5 Ways to Make Dishwashing Gloves More Comfortable and Even Better

A few months ago, I posted about my recent conversion to wearing dish gloves, after never really wearing them. I’ll have you all know that I’m still wearing the same pair of gloves just about every time I wash the dishes. In fact, I’m worried that I’ve become one of those people with an aversion to touching sponges, because I’ve become that attached to my gloves. A true convert!

Read more: 5 Surprising Things I Learned from Washing Dishes with Gloves for a Week

Even more interesting than my growing love for gloves? The lively conversation in the comments on that story. There were a few of you who were surprised I’d never used them before, and others who thought the particular gloves I like are overpriced (that’s okay, I like them!). But many of you shared tips with each other for making dishwashing gloves more comfortable and longer lasting, so I wanted to highlight them for you here.

One reader commented that gloves make her hands sweaty, which makes the gloves gross over time. Another reader suggested the solution: She flips them inside out when she takes them off and hangs them up with a clip. Another reader suggested buying flock-lined gloves and dusting hands with a bit of baby powder before putting them on to absorb the sweat.

On the opposite side, a reader with dry hands says she puts lotion on her hands before using the gloves, and the heat from the hot water helps her skin absorb the lotion as she works. Many readers commented that using gloves helps with eczema, psoriasis, and general dry hands by limiting exposure to hot water and soap.

A few readers complained that they don’t like the smell of rubber gloves. The solution, from our readers, is to use latex-free gloves, allow them to dry fully between uses, and to trade them out periodically.

A couple people complained about having trouble finding large-enough gloves at the supermarkets, which often carry small and medium sizes that aren’t big enough for larger women or men. A solution: Look for purple surgical gloves instead, which readers say fit better, or try the cleaning or paint sections of the hardware store instead of the grocery store.

While most glove-wearers already know this, it’s a good reminder for novices: Use one set of gloves for cleaning dishes and another for general housecleaning. Get different pairs in different colors if you have to. This keeps germs from other parts of the home and non-food-safe chemicals off of your dishes. One reader suggested using a pair of gloves for dishwashing first, then cycling them to use for house cleaning once they get past their prime.

Thank you, readers, for sharing your knowledge with us! Did we miss anything?