Gardening gloves are essential accessories for gardening.
Gardening gloves are made out of different materials such as Cotton, Latex, Leather, Nitrile, and PVC coats.
How long do gardening gloves last? Ideally most gardening gloves will last for a year before you need to replace them. This is taking into consideration the fact that you handle them properly and make sure they are stored properly
All these types of gloves either men’s gardening gloves, female gardening gloves or kids gardening gloves are all made out of one of these materials and as such each of the material used to make them is what determines how long the gloves will last as well as how it’s being managed and kept by the gardener.
Let’s take a look at each of these gardening gloves, how long they last and why each of them might suffer wear or tear.
The main types of gardening gloves are;
- Cotton gloves: These are made out of cotton and although not the most durable they are the easiest and best to clean as they are machine washable.
- Latex gardening gloves: These are made out of rubber and good for picking grasses and shrubs off the earth.
- Leather gardening gloves: These are made out of goat or cow skin and are the best for protecting the hands of the gardener from punctures from thorns and the likes as well as insect bites.
- Nitrile: This is a good chemical-resistant glove used to prevent burns or blisters to unprotected hands.
- PVC: These are the best for a muddy and moist situation in the garden as they are made from waterproof materials.
How long do these gloves last?
Manufacturers of gloves usually do not stipulate the expiring dates of these products.
Estimates of the duration, date, and time of these gardening gloves are pretty much derived from the reviews and stories of gardeners who make use of these gardening gloves in their gardens.
The reviews and stories of their use of gardening gloves vary from product to product as well as the type and material of gardening gloves used.
There is no saying per se how long your gardening gloves can last as it depends on how you make use of them and how you manage and maintain them over time.
However, I will say it should not last for more than a year.
Also, bear in mind that since bacteria and germs can get to your gloves from the garden, it is best to make sure you clean them regularly and dispose of them after a while for better health safety.
How do I know when my gloves are deteriorating?
The physical condition of your gloves will be most telling when it begins to show wear and tears as a result of punctures from thorns as well as holes, scratches, and cracks due to being waterlogged over time.
You can also know that your gloves are deteriorating when it begins to show signs of discoloration.
These are the main signs to know you need to change your gloves and they can no longer protect you efficiently.
Another reason why gardeners tend to rid themselves of their gloves early is that they might shrink in size after using it for a long time. Also washing and exposing it to too much sunlight or heat makes the glove not to be a good fit again.
Most gardeners like to maintain a glove that fits their hands and that’s comfortable for them.
There is also the fact that due to the material used certain gloves especially those made of latex and Nitrile tend to change color which might not be as fashionable for most gardeners anymore.
Women and Children gardeners in particular like their gardening gloves to be colorful and exciting hence it becomes less desirable to them when their gloves become pale in outlook or look washed up.
Also, by feeling the fabric of the glove to see if it’s still compact and not slack is another sure way to know if you need to get new one.
You can also stretch them to see if it returns to its primary state afterward as a way of seeing if the gloves are still very durable.
Related: Here is an article I wrote on what are gardening gloves used for?
How to properly store your gloves to avoid quick disposal
For your latex and Nitrile gloves you should;
- Keep them away from places that produce a lot of heat and radiation.
- Keep them away from your florescent bulbs and other types of lighting and ozone
- Store them in a cool, dark, and dry place
- Keep them in their original container for as long as possible
- Wash and fold inside out after washing for sun drying
For leather and cotton gloves you should;
- Wash and clean after use regularly.
- If you make use of the washer use the required temperature prescribed by the manufacturer.
- Alternatively using a dampened cloth to wipe off the dirt of the leather is better than drenching your leather made glove in water. This should be avoided at all cost.
- Make sure to air dry gloves either with a blower before you store them.
- It’s best to hang your leather and cotton gloves on a wooden hanger, not an iron one as the moisture on it over time might allow the iron to rust and leave such particles on the glove which will damage it over time.
Conclusion
Gardening gloves are probably most durable for a year once you begin to make use of them.
This is because most of the conditions required to make them last longer might be quite difficult to keep up with over a longer period.
It’s easier to buy newer ones and replace the old broken and worn out ones as they are usually not so expensive.
However, if you want to persist with the gloves you have beyond what would be the normal period which in our opinion is at best a year you should adhere to the tips and advice given above on how to manage and store your gardening glove.
Also, a very good way to make sure you use your gardening gloves for a long time is to use the right gardening gloves for the right occasions.
Use leather gloves with heavy or sharp tools, not latex or nitrile. However, you can use latex or nitrile as well as PVC gloves in wet conditions as these are better with moisture and are more durable and suitable to that effect.
These are the best tips we recommend to both Men, Women, and Kid gardeners out there.
Feel free to leave a comment below on what you would like to add to this topic.
