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Chemical-Resistant Gloves Guide

No single glove protects against every chemical, and the wrong one can give a false sense of safety. This guide explains how to think about glove choice and where to find the specific answer for your products.

Why can't one glove do everything?

Gloves are made from different materials, and each material resists some chemicals and fails against others. A glove that works well with one product can be quickly damaged, or allow the chemical through, with another.

That is why gloves are not a matter of picking whatever is on the shelf. The right choice depends on the specific product, how long the contact might last and what the work involves.

Thin disposable gloves, heavy reusable gloves and household gloves are all different tools, and they should not be treated as interchangeable.

Where do I find the right type for my product?

Start with the product label and the safety data sheet, which describe protective equipment for that product. The label for a pesticide is the legal source for what must be worn, so follow it exactly.

If the information is not clear, call the supplier or the manufacturer of the product, and ask the glove maker for their chemical resistance guidance. This site does not name materials or ratings, because that guidance must come from the official source for your product.

• Read the protective equipment section of the label and safety data sheet.
• Follow pesticide labels exactly, since they carry legal requirements.
• Ask the glove maker for compatibility information.

How do I check that gloves are ready to use?

Before each use, look for tears, pinholes, swelling, stiffness, discoloration and sticky or gummy areas. A glove that looks changed may already be failing.

Replace damaged gloves rather than patching them. Any glove that has been soaked through, or that has been used for a product it was not made for, should be thrown out.

Keep a spare pair near the job so that nobody is tempted to continue with a damaged glove.

How should gloves be put on and taken off?

The goal is to keep the chemical off your skin both during work and when the job is done. Contaminated outsides of gloves can transfer product to wrists, faces and door handles.

Ask your supplier or an extension educator to show you the removal method recommended for the product you use, and practice it. Wash your hands as the label directs, even if you think the gloves held up.

Never reach for your face, eyes, phone or food while wearing gloves that have touched a product.

How should I clean, store and dispose of gloves?

Cleaning, reuse and disposal rules depend on the glove and on the chemical. Some gloves are made for single use, and others can be washed, but only if the maker and the product label say so.

Store gloves clean, dry and away from sunlight, chemicals and heat, and keep them separate from household items. Disposal of contaminated gloves may be regulated, so ask your state agency or local waste authority.

Write the date a pair was first used on the cuff or in a log if you plan to reuse them, so wear is easy to track.

What other protections go with gloves?

Gloves are one part of a system. Sleeves, aprons, boots, eye protection and respiratory protection may also be needed, depending on the product, and the label says which.

Wearing gloves does not replace good habits such as avoiding splashes, keeping containers closed and washing up. It also does not make a hazardous product safe to handle without training.

Long cuffs, sleeves and boots should be worn in a way that keeps product from running into a glove, as the label directs.

What about workers and young people?

Employers should provide the gear that rules require, make sure it fits and show workers how to use it. Gloves come in different sizes, and one that is too big or too small is easy to snag or take off by accident.

Rules about what young people may do on farms are set by the U.S. Department of Labor, so confirm there before assigning chemical work. In an emergency or after any serious exposure, call 911. If you hire workers, make sure the gloves you provide are the right type and size for the job, and replace them promptly. Asking people whether the gloves are comfortable and easy to use tells you whether they are likely to be worn.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.