ductwork last year, I just gave up. That stuff is relentless. I tried the citrus cleaner trick too, and yeah, it softened the gloves so much they tore right at the fingertips. Ended up with sticky hands anyway.
The double-glove method you mentioned is a lifesaver for the really nasty jobs. I’ll do nitrile under those cheap jersey gloves from the hardware store. Once the outer layer gets gross, off it goes, and at least my hands aren’t trashed. Still feels a bit wasteful, but honestly, I’d rather toss a couple pairs than spend half an hour scrubbing tar out from under my nails.
Humidity just makes everything worse. I’m in the southeast, so by July, even the “breathable” gloves are soaked through in minutes. Tried rotating pairs and hanging them up in the garage, but they never really dry out—just get mustier.
I still keep a couple pairs of heavy-duty reusables for yard work or stuff that isn’t so grimy, but for attic or crawlspace jobs? Disposables all the way. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles.