Totally agree with you on ditching the disposable suits. I tried one exactly once when I was insulating my attic last spring—never again. Felt like I was wrapped in plastic wrap, sweating buckets within minutes. Ended up just wearing old jeans and a hoodie, but your cotton jumpsuit idea sounds way smarter. Wish I'd thought of that earlier... would've saved me a lot of itchy evenings. Honestly, comfort is worth spending a bit extra on, especially if you're gonna be up there for hours. Good call on just tossing it in the wash afterward too—beats dealing with piles of sweaty plastic suits any day.
I get the appeal of cotton jumpsuits, but aren't you worried about fibers from the insulation sticking to the fabric even after washing? I tried something similar once—thought I'd be clever and wore an old cotton coverall. It felt great at first, way better than those disposable plastic nightmares, but afterward I noticed tiny fiberglass bits still clinging to it even after a thorough wash. Ended up tossing it anyway because I didn't want itchy surprises next time I wore it.
Have you considered investing in one of those breathable painter's suits instead? They're reusable, washable, and designed specifically to keep fine particles out without turning you into a sweaty mess. Might be worth checking out if you're planning more attic adventures...
I totally get the hesitation about cotton coveralls. Had a similar experience myself—thought I'd be smart and wore an old denim jacket while helping a friend insulate his attic. Felt comfy at first, but afterward, even after two washes, I kept feeling these tiny prickly bits poking me randomly. Drove me nuts...ended up having to chuck the jacket, which sucked because I'd had it forever.
"Have you considered investing in one of those breathable painter's suits instead?"
I did give one of those painter suits a shot later on, and it was definitely better than the denim disaster. Still, I found it didn't breathe quite as well as I'd hoped, so I was sweating buckets by the end. Maybe I just picked the wrong brand or something. Curious if anyone else has found a sweet spot between breathable and protective? I'd love to avoid another itchy fiasco without feeling like I'm wrapped in cling film the whole time.
I feel your pain on the painter's suit issue. I've had similar experiences myself—those disposable suits can be hit or miss depending on the brand and material. Some of them claim to be breathable, but honestly, they're just glorified plastic bags with zippers. I remember one attic job where I thought I'd found the perfect solution: a supposedly breathable Tyvek suit. It was protective enough, sure, but after about 20 minutes up there, I felt like I'd stepped into a sauna. Not exactly ideal when you're crawling around in insulation dust.
One thing I've found helpful is looking for suits specifically labeled as microporous film laminate rather than standard polyethylene or basic Tyvek. They're designed to allow moisture vapor out while still blocking particles from getting in. They cost a bit more, but in my experience, they're worth it if you're doing longer jobs or working in warmer spaces.
Another trick I've picked up is layering strategically underneath—something moisture-wicking like a thin athletic shirt helps a lot with comfort and sweat management. Cotton shirts tend to soak up sweat and stay damp, making you feel even hotter and itchier afterward.
Also, don't underestimate the value of ventilation breaks. Even the best suits won't keep you perfectly comfortable indefinitely. Taking short breaks every half-hour or so to step outside and unzip for a minute can make a huge difference in overall comfort.
It's definitely frustrating trying to find that balance between protection and breathability...but don't give up yet; there are better options out there than cling-film suits or itchy denim jackets.
Good points, especially about layering. I've also found that microporous suits make a noticeable difference. Last summer, I spent hours retrofitting insulation—switching to moisture-wicking shirts underneath was a game changer. Still sweaty work, but at least I wasn't itching for days afterward...
