Some people insist on cleaning with gloves, some people refuse to use them. While the stereotypical yellow latex gloves are most commonly used to clean some nastier places in the house, such as the bathroom, there are other choices, so if you’re one of the people who like to use gloves when cleaning, here are the different types; the right glove for the right job.
Latex gloves are sold throughout the country as the ultimate choice in cleaning. These thick bright yellow gloves come in three sizes, and can be slipped off fairly easily so that you can have your hands free to move stud around as you clean.
They can also cause rashes and allergic reactions, including septic shock and restricted breathing. Because of this, discontinue use if you experience any of these symptoms. It is also important to note that an allergic reaction to latex can build up over the years–where they didn’t bother you at all once upon a time, they may cause break outs all of a sudden after years of use. If you’ve never experienced a problem with them before and then suddenly develop these symptoms, the allergy can often go undiagnosed as you wouldn’t think about the cause.
Nylon gloves are thinner and lightweight. They hug the skin better and allow for a more controlled use. You can purchase these gloves in packages of three pair or more and they last for at least one good cleaning before becoming disposable. Use these gloves for cleaning areas where you need to get into hard to reach places.
Rubber gloves are the heaviest and can cause a rash if you are wearing them for an extended period of time. As they do not allow for breathing room, the sweat build up on the hands and wrists can be irritating. Use rubber gloves when working with harsh chemicals.
Another choice on the market is dusting gloves and chemically saturated cleaning gloves. These mitts have the cleaning solution already on them, and suds up when you add water. They are completely disposable and are relatively inexpensive. The dry dusting mitts often have the polishing agent for wood furniture sprayed on the gloves and you need to remove a thin protective layer to release the dusting agent.
A neat trick for preventing your hands from drying out, cracking or chapping while cleaning is to rub your hands with a light layer of Vaseline or other softening, non chapping agent, such as A&D ointment or another type of lotion used for diaper rash. This is particularly helpful if you clean for a living or are working on a long, large project.
Wash your hands well after each use of gloves, no matter what kind of material they are made from. If your gloves are not disposable, turn them inside out after each use so that they can dry out and hang them up where they will get good ventilation. This way, your cleaning gloves will last a long time between uses and will keep your skin bacteria free.