For a long time, wearing gloves – especially traditional white cotton gloves – was almost synonymous with care and respect for heritage. It became a habit in libraries, archives, museums and even in the public imagination. But is that really the best way to protect documents, books, photographs or other cultural objects?

In this article, we explain when, why and what type of gloves should (or should not) be used. And why, in many cases, the best choice is actually… bare hands.

The myth of cotton gloves

The image of white gloves evokes cleanliness and safety, but in practice, cotton gloves carry more risks than benefits. This type of glove:

• Does not protect the user – absorbs dirt and liquids used during interventions;

• Sheds fibres – which deposit onto documents;

• Has a coarse weave – which can snag fragile edges or surfaces and cause tears;

• Reduces manual dexterity – you lose tactile sensitivity and increase the risk of applying too much force;

• Gets dirty easily – and frequent changes may not be feasible, increasing the risk of cross-contamination.

👉 Conclusion: cotton gloves are strongly discouraged for everyday conservation and handling tasks.

Gloves, yes – but which ones?

In situations that require protection – for either the person or the object – disposable nitrile gloves are currently the most recommended option. They offer good grip, are thin, and don’t shed particles.

When to wear nitrile gloves:

• When handling objects contaminated with dust, biological residues or toxic materials;

• During cleaning using solvents or chemical products (always checking material compatibility);

• When handling materials sensitive to skin oils, such as photographic objects or metals.

⚠️ Nitrile gloves are not resistant to all solvents (e.g. acetone). In such cases, latex gloves may be needed.

⚠️ Latex gloves should not be used with photographic objects or metals, and should be avoided by those with latex sensitivity or allergy.

Good glove practices:

• Choose the right size – loose gloves reduce precision; tight ones tear easily;

• Avoid gloves without inner powder – it transfers to the objects;

• Change gloves as needed, especially between different documents;

• Remove gloves during breaks, phone calls or interruptions;

• Wash or sanitise your hands regularly, even when wearing gloves.

Working without gloves?

It might seem counterintuitive, but working without gloves is often the best option – especially for fragile documents such as paper or glass objects. Fingertips are highly sensitive tools: they help detect whether a material is brittle, damp, stiff or flexible. That awareness is essential for careful handling.

Basic rules for working without gloves:

• Wash hands thoroughly before starting;

• Wash them again every 30–60 minutes, after any interruption, and whenever needed;

• Avoid touching your face, hair, phone or other surfaces;

• Remove rings, bracelets or watches with protruding elements.

Exceptions: when gloves are truly necessary

There are cases where gloves are essential, either to protect the object or to protect the user’s health:

• Objects contaminated with mould, bacteria or other biological residues;

• Toxic materials (e.g. lead, cadmium);

• Photographic objects – skin oils cause deterioration over time, even if not immediately visible;

• Uncoated metal objects – also vulnerable to skin oils.

In such cases, gloves are part of a full set of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which may also include a mask, lab coat, goggles, etc.

And institutional users?

For general users – such as reading room visitors – gloves should not be imposed except in specific cases (e.g. handling photographs, metals or very delicate documents).

• Gloves must be provided by the institution;

• Users should be given proper guidance on glove use;

• The institution must ensure gloves are clean and fit properly.

👉 Blindly requiring all users to wear gloves can do more harm than good.

Summary