I didn’t always use rubber gloves when washing dishes. I got my first pair of dish gloves in my mid-twenties as a gift from my best friend after she realized I didn’t own any. She couldn’t fathom how I had gone my whole life without ever putting on a pair. Truthfully, I didn’t think it was a big deal. I used my favorite dish scrubber and regularly cleaned the dishwasher. But now that I’ve started using dish gloves, I can never, ever go back to washing dishes without them. Here’s why.
1. You’ll Use Hotter Water
Dish gloves protect you from the heat, so you can use hotter water than you would with bare hands. Since hot water is the key to getting your dishes clean, this is an important step. When I used to wash dishes with my bare hands, I kept the water temperature mild enough so I wouldn’t be too uncomfortable when cleaning up after Taco Tuesday dinners. I also rushed through it so my hands wouldn’t scald when I did turn up the heat. With dish gloves, you won’t think twice about making the water nice and hot, hot, hot.
2. You’ll Clean Thoroughly
Armed with a pair of dish gloves, there’s no stuck-on food I can’t tackle. I’m no longer afraid to get in there and scrub, removing burnt bits and cheese that’s stuck to the pan after making the best macaroni and cheese. This might sound strange, but wearing dish gloves helps me commit to the task at hand and get those pots and pans squeaky clean. It’s even—dare I say it—a little fun! When you’re not worried about getting your hands dirty, you’ll clean more thoroughly.
3. Your Hands Won’t Dry Out
Dry hands aren’t pleasant. They crack and can even hurt. If you wash your hands a lot, then you know wet hands dry out fast. You may even find yourself making one-dish meals in order to make dish duty go faster. Using dish gloves is a small step that makes a big impact in preventing your hands from drying out.
Pro tip: Slather on lotion before putting on the gloves. The hot water will open up your pores, helping the lotion to sink in and moisturize more deeply. It’s a mini spa day at the sink!
Now that you know about the benefits of using dish gloves, it’s time to treat yourself to a pair (they’re not expensive!). Happy dishwashing!
Psst! These one-pan recipes are incredibly quick to cleanup.
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Taste of Home
Barbecue Pork and Penne Skillet
I'm the proud mother of wonderful and active children. Simple, delicious and quick meals like this BBQ pork skillet are perfect for us to enjoy together after school activities, especially if I have leftover pulled pork. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana
Go to Recipe
Sheet-Pan Chicken Curry DinnerThis sheet-pan chicken curry is a quick way to get a meal on the table without fuss. Everyone loves it, and it's healthy to boot! Serve it with a side of jasmine rice. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
One-Bowl Chocolate Chip BreadMy family hops out of bed on Valentine’s Day because they know I’m baking this quick bread for breakfast. They’re major chocoholics and it always hits the spot. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
One-Skillet PastaThis recipe was given to me 25 years ago and remains a family favorite. It's a tasty twist on traditional spaghetti, and making a one-skillet pasta saves time on prep and cleanup, too. —Susan Spence, Lawrenceville, Virginia
Sausage and Pepper Sheet-Pan SandwichesSausage with peppers was always on the table when I was growing up. Here's how to do it the easy way: Just grab a sheet pan and the ingredients, then let the oven do the work. —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
Skillet Mac & CheeseThis creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! Kids always go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much.
—Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas
Sheet-Pan Chipotle-Lime Shrimp BakeI like to make this seafood dinner for company because it tastes amazing, but takes very little effort to throw together. Use asparagus, Broccolini or a mix of the two. It’s all about what's available for a decent price. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Sweet Potato and Egg SkilletI try to incorporate nutritious sweet potatoes in my meals as often as possible, especially with breakfast. I created this recipe with the purpose of feeding my family a healthy, hearty breakfast—and it worked! —Jeanne Larson, Mission Viejo, California
Chicken Cordon Bleu PizzaThis recipe combines my two favorite foods—pizza and chicken cordon bleu. I've made this for my family and the teachers at my school. Now the teachers ask me to make it for them for lunch! —Justin Rippel, Colgate, Wisconsin
Creamy Skillet Noodles with PeasI’ve made this creamy noodle side for years. Since kids and adults go for it, I keep the ingredients on hand at all times. —Anita Groff, Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania
Broiled Greek Fish FilletsCombine olives, onion, dill and feta cheese in a tangy, Greek-inspired topping to boost the flavor of tilapia or your favorite whitefish. —Jennifer Maslowski, New York, New York
Lemon-Dijon Pork Sheet-Pan SupperMost nights I need something that I can get on the table with minimal effort and delicious results. This sheet-pan supper has become an all-time favorite, not only because of its bright flavors but also because of its speedy cleanup time. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Beefy Tortellini SkilletThis tortellini dish is a one-skillet-wonder the family craves. From browning beef to cooking the pasta and melting the cheese, everything happens in one pan. You can add basil or chives for a touch of freshness. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia
Ragin' Cajun Eggplant and Shrimp SkilletWe have a large summer garden where lots of produce lingers into fall. That’s when we harvest our onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and eggplant—some of the key ingredients of this dish. This recipe turns Cajun with the holy trinity (onion, celery and bell pepper), shrimp and red pepper flakes. —Barbara Hahn, Park Hills, Missouri
Double Nut BaklavaIt may take some time to make this rich, buttery treat, but it's well worth the effort! The blend of coconut, pecans and macadamia nuts is irresistible. —Kari Kelley, Plains, Montana
Maple Sausage SkilletMaple syrup adds sweetness to this yummy stir-fry. I sometimes add a little broccoli, too, for a change of pace. Add a green salad and a crusty loaf of bread for a complete meal in minutes. —Dottie Tarlton, Malvern, Arkansas
One-Skillet LasagnaThis is hands-down one of the best skillet lasagna recipes our testing panel has ever tasted. And with classic flavors and cheesy layers, it’s definitely kid-friendly. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Sheet-Pan Chicken and VegetablesThis sheet-pan chicken and veggies meal tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Skillet Shepherd's PieThis is the best shepherd's pie recipe I've ever tasted. It's very quick to make, and I usually have most—if not all—of the ingredients already on hand. —Tirzah Sandt, San Diego, California
Garlic Toast PizzasBetween working full-time, going to school and raising three children, finding time-saving recipes that my family likes is one of my biggest challenges. These quick pizzas pack a huge amount of flavor. —Amy Grim, Chillicothe, Ohio
Spicy Roasted Sausage, Potatoes and PeppersI love to share my cooking, and this hearty sheet-pan dinner has built a reputation for being tasty. People have actually approached me in public to ask for the recipe. —Laurie Sledge, Brandon, Mississippi
Turtle SkilletThis caramel-chocolate dip with buttery biscuit dippers is delicious! You can use refrigerated croissants instead of biscuits for a flakier texture and caramel dip instead of sauce. —Betsy Tankersley, Flat Rock, North Carolina
Skillet Sausage StuffingTo make this sausage stuffing, I dressed up a package of stuffing mix with pork sausage, mushrooms, celery and onion. It impressed my in-laws at a family gathering and has since become a popular side dish with my husband and children. —Jennifer Lynn Cullen, Taylor, Michigan
Sweet & Tangy Salmon with Green BeansI'm always up for new ways to cook salmon. In this dish, a sweet sauce gives the fish and green beans some down-home barbecue tang. Even our kids love it. —Aliesha Caldwell, Robersonville, North Carolina
Meatball PizzaI always keep meatballs and pizza crusts in the freezer to make this specialty on the spur of the moment. Add a tossed salad and you have a delicious dinner. —Mary Humeniuk-Smith, Perry Hall, Maryland
Skillet Chicken StewIt's been 20 years now since I adapted this from a recipe for beef stew. We like it so much that, in all that time, I have never changed any ingredients or amounts - unless it was to double them! Our home's on a river, and my husband, our three boys and I enjoy camping and boating. — Valerie Jordan, Kingmont, West Virginia
Skillet Pork Chops with Apples & OnionSimple recipes that land on the table fast are lifesavers. I serve skillet pork chops with veggies and, when my husband lobbies, cornbread stuffing. —Tracey Karst, Ponderay, Idaho
Pretty Penne Ham SkilletI'm a busy nurse, so fast meals are a must. This pasta is a tasty change of pace from potato-ham casseroles. —Kathy Stephan, West Seneca, New York
Roasted Kielbasa & VegetablesI like this dish featuring kielbasa and veggies for two reasons: It's so hearty, and it’s a one-pan meal. That’s a win-win dinner! —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
Chili SkilletLike most farmers, my husband loves a good hearty chili. With all the vegetables, cheese and meat in it, this dish makes a super supper—and it comes together in one skillet on top of the stove. I serve it frequently in fall and winter. —Katherine Brown, Fredericktown, Ohio
Skillet TacosThis fast and healthy alternative to traditional tacos has a delicious southwestern flair. The fact that is comes together in just 30 minutes makes it even more irresistible. —Maria Gobel, Greenfield, Wisconsin
Chocolate-Stuffed Peanut Butter Skillet CookieA surprise chocolate filling makes this peanut butter chocolate skillet cookie extra delicious! Serve warm from the oven with a scoop of your favorite ice cream. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin
Skillet Beef TamalesI found something similar to this years ago and have recently added my own spin. Here’s the outcome: an easy, cheesy meal your family can't get enough of. We don't have to tell them it's healthy. —Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona
Parmesan Chicken with Artichoke HeartsI've liked the chicken and artichoke combo for a long time. Here's my own lemony twist. With all the praise it gets, this dinner is so much fun to serve. —Carly Giles, Hoquiam, Washington
One-Pot Chicken Pesto PastaWhen my garden basil goes nuts, I make pesto and keep it frozen in small containers for the right opportunity, like this saucy one-pot chicken pesto pasta recipe. —Kimberly Fenwick, Hobart, Indiana
Roasted Chicken Thighs with Peppers & PotatoesMy family loves this dish! There's nothing better than oven baked boneless chicken thighs for dinner. It looks and tastes like you fussed, but it is really simple to make. These roasted chicken thighs use healthy olive oil and fresh herbs from my garden. —Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire
Confetti Kielbasa SkilletHere's one of my husband's favorite dishes. When it's in season, substitute fresh corn for frozen. Add a dash of cayenne pepper if you like a little heat. —Sheila Gomez, Shawnee, Kansas
One-Skillet Pork Chop SupperMy husband, Clark, and I reserve this recipe for Sundays after the grandkids have gone home and we're too tired to prepare a big meal. It's comforting and quick. —Kathy Thompson, Port Orange, Florida
Beef and Spinach SkilletOver the years, I've tried to instill a love of cooking in our seven children. And we've enjoyed a variety of delicious recipes, including this one. - Nancy Robaidek, Krakow, Wisconsin
Skillet Steak SupperWith all the ingredients cooked in one skillet, this steak dish couldn't be quicker to prepare—or to clean up! But the wine and mushroom sauce makes it seem special. —Sandra Fisher, Missoula, Montana
One-Bowl Chocolate CakeThis cake mixes up quickly and bakes while we enjoy our dinner. My son, David, loves to help decorate it. —Coleen Martin, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Lemon-Pepper Tilapia with MushroomsMy husband and I are trying to add more fish and healthy entrees to our diet and this one makes it easy. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, so it's perfect for hectic weeknights. —Donna McDonald, Lake Elsinore, California
Baked Cheddar Eggs & PotatoesI love making breakfast recipes with eggs for dinner, especially this combo with potatoes and cheese that's started in a skillet on the stovetop and then popped into the oven to bake. —Nadine Merheb, Tucson, Arizona
German Apple PancakeIf you're looking for a pretty dish to make when having guests for brunch, try this. Everyone I've served it to has enjoyed it—except for one time, that is, when my husband tried to make it following my recipe, which I'd written down incorrectly! If you don't leave out the flour as I did, it'll turn out terrific! —Judi Van Beek, Lynden, Washington
Skillet Ham & RiceHam, rice and mushrooms make a tasty combination in this homey stovetop dish. It goes from start to finish in just 25 minutes. —Susan Zivec, Regina, Saskatchewan
Emily Racette Parulski is a Senior Editor for Taste of Home, specializing in email newsletters. When she’s not writing about food, she’s baking something sweet to feed her chocolate obsession.
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Updated: Aug. 14, 2018
