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Chemical-Resistant Gloves

A glove that works well with one product can fail quickly against another. Choosing and using chemical-resistant gloves starts with the product label and the safety data sheet, not with whatever pair happens to be in the shop.

Why does the glove material matter?

Gloves are made from different materials, and each material holds up differently against different chemicals. A glove that feels sturdy in the hand may let a solvent or concentrate pass through without any visible sign. That is why a general-purpose glove is not a safe stand-in for the one the product calls for.

Some products also break down glove material over time, making it swell, soften, or turn sticky. The damage can start long before a hole appears. This is one reason the label, not appearance, should decide what you wear and when you stop wearing it.

If a product label lists more than one acceptable material, the choice can then be made on comfort and dexterity. If it lists a single material, treat that as a requirement rather than a suggestion.

Where do I find out which glove to use?

Read the protective equipment section of the label before you open the container. Pesticide labels in the United States list required protective equipment for handling and application, and that wording is part of the label. Follow it for the specific product, and ask the manufacturer or your extension office if something is unclear.

For fuels, cleaners, disinfectants, and other farm chemicals, request the safety data sheet from the supplier and look for the section on exposure controls and personal protection. Keep copies where every worker can find them, including seasonal and family helpers who may not read English as a first language.

• Read the label before buying gloves, not after.
• Keep safety data sheets in a known, dry place.
• Ask when a term is unclear; never substitute a different glove.

How should I put gloves on and take them off?

Check each glove for tears, thin spots, swelling, stiffness, or a sticky surface before use. Discard anything that looks damaged. Hands should be clean and dry going in, since moisture and residue inside a glove sit against skin for the whole job.

Take gloves off so the outside never touches bare skin. Wash the gloves, then your hands, with soap and water as soon as the job is done. Hands-on practice with a certified applicator or extension educator is the best way to learn this properly, because it is easier to see than to read.

What mistakes show up most often?

Common problems include reusing a glove that has been soaked by a product, wearing cuffs in a way the label does not allow, and pushing on with worn gloves because the job is almost finished. Another is wearing the same pair for several different products, which can carry residue from one task to the next.

Cloth and leather gloves soak up liquids and hold them against the skin. They are generally not suited to handling liquid chemicals, and the label will tell you if a particular type is required. When in doubt, stop and check before continuing.

• Do not reuse gloves the label says to discard.
• Do not wear leather or cloth for liquid concentrates unless the label allows it.
• Keep spare pairs at the place where mixing and loading happen.

How do I store and replace gloves?

Store gloves clean and dry, away from sunlight, heat, and sharp tools, and away from food and drink. Mark the ones used for chemicals so they are never used for ordinary chores, and keep them apart from the pair you wear to handle animals or feed.

Replacement timing comes from the manufacturer's instructions and the product label, not from a general rule. Writing the date you started a pair on the cuff makes it easier to keep track, and having spares on hand removes the temptation to keep using a worn pair.

What if a chemical gets on my skin?

Stop work and follow the first aid instructions on the product label. If someone is in distress, has trouble breathing, or the exposure is serious, call 911. Poison control can also advise; see the official poison control website for the number that serves your area.

Do not improvise treatment based on what a coworker remembers. The label and trained responders are the reliable sources. Afterward, tell your supervisor or family so the glove choice and the procedure can be reviewed before the next job.

How do I build glove use into the routine?

Set out the right gloves, a clean wash station, and a container for used or damaged pairs before mixing or loading begins. When the gear is already at hand, people are far more likely to use it.

Review the label with everyone involved each season, since products change and so do the people doing the work. Keep a short written note of which glove goes with which product so a helper or family member can follow it without guessing.

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