Storm damage, flood cleanup or handling anything contaminated exposes your hands and lungs before anything else — and cheap protection is often the difference between a manageable clean-up and a trip to A&E or a lingering chest problem.
We've picked tough leather rigger gloves for handling debris, glass and sharp material, disposable nitrile gloves for anything wet, dirty or biohazardous, and FFP3 respirator masks for dust, mould spores and smoke that ordinary masks don't filter out.
A pair of tough leather work gloves protects your hands clearing debris, handling glass, changing a tyre or gripping a jump-starter cable. Cheap protection for the jobs bare hands shouldn't do.
Genuine or split leather resists cuts, abrasion and heat far better than fabric gloves, and holds up to repeated hard use without shredding.
Gloves that fit close to the hand keep dexterity for fiddly jobs like undoing bolts or gripping small tools — oversized gloves are clumsy and unsafe near moving parts.
An elasticated or velcro cuff stops debris getting inside the glove and keeps it from slipping off mid-task.
Ill-fitting gloves reduce grip and control. Where sizes are offered, size to your actual hand rather than assuming generic will do.
Thin fabric gloves don't stop glass, sharp metal or heat. Keep a leather pair specifically for higher-risk jobs like roadside repairs or debris clearance.
Heavy-duty leather rigger gloves that protect hands from cuts, abrasion and heat while keeping enough dexterity for fiddly roadside or DIY jobs. Sold as a pack of three, so spares live in the car and the shed.
A box of powder-free, latex-free nitrile gloves for first aid, clean-up and food handling. Cheap, compact protection for every kit.
CE-certified valved FFP3 respirators that filter ~99% of fine airborne particles — dust, smoke and debris — with an exhalation valve and adjustable seal for comfortable, protective wear.
A ten-pack of 3M's valved FFP2 disposable respirators, the kind you want on hand for dusty clean-up after a flood, storm damage or DIY. The exhalation valve makes them easier to breathe through during longer jobs, and FFP2 filtering handles fine dust and non-oily particles. Not a substitute for FFP3 where finer protection is needed, but a sensible general-purpose layer.
A ten-pack of JSP's M632 valved FFP3 disposable masks — the higher-protection step up from FFP2, filtering at least 99% of fine particles. Worth having for the dusty, mouldy jobs that follow a flood or storm: clearing debris, stripping damp plaster or sweeping out a soot-filled room. The exhalation valve keeps them breathable on longer jobs, and they're disposable, so bin them once damp or clogged.
A reusable half-mask respirator with P3 filters and a built-in face-fit check — a step up from disposable dust masks for repeated jobs. Reach for it during hazardous clean-up: sweeping flood silt, clearing soot or mould, or sanding damaged surfaces. The rubber seal and replaceable filters make it cheaper over time than binning a paper mask after every use.
A reusable half-mask respirator with A1P2 filters, so it handles both dust and organic-vapour fumes rather than particles alone. Reach for it during dusty clean-ups, mould removal, spray painting or working with solvents. The replaceable-filter design makes it cheaper over time than getting through boxes of disposables.
Insulated, fully waterproof work gloves with a breathable coating that keeps hands warm and dry through cold, wet outdoor jobs. They're the pair to grab for clearing storm debris, gritting or working outside in freezing rain when ordinary gloves soak through. A genuine step up from basic work gloves once the weather turns.
A pack of ten disposable FFP2 respirators from 3M, the reference name in respiratory protection. The mask to reach for when clearing dust, mould or debris after a flood or storm, or filtering fine particles during any dirty clean-up.
Full-grain leather work gloves for the rough jobs that come with a storm or clear-up: shifting broken branches, handling debris, sawing and general graft. The leather resists abrasion and punctures far better than fabric gardening gloves. A cheap, sensible thing to have spare in the shed or the boot of the car.
A genuine FFP3 disposable respirator from 3M, the highest particulate filtering class for dust, mould, fine debris and other airborne hazards during clean-up or repairs. The Cool Flow valve cuts heat and moisture build-up so it stays wearable on longer jobs. It is a fit-dependent single-use item, not a substitute for a reusable half-mask if you need protection daily.
A box of 100 powder-free blue nitrile gloves — the disposable barrier you want for first aid, cleaning up after flooding, or handling fuel and chemicals. Latex-free, so they suit most people with a latex sensitivity. They're single-use and not cut-resistant, so pair them with proper work gloves for anything sharp.
A six-pack of lightweight PU-coated grip gloves for the fiddly, hands-on jobs after a storm or during a clean-up. They keep enough dexterity for handling debris, moving kit or clearing broken glass without wrecking a bulky pair each time. Not cut-proof gauntlets — think everyday protection you won't mind getting dirty.
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