If you’re like me, you wear gardening gloves all the time. They protect your hands from getting dirty, and they keep your hands from getting scratched up. But no matter how careful you are, your gardening gloves always seem to get dirty and smelly. This blog post will discuss how to clean gardening gloves quickly and easily. We will also share some tips for making them last longer!
Why You Should Clean Your Gardening Gloves
If you’re wondering if you should clean your gardening gloves, the answer is YES! But unfortunately, dirty gardening gloves can lead to all sorts of problems, including:
Infections: If your gardening gloves are dirty, they could contain all sorts of bacteria and fungus. Having bacteria and fungus on your hands could lead to skin infections and other health problems.
Allergies: If you’re allergic to dust or pollen, those allergens will be much worse when you’re wearing dirty gardening gloves.
Smelly Gloves: Not only are dirty gloves unsightly, but they also tend to smell bad. Yuck, you don’t want smelly gloves touching your hands for hours on end.
Hopefully, I’ve clarified why you should clean your gardening gloves. So, how do you clean them?
How to Clean Your Gardening Gloves
Let’s go over how you can clean your gardening gloves quickly and easily. Here are the steps:
- Remove the gloves and shake them off. Shaking the gloves will get rid of some of the dirt and debris. Reall shake and ruffle them, though; you want to try and dislodge everything from the gloves.
- Fill a bowl with warm water. Add in a bit of dish soap.
- Please put on your gloves and scrub them together under soapy water. Putting on the gloves and putting your hands underwater will help the soap penetrate all dirt and grime.
- Rinse off your gloves under clean running water and let them air dry.
Another method that you can try is to fill a small bucket with hot soapy water and then place your gloves in the bucket. Let them soak for a while, then scrub them with a brush. Use a soft bristle brush to avoid damaging the gloves.
Once you’ve washed and scrubbed the gloves, make sure to rinse them off well and let them air dry.
After cleaning your gardening gloves, it may be a good idea to treat them with some spray-on silicone. Silicone spray will help repel water and dirt, and it will also help keep the gloves soft.
Can Nitrile Coated Gloves Be Washed?
A popular style of gardening gloves has the palm and fingers coated in nitrile. Nitrile is a synthetic rubber resistant to oil, grease, and many chemicals. So, can nitrile gloves be washed?
Yes, nitrile gloves can be washed. However, you should avoid using harsh chemicals or solvents when cleaning them. Instead, use a mild hot soapy water mixture.
The process for cleaning nitrile gloves is the same as described above. However, to keep in mind, nitrile gloves can lose their water resistance over time. The more the nitrile is flexed and moved around, the more it will harden. If you notice that your gloves are becoming harder, this may be a sign to replace them.
As the nitrile breaks down, you may notice that the gloves will start to absorb water. If this happens, it is best to discontinue using them and replace them with a fresh pair.
How Do You Clean Suede Gardening Gloves
Another popular gardening glove material is suede. Suede gloves are pretty breathable and comfortable to wear. So, how do you clean suede gardening gloves? Let’s dive in.
Suede gloves can be cleaned using the same method as described above. However, you may want to avoid putting suede in water for an extended period. Suede gloves sitting in water can cause the material to shrink and lose its shape.
If your suede gloves get wet, you can try to dry them using a blow dryer. Using a blow dryer can help them retain their shape, but only use low heat to avoid damaging the material. Using a blow dryer can help them maintain their shape, but only use low heat to avoid damaging the fabric.
How Do You Disinfect Garden Gloves
There are multiple reasons why you would want to disinfect your gardening gloves. First, the Coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19 have made disinfecting everything a top priority.
The first step in disinfecting your gardening gloves is to clean them. You can use the same process described above, but make sure to remove all dirt and debris before disinfecting. Again, I need to stress that the gloves need to be as clean as possible before starting.
Disinfectants are designed to kill germs and viruses on surfaces. However, some types of gloves have porous materials that allow the disinfectant solution to soak in. If it soaks into the fabric, it will limit the disinfectant’s effectiveness.
Once you have cleaned your gloves, they can then be disinfected using two methods described below.
Method One: A bleach solution is an effective way to disinfect gardening gloves. Before starting, make sure that you wear protective equipment such as a face mask and safety glasses. Bleach solutions can cause severe damage to your eyes and respiratory system.
Mix one part bleach with nine parts water to make the bleach solution. Soak the gloves in the solution for about five minutes, then rinse them off well. Let them air dry.
Method Two: Another way to disinfect gardening gloves is by using a hydrogen peroxide mixture. This method is also safe to use around your eyes and respiratory system.
Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with three parts water to make the hydrogen peroxide mixture. Soak the gloves in the solution for about five minutes, then rinse them off well. Let them air dry.
By disinfecting your gloves using those methods, you ensure that any harmful bacteria or viruses are killed. In addition, doing so will help prevent you from getting sick and keep your gardening gloves in good condition.
Tips for Keeping Your Gardening Gloves Clean and In Good Condition
Lastly, let’s talk about general maintenance and care for your gardening gloves. First, of course, you want to make sure that they last as long as possible. So here are some tips and tricks for keeping your gardening gloves lasting as long as possible:
- Keep a box or container in the garage or shed where you store your garden tools. When you’re done using them, please put them in there not to get misplaced. This will help keep them organized and easy to find when needed next time.
- Avoid leaving your gloves in the sun or the direct heat. The UV rays from the sun can damage and fade the color of your gloves over time. In addition, heat can make the material brittle and more likely to tear. The UV rays will break down the fibers of the gloves over time and will frustrate when a finger pokes through your glove!
- Suppose you get sweaty while gardening, take a break, and let your gloves dry out. Sweat can cause the gloves to become stinky and make them more susceptible to bacteria growth.
- Wash your gloves after each use. Washing your gardening gloves is a good practice to have. When I say clean your gloves, it could be as easy as hosing them down with your hose after using them. The idea is not to let them stay dirty.
- If possible, air-dry your gloves rather than putting them in your dryer at home. The dryer can ruin the gloves, and they may not last as long.
Hopefully, this guide helps you keep your gardening gloves clean and in good condition so that they last a long time! Happy Gardening!
Conclusion
Cleaning your gardening gloves is essential in ensuring that they last as long as possible. In this article, we’ve outlined two methods for disinfecting your gloves- a bleach solution and a hydrogen peroxide mixture.
We’ve also provided some tips on keeping them clean and in good condition. By following these simple steps, you can protect yourself from harmful bacteria and viruses and keep your gloves looking new longer!