Best Disposable Gloves for Dumping RV Tanks

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All experienced RVers know that disposable gloves are a necessity. Emptying the black and grey water tanks is no one’s favorite task, but it must be done. Full-hookup sites make the job a bit easier, but even when it’s your own personal sewer hose you’ll still want gloves.

As you prep your RV for the next road trip, you might be wondering are all disposable gloves created equal? The short answer is no. Let’s take a closer look at why you need gloves and which disposable gloves are best for dumping RV tanks.

Do You Need To Wear Gloves When Dumping Your RV Tanks?

Yes, of course, you need to wear gloves when emptying your RV tanks. The black water tank is especially gross as it contains human waste. The germs and bacteria you encounter just by handling the sewer hose can be harmful to your health if you don’t take precautions to protect yourself.

No matter how careful you are, things can still happen. A connection can be loose, or the sewer hose can leak. Gloves are a must to make sure that if something gets messy, you won’t have to come in direct contact with the waste.

Pro Tip: Closed-toed shoes and long pants are also a good idea, especially at communal dump stations where other RVers may have left a puddle.

Are Disposable Gloves The Best For Dumping RV Tanks?

Gloves are a must, but just which gloves are best? This is up to personal preference, but we like disposable gloves. They are the most popular choice because they are inexpensive and convenient. Simply throw the disposable gloves away after each use.

Heavy rubber gloves are another option. But rinsing, drying, and storing these after each use can be a pain.

Work gloves are not a good choice when emptying RV tanks. They aren’t water-proof and therefore spilled sewage could seep through the fabric defeating the purpose of gloves altogether.

The bottom line is, you’ll want a fresh set of gloves every time you dump your tanks. Disposable gloves are the best choice as they are practical and economical.

What Are Disposable Gloves Made Out Of?

There are three different materials typically used to make disposable gloves. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each.

Latex disposable gloves are probably the most common. The advantage of gloves made of this material is that they have a high degree of touch sensitivity. 

A disadvantage of latex gloves is that some people are allergic. Obviously, if that’s you or someone in your travel party, you’ll want to look to another option.

Nitrile gloves are another popular type of disposable glove. Not only are they a good option for those with latex allergies, but Nitrile gloves are more durable than their latex counterparts. The trade-off is these types of gloves are typically not as flexible as latex.

Vinyl gloves are also common. These gloves are inexpensive to produce and therefore relatively cheap to buy. But beware because one major disadvantage of these gloves is that overstretching causes the integrity to be compromised.

What Are The Best Disposable Gloves For Dumping RV Tanks?

The best disposable gloves are the ones that fit properly. Proper fit is very important regardless of brand or type. 

If the gloves are too large, you’ll risk the grossness of the black water seeping in around the wrist portion of the glove. You’ll also lose dexterity if the fingers are too long or the glove is too loose.

Conversely, if the gloves are too small you risk them ripping causing your bare hand to be exposed to germs.

Bargain-brand gloves sometimes pose a risk of ripping as well. Avoid discount disposable gloves because it’s simply not worth it to be constantly worried about a glove busting open while you’re trying to empty your tanks.

3 Popular Disposable Glove Brands Great For Dumping RV Tanks

There are tons of brands of disposable gloves out there to choose from. When it comes to using them for RV sewer tasks we don’t suggest going with the cheapest.

The last thing you want is a rip in the glove and you end up with a glove full of

1. GLOVEWORKS Heavy Duty * RVBlogger Favorite

GLOVEWORKS Heavy Duty is our favorite type of disposable gloves and we have been using them for over 5 years. These Nitrile gloves are free of latex. Not only are they allergy-friendly, but these gloves are 8 mils thick and therefore very durable and difficult to rip. 

We also love the raised diamond texture on the palm and fingers of each glove. This added detail makes gripping and twisting a slippery sewer hose that much easier. These gloves come in a bold orange color, which makes seeing what you’re doing in dimly lit environments easier.

2. TITANflex

TITANflex gloves are another great choice in Nitrile disposable gloves. TITANflex gloves also come with a raised diamond texture. They are designed to provide more puncture resistance and barrier protection than other gloves. The vibrant lime green color will help you see what you’re doing even if it’s dark out when you have to dump.

3. SAFESKIN

SAFESKIN also makes popular Nitrile disposable gloves. This brand is known for its convenient Pop-N-Go dispenser. SAFESKIN gloves are lightweight and flexible. They also offer a longer than average cuff on their gloves which protects more of your skin from potential sewage leaks.

Is It Safe To Dump Your Grey Tank Without Disposable Gloves?

Grey water does not pose as much of a hazard as black water, but it’s still not something you want all over your hands. Comprised of the leftovers from dishwashing and people bathing, grey water can be gross too. We always recommend wearing gloves when dumping your grey water tank.

Can You Reuse Disposable Gloves For Dumping RV Tanks?

Most quality disposable gloves won’t have a rip or tear after just one use. Still, it’s a good idea to dispose of them and use a new pair each time you dump your tanks.

It would be nearly impossible to remove the gloves, wash them properly, and then put them on again for later use without your skin coming in contact with all of the nasty things you’re trying to avoid.

In short, reusing disposable gloves defeats the purpose. Even the highest quality disposable gloves are inexpensive and intended for one-time use only.

Where Can I Store Disposable Gloves For Easy Access While Dumping Tanks?

If you have all of your supplies in one accessible place, the unpleasant task of dumping your tanks will be easier and more efficient. After all, no one wants to be fumbling through the storage compartment looking for something while a long line of other RVers wait to use the dump station.

We recommend creating an RV hand sanitation station to streamline the dumping process. You can customize your sanitation station in whatever way you like, but there are three main components you’ll want to be sure to have handy.

1. Disposable gloves, and a glove dispenser like a clear tissue box
2. Paper towel and a paper towel holder
3. Hand sanitizer

The inside of a storage compartment door is a great place to store the supplies for your hand sanitation station. Not only is it convenient, but this solution makes use of otherwise underutilized storage space in your rig. Watch our tutorial video above for all the instructions and materials needed to replicate our hand sanitation station.

Final Thoughts About Disposable Gloves For Dumping RV Tanks

Disposable gloves for dumping RV tanks are a necessity. Even the most careful RVers risk sewage spills, and no one wants that biohazard on their hands.

While many options for gloves exist, disposable gloves are the most convenient choice. Gloveworks Heavy Duty gloves are our preferred disposable glove brand because of their ruggedness and diamond pattern for easy gripping.

Always keep your disposable gloves and other dump station necessities like hand sanitizer and paper towels handy. Easy access to these essentials helps streamline the tank-emptying process. The ability to accomplish this task as quickly and painlessly as possible is something all RVers are sure to appreciate.

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Related Reading:

– How to Setup Your RV Campsite for Beginners
– RV Hookups Explained (Water, Sewer, Electric)
– How to Clean and Store an RV Sewer Hose
– How to Clean Your RV Black Tank in 3 Simple Steps

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