Baby powder's decent, but honestly, I've found barrier creams like Invisible Glove work even better. Rub it in before you gear up, and fiberglass barely sticks. Still itchy sometimes, but way less hassle afterward...
Barrier creams are a solid suggestion—Invisible Glove has saved me more than once. A couple other things I've found helpful when dealing with fiberglass insulation:
- Long sleeves and pants are obvious, but make sure they're tight-weave fabric. Loose-knit shirts or sweats just trap more fibers.
- Tape up your cuffs and ankles. It feels silly at first, but it really cuts down on fibers sneaking in.
- Cold showers afterward. I know, sounds miserable, but hot water opens your pores and makes the itch worse. Learned that the hard way...
- If you do get itchy, try duct tape. Seriously. Press it gently onto your skin and peel it off slowly. It lifts out a surprising amount of fiberglass bits.
I still get itchy sometimes, but these tricks have made attic work way more bearable. Good luck up there—fiberglass is no joke.
Good tips overall, but I'd be cautious about the duct tape method. Fiberglass particles can embed pretty deeply, and peeling tape off your skin repeatedly might irritate it even more. I've seen people end up with red, inflamed skin after trying that trick.
A better alternative might be using a lint roller—it's gentler on your skin and still picks up a surprising amount of fibers. Also, instead of cold showers (which sound awful, honestly...), lukewarm water works just fine. Hot water is definitely a no-go, but lukewarm water washes fibers away without shocking your system.
One more thing to consider: disposable coveralls. They're lightweight, breathable, and specifically designed to keep insulation fibers out. Yeah, they look a bit goofy, but they're cheap and save you the hassle of taping up your clothes every time. Worth a shot if you're dealing with insulation regularly.
Yeah, duct tape isn't something I'd recommend either—seen too many guys end up regretting that move later. The lint roller trick is solid; another good one is baby powder or cornstarch. Sprinkle some on your skin before working, and it keeps the fibers from sticking as much. Sounds weird, I know, but it actually helps.
Disposable coveralls are definitely worth it if you're in attics a lot. Even the cheap ones from the hardware store make a big difference. And don't forget gloves with long cuffs—fiberglass loves sneaking into sleeves.
About the showers...lukewarm water is spot-on. Cold showers are brutal, and hot water just opens your pores and makes the itch worse. Also, shower first, then pat dry gently—rubbing your skin dry can push any leftover fibers deeper.
Anyway, insulation work always sucks a bit, but these little tricks make it way more bearable.
Has anyone tried barrier creams for this? I've done a fair bit of attic work (mostly checking insulation quality in older luxury homes), and one thing that helped me was using a protective skin cream beforehand. It creates a thin layer that makes fibers less likely to stick or irritate. Still itchy afterward, but way less intense...wonder if anyone else has had luck with this approach?
