How to remove propolis from gloves?

[RichardK]

The title says it all really - how do you remove it? I have a fairly thick pair of nitrile gloves that are no designed to be one use only. But after one use I've loads of propolis on them.

 

[Amari]

The title says it all really - how do you remove it? I have a fairly thick pair of nitrile gloves that are no designed to be one use only. But after one use I've loads of propolis on them.

Washing soda = sodium carbonate crystals.

 

[drdrday]

I keep a tub of mixed up washing soda (fairly strong) with my beekeeping kit. My hive tool is stored in it so that it's cleaned between inspections. Not only gets the propolis off but also reduces the risk of you transferring anything nasty between hives or apiaries. The tub is always at hand when I'm inspecting so I can dunk the hive tool between hives but I can also dunk the fingers of my gloves if/when they get too sticky with propolis or just between handling different hives.
Stick a bit of washing soda in with your bee suit when you're washing it and it does a great job of getting that clean too.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

just wet the gloves well in the soda solution then just rub them together briskly, frequently dipping into the solution, takes a while but works

 

[Curly green finger's]

just wet the gloves well in the soda solution then just rub them together briskly, frequently dipping into the solution, takes a while but works

Aye you can work a bit of a lather in, your hands quite satisfying.

 

[pargyle]

All of the above ... washing soda (a warm solution works best) is about the only thing that will remove propolis .. My apiary is in the garden and I make up a fresh bucket every time i go to handle the bees - it takes only a few seconds of hand washing to get the honey and propolis off and a quick shake and the gloves are dry and you are off again. I keep a few hive tools on the go at each inspection and if one gets sticky I chuck it in the bucket and take out one that's in there ... an old towel in the bee box is quite useful as well. When you've finished with the washing soda solution chuck it down your kitchen drain as it helps keep the drains clear as well ....

 

[RichardK]

Thank you everyone! Off to buy some washing soda. You are indeed a very helpful bunch!

 

[pargyle]

Thank you everyone! Off to buy some washing soda. You are indeed a very helpful bunch!

You had better buy two ... cheap as chips and in my local Asda they are always selling out of the stuff when I need it. Keep it in a sealed container as once it's opened it goes hard with atmospheric moisture.

It's also useful for washing your bee suits ... a good spoonful in with the washing powder will get the propolis and bee poo off your pristine white bee suits. You need to wash your suits regularly as any bee stings to your suit will attract more bee stings and other unwanted behaviour and if you are anything like me they are going to get covered in all the products of the hive .... so they need washing.

Your daughter at 4 years is very brave .. we need young blood into the craft as us old 'uns are dying off faster than new ones are coming in ... great to see it.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I put mine in the washing machine with the washing

 

[sean-a]

Turn them inside out, pour a few soda crystals inside each of them and then a bit of boiling water from the kettle.
both pairs at the same time, then hold tightly by the wrist and shake for 30 seconds. (Helps if you wear a pair of marigolds to heat proof your hands!)
Shake - tip out down the sink
Turn them back the right way and jobs a good un!

 

[oliver90owner]

Another alternative might be to wear some (tight fitting) disposables over the gloves that you want to keep clean.

Propolis around frames often means wrong bee space or unwanted gaps between boxes or bees that collect loads. All of these can easily be attended to..

 

[ericbeaumont]

in the washing machine with the washing

I do the same but avoid standard washing powders, which are scented to hell and back.

We use a sachet of scentless magnesium pellets which turn the water alkaline, and add a cupful of washing soda.

I've been wearing and washing a box of 100 nitriles since April and only this week do I need to order another box (I wear about three pairs a day, every day).

 

[E&MBees]

I do the same but avoid standard washing powders, which are scented to hell and back.

We use a sachet of scentless magnesium pellets which turn the water alkaline, and add a cupful of washing soda.

I've been wearing and washing a box of 100 nitriles since April and only this week do I need to order another box (I wear about three pairs a day, every day).

Glad I’m not the only one who washes out used nitriles.

 

[Pembroke]

I'm surprised no one has suggested some sort of liquid (denatured alcohol perhaps) to dissolve the propolis off to make an antiseptic tincture. It seems quite popular in some circles as a substance to put on small cuts to aid healing. Or added to food for dubious health benefits.

https://localhoneyman.co.uk/product/propolis/
Maybe it's too much bother for such a small amount? Or the alcohol will melt the glove, but the price of it dwarfs the price of a pound of honey.

 

[user 819]

Wear a thinner main glove and just use an over glove, my over gloves I talc them to get on and they last sometimes 3 - 4 inspections before needing to change. The glove comes off and is left under the roof.