These Cotton

By Genevieve Yam

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I used to dread doing the dishes. Faced with a sink full of plates and bowls and glasses, I’d groan, roll up my sleeves, and resign myself to half an hour of scrubbing vigorously until my hands were bright pink and pruny.

In an effort to protect my hands, I decided to purchase a set of dishwashing gloves. I worked my way through several pairs, searching high and low for gloves that were both effective at protecting my hands and comfortable. None felt quite right, and after disposing of several unsatisfying, leaky pairs, I decided to invest in a set of these long-lasting, machine-washable gloves from Garden Works.

Made with sturdy vinyl, these gloves are durable and flexible. They protect my hands from household cleaners and hot, soapy water, and the tiny grooves along the palm and fingertips of the gloves provide extra grip for holding on to fragile china—a thoughtful detail for someone as clumsy as I am. Lined with 100% cotton, the interior of the gloves is soft and comfortable and wearing them while I do the dishes almost makes cleanup feel like a luxurious experience.

Most dishwashing gloves I’ve used in the past have had poor insulation, not to mention a soggy feel on the inside after just a few minutes of use that makes the gloves extremely unpleasant to wear and difficult to remove. These Garden Works gloves, though, are thick and durable enough to prevent any unwanted dampness from forming within the gloves, and the cotton lining means they’re easy to pull off when you’re done with the dishes.

And when they get dirty on the inside? You can just toss them in your washing machine with the rest of your laundry and hang them to dry. Each set comes with two pairs, leaving you with a backup in case one pair is in the laundry.

After using these gloves for a week, I realized that what I dreaded wasn't cleaning, but how my hands felt after. Now that my hands are no longer dry and cracked, tackling the dishes feels a lot easier— and is even enjoyable. Anything, even all the dishes left over from a big dinner party, is possible with the right pair of gloves.