I get the frustration with reusable gloves, especially after a nasty job, but I’m still not fully sold on disposables for everything. I’ve had decent luck with those “chemical resistant” gloves—think they’re butyl or something?—for the worst messes. They’re not perfect, but I just toss them in a bucket with some vinegar and let them air out on the fence. Maybe it’s just beginner’s luck, but they don’t seem as gross as the old yellow kitchen gloves. I do worry about all the trash from disposables piling up, though... Feels like a trade-off either way.
They’re not perfect, but I just toss them in a bucket with some vinegar and let them air out on the fence.
I hear you on the “trade-off.” I’ve tried those thick chemical gloves too, and they definitely handle the ugly stuff better than the thin yellow ones. Ever have issues with them getting stiff or cracking over time, even after cleaning? I’m always torn between saving money and just wanting something that feels clean after a gross job.
Ever have issues with them getting stiff or cracking over time, even after cleaning? I’m always torn between saving money and just wanting something that feels clean after a gross job.
That’s the story of my life every spring after the first big storm rolls through. I’ve got a graveyard of old gloves in the shed—some so stiff you could use them as doorstops. I’ve tried the vinegar soak, the baking soda trick, even left a pair out in the rain once (not on purpose, but hey, science). No matter what, those thick chemical gloves always seem to get that weird crunchy texture after a while. It’s like they’re aging faster than I am.
I get what you mean about wanting something that actually *feels* clean. After dealing with flood muck or insulation gunk, sometimes I just want to torch the gloves and start fresh. But then I remember how much those heavy-duty ones cost... and suddenly I’m back to scrubbing them with dish soap and hoping for the best.
The disposable ones are tempting for nasty jobs—especially when you’re elbow-deep in who-knows-what under a crawlspace. But then you go through a box in a weekend and start feeling guilty about all that waste (and your wallet). Plus, they never fit right for me. Either too tight or they rip as soon as I try to pull them over my knuckles.
Honestly, it’s always a trade-off. For stuff like tar or oil cleanup after a storm, I’ll use the thick gloves and just accept they’ll get trashed eventually. For lighter work, I’ll grab disposables and double up if it’s really gross. Never found the perfect solution—just a lot of “good enough for now” moments.
If anyone ever invents gloves that stay soft, don’t smell like last year’s compost pile, *and* don’t cost an arm and a leg... sign me up. Until then, it’s vinegar buckets and crossed fingers around here.
You’re definitely not alone with the glove graveyard. I’ve got a milk crate full of “retired” pairs that are basically just for show at this point. I keep thinking I’ll find a trick to bring them back, but like you said, they always end up stiff or smelling weird no matter what I try. The vinegar soak helps a little, but never really gets them back to normal.
I hear you on the cost, too. Those heavy-duty gloves aren’t cheap, and it feels wasteful tossing them after just a few nasty jobs. But I’ve also burned through boxes of disposables in a weekend and felt just as bad about the waste (and the fit—why are they always so tight in the fingers?).
Honestly, I think you’ve got the right idea—just do what works for the job and don’t stress too much about finding the “perfect” glove. Sometimes good enough is all we get. At least we’re not alone in the struggle...