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See why.Dishwashing Gloves
To find a pair that braved the elements, we had testers with a range of hand sizes don five pairs and put them through a series of extreme cleaning trials.
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See Everything We TestedWhat You Need To Know
Good dishwashing gloves protect your hands from the perils of kitchen cleanup. To find a pair that braved the elements, we had testers with a range of hand sizes don five pairs ($2.45-$15), all made of water-repellent materials, and put them through a series of extreme cleaning trials. We plunged them in scalding hot tap water (approximately 160 degrees) for 25 seconds, measuring the temperature inside one finger with a thermocouple; soaked them overnight in a chlorine bleach solution; scrubbed at slippery grease; and tested their puncture resistance by cleaning sharp knives. Finally, we asked the test kitchen dishwashing staff to wear the gloves for a day, which highlighted any user discomforts. Some gloves lost their grip after handling greasy dishes, while shorter models—or those with floppy cuffs—allowed water to bypass and run up our sleeves. The best ones not only kept us dry and our fingers safe from heat and punctures, but also fit snugly, allowing us to reach into cups or pick up small objects. Next time we plunge into the suds, we’ll pull on our winner whose superior protection and flexibility worked hand in glove.
Everything We Tested
Highly Recommended
Even after we washed a sink full of greasy pots and pans, the grip on these gloves never faltered. Their slender fingers and tapered wrists fit snugly and comfortably, and the long sleeves—cleverly dammed at the end by a self-folding cuff—let us reach silverware at the bottom of a full sink without dampening our shirtsleeves.
Recommended
These gloves provided some of the best heat protection of the bunch. However, while they matched our winner in length, they were less form-fitting. Plus, their cuffs—not anchored by a crease, as in our favorite pair—began to slip after prolonged use.
Recommended with reservations
These slender, flexible gloves slipped easily into tall, narrow glasses with a sponge, and came out of the chlorine-bleach bath unscathed. But grease made them too slick to grip dishes, and their short (12-inch) sleeves constantly let water seep in.
Advertised as “heavy duty,” these gloves were by far the most heat-resistant and tough—but also stiff. Jobs that required dexterity were difficult and made our hands start to cramp.
Not Recommended
These latex gloves offered dexterity and good grip with greasy dishes, but weren’t worth their steep price. They provided the least protection against hot water—inside the glove, the temperature was only 15 degrees less than the scalding water we plunged them into. Plus, their oilcloth fringe was intolerably itchy—a problem that grew worse when the wide bell sleeve opening took in water and the inside of the cloth became wet.
Reviews you can trust
Reviews you can trust
The mission of America’s Test Kitchen Reviews is to find the best equipment and ingredients for the home cook through rigorous, hands-on testing. We stand behind our winners so much that we even put our seal of approval on them.