The Best Cleaning Gloves

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber
Published on
February 26th, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Ben has over a decade of experience in cleaning projects of all types along the entire eastern seaboard of the United States. Ben’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician), WRT (Water restoration technician), CCT (Carpet Cleaning technician), as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Ben has managed teams involved in cleaning projects around the United States. Ben’s passion for cleaning and leading teams goes back as far as he can remember.

The Cleaning Institute

Cleaning gloves aren’t always the most talked about items when it comes to household chores, but among the people who use them, everyone has a favorite. However, it’s good to revisit what makes a few products stand out every once in a while. After all, we put our cleaning gloves through a lot! We have years of experience analyzing, testing and evaluating different cleaning products. From washing dishes in the hottest tap water we can get to scrubbing kitchens and bathrooms with caustic, corrosive or acidic cleaning products, we put a lot of faith into that thin layer of plastic protecting our hands. Given those conditions, we asked our testers to review an array of cleaning gloves and here are their top picks. The hands-down favorite is the Playtex Living Reusable Rubber Cleaning Gloves for design and durability, followed by Mr. Clean Bliss Premium Latex-Free Gloves with honorable mention for its latex-free formula and comfortable fit.

Testing Categories

Construction – There’s a fine line between cleaning gloves that are thick enough to protect skin from irritants and hot water, and thin enough to ensure you can feel the tactile sensations necessary for safety and practicality. Our testers wore these cleaning gloves and tried everything from using washcloths to spray bottles, mops to paint rollers, sponges, scrapers, and scissors. In addition, the sleeves of an effective cleaning glove need to be long enough to really protect our skin and clothes. Longer gloves can provide additional reach, and when folded back, catch dripping water or other substances to avoid injury or staining.

Fit – Because we wear cleaning gloves for so many projects around the house and yard, it’s important that they’re comfortable. Aside from the size, the cut of the gloves matters, too. They need to be roomy enough for our hands to move easily but snug enough for us to maintain our grip during washing, rinsing, scrubbing, wiping, and more. Our testers considered whether the fingers of the gloves were long enough or too long, whether the width of the fingers was sufficient, and whether the glove tapered from hand to wrist with enough room for a normal range of motion.

Durability – A good pair of cleaning gloves will stand up to frequent use without a rapid decline in quality or performance. They’ll also be effective in a variety of cleaning scenarios, from simple dishwashing to more strident tasks like scrubbing tile and grout, cleaning an oven, or wiping down lawn furniture. Many of us probably hang onto our cleaning gloves for too long, and that risks a breakdown of the plastic. Gloves used for an extended period of time or stored improperly can also become a haven for mold and mildew. Small holes or tears can allow leaks of hot water or cleaning chemicals, the very things cleaning gloves are worn to avoid

Top Pick

Playtex Living
Reusable Rubber
Cleaning Gloves

This durable three-pack of lined Playtex Living Reusable Rubber Cleaning Gloves preserves & protects skin from ordinary cleaning problems, like hot water, drying soap, and strong chemicals.

Price Check

The special foldable cuff of the Playtex Living Reusable Rubber Cleaning Gloves makes these cleaning glove stand out from the others. When needed, get the extra coverage of a longer glove or fold the ends to protect your skin and clothes from water or cleaning chemicals running down your hand. The fingertips and palm of the gloves are lightly textured to retain dexterity and provide adequate grip when handling wet or slippery items. The latex/neoprene/nitrile construction is designed to protect hands from temperature and chemical exposure, while the soft lining ensures comfort and dryness, too. In addition, that soft lining is mold- and mildew-resistant to keep the gloves cleaner and fresher longer. Our testers tried out these gloves while carrying out inside and outside activities. They held up to multiple uses as well as ordinary risk factors for splits, holes, and punctures such as doing dishes without damage. Among the ones our testers tried, these had the longest sleeve. A three-pack is practical and budget-friendly; testers said they enjoyed being able to have dedicated pairs for dishwashing and household cleaning instead of relying on a single pair to do both.

Most notable upside: Ultra-Fresh Antimicrobial Protection helps keep gloves fresher and cleaner longer.

Biggest downsides: The cut of the gloves isn’t a good fit for everyone, and some may feel they’re too tight or too loose in certain places.

5/5
Construction
5/5
Fit
5/5
Durability

Bottom Line: The extra-length on the sleeve of these cleaning gloves is a stand-out feature. There are some issues with the cut but overall, these are reliable and well-made gloves for ordinary household tasks.

Honorable Mention

Mr. Clean
Bliss Premium
Latex-Free Gloves

These latex-free gloves are ideal for those with skin sensitivity. Mr. Clean Bliss Premium gloves are sturdy and effective, shielding hands from harsh chemicals, soiled surfaces, and hot water.

Price Check

The high-quality material of the Mr. Clean Bliss Premium Latex-Free Gloves earned it an honorable mention, although more than a few testers remarked that the sleeves of the gloves felt shorter than they would have liked. To fold them in order to catch dripping water or detergents would have made them too short, in most cases.The textured palm-side of the gloves ensured a reasonable grip in wet conditions. A cotton lining makes them easy to pull on and off, and the latex-free and phthalate-free formula reduces the chances of a skin irritation among those susceptible. These gloves are thick enough to resist the ordinary punctures from things like dishes and outdoor cleaning. No one reported a plasticky or rubbery smell after using them, as sometimes happens with other brands. A few testers said they wished these came in a multi-pack instead of being sold as one pair. Nearly everyone who tested these remarked at how comfortable they were to wear, especially when performing lengthy chores.

Most notable upside: The latex- and phthalate-free construction is good for allergy-sufferers.

Biggest downsides: The gloves are white and with repeated use, prone to showing stains.

5/5
Construction
5/5
Fit
4/5
Durability

Bottom Line: These cleaning gloves are a little short but make up for it with their thickness and durability. While they are white and do stain easily, they stand up to typical household chores and provide a comfortable fit.

Green Pick

Biodegradable Natural Rubber Gloves

The HandCare Biodegradable Natural Rubber Latex Gloves are an eco-friendly product that is ideal for house cleaning, kitty litter, and preparing raw foods. The product is durable and can be composted.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The HandCare Biodegradable Natural Rubber Latex Gloves are available in a medium size for adults and fit comfortably. They offer a secure fit to prevent liquid or debris from entering the gloves without feeling too restrictive or tight. The eco-friendly latex gloves prove to be durable and versatile because they can be worn when performing different types of projects inside the home or outdoors. They’re ideal to use when handling kitty litter, performing yard clean-up projects, preparing raw foods, gardening, cleaning the bath, and scrubbing surfaces in the kitchen. The natural material ensures that they can be composted once they’ve been used to reduce waste and avoid contributing to waste in landfills. The box that the latex gloves are packed in is easy to use and is compact to ensure that they can be stored under the sink or in a cabinet where they’re easy to access. 50 rubber latex gloves are included in each box and some of the gloves can even be reused due to their durability.

Biggest downsides: The latex gloves can cause an allergic reaction for those who are sensitive to the material. The product may be too small for some individuals, which can lead to tearing of the latex. The item is not as durable compared to similar rubber gloves that are available on the market.

All Our Picks

Tips for Effective General Cleaning

Cleaning is easiest when it’s done regularly. Heavy duty jobs in particular may not be so bad when incorporated into a routine. Planning out cleaning jobs in advance allows you the chance to gather the necessary supplies and anticipate any problems or concerns that may come up before finding yourself in the middle of a project and in need of a particular item. Regular cleaning also reduces the amount of dirt that builds up in-between cleanings, making the chore go faster than if you let a long period of time go by.

Using the right products for the job can expedite the cleaning process. Select the cleaning agent best suited to the task at hand, whether you’re washing glassware or scrubbing soap scum from shower tile. Be sure to read the labels on kitchen and bathroom cleaners in particular. Some items are clearly labeled against being used with other products to avoid harmful fumes or reactions; others indicate that the area being cleaned should also be well-ventilated, for example. Chemical cleaning products in particular can affect the integrity of your cleaning gloves so it may be wise to consider having multiple pairs, like one for dishwashing and one for cleaning the bathroom.

In general, cleaning a room is most efficient when done top-to-bottom. Start at the highest point in the room; as you clean, any drifting or spattered dust, dirt, grime, soapy water or cleaning detergents will descend and be washed away in the final step: mopping the floor. Follow cleaning product label instructions for usage, and allow yourself enough time to complete the job thoroughly; a rushed cleaning job may leave a lot of dirt and grime behind, making the next round of cleaning even harder. Change bucket water regularly, and consider using a 2-bucket method, one for dirty water and one for clean rinsing water.

A Note About Safety and Storage

While cleaning gloves themselves aren’t inherently dangerous, it’s a good idea to keep them away from small children and babies. In addition, they should be kept out of reach of anyone with a latex allergy unless you’re sure they’re latex-free. Always read the directions and warnings on cleaning supplies to ensure that you’re using the right kind of cleaning gloves to protect yourself; some cleaning agents require special gloves for safety. And sometimes, with repeated use, some cleaning agents can speed up the deterioration of the rubber or other material.

When finished using them, make sure the gloves are clean before hanging them up to dry. Examine them carefully for damage or other signs that they’re not in good shape for continued use. Keep them out of direct sunlight, which can degrade the material and make it gummy. If you notice that the cleaning gloves have begun to show signs of mold or mildew, it’s time to discard them and use a new pair; mold and mildew can present serious health and safety risks, especially to people who may be sensitive to them. There’s no prescribed length of time for cleaning gloves to be used, and so they may last longer for some people than others, and a lot of it will depend on what kind of cleaning they’re used for. People who use cleaning gloves only for dishwashing may have them last longer than people who use them for cleaning the bathroom or scrubbing lawn furniture. When gloves show signs of pitting, staining, small holes or discoloration, or if they begin to feel uncomfortable for any reason, consider replacing them.

The Best Cleaning Gloves

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Playtex Living
Reusable Rubber
Cleaning Gloves

Construction

Fit

Durability

Mr. Clean
Bliss Premium
Latex-Free Gloves

Construction

Fit

Durability

Biodegradable Natural Rubber Gloves

All Our Picks

Playtex Living
Reusable Rubber
Cleaning Gloves

Mr. Clean
Bliss Premium
Latex-Free Gloves

Biodegradable Natural Rubber Gloves

Tips for Effective General Cleaning

A Note About Safety and Storage

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

The Best Cleaning Gloves

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Playtex LivingReusable Rubber Cleaning Gloves

Construction

Fit

Durability

Mr. CleanBliss Premium Latex-Free Gloves

Construction

Fit

Durability

Biodegradable Natural Rubber Gloves

All Our Picks

Playtex LivingReusable Rubber Cleaning Gloves

Mr. CleanBliss Premium Latex-Free Gloves

Biodegradable Natural Rubber Gloves

Tips for Effective General Cleaning

A Note About Safety and Storage

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Playtex Living
Reusable Rubber
Cleaning Gloves

Mr. Clean
Bliss Premium
Latex-Free Gloves

Playtex Living
Reusable Rubber
Cleaning Gloves

Mr. Clean
Bliss Premium
Latex-Free Gloves