It's funny you should ask  because about an hour ago I actually saw some at TJ Max and I wondered why anyone would need them that long--LOL. Of course, TJ Max is one of those stores that the stock is constantly changing and I have no idea if you would find the same stuff where you live that I'm seeing here in Montana.

I think putting some nice olive oil on your freshly washed arms would be wonderful..like the old italian women did to keep their skin young and beautiful.  The italians can be pretty hairy, even the women..my italian girlfriend has hairy arms..so I think the italian women knew what they were doing with all that great olive oil.  Use extra virgin, cold pressed...enjoy!

Sylvia

It's common practice to oil the hands when hand mixing dough so might be worth continuing up the arms? Not necessary to use the best oil, though extra virgin sounds appealing! I use a light olive oil for hands and oiling the board. I find it scents the dough less than a stronger oil.

Alternatively you could use a stout wooden spoon while waiting for any dough whisks to arrive.

You can buy long gloves online at

http://www.yardlover.com/extra-long-trident-heavyweight-unlined-latex-gloves

However these heavy gloves might prevent you being able to feel the dough texture. Guess you could remove them after initial mix?

Kind regards, Daisy_A

You must have seen at least one TV programme where a veterinarian put on a very long plastic glove to examine a cow.  Why not see if you could get your hands on some of those?  I don't have a clue where you could possibly look, except maybe an agricultural college or a vets' college.

How about a different approach. I keep a bottle of 'cheap' vinegar handy which I use to clean stubborn dried dough off the rims of starter jars/fingers etc. It works like 'magic'. Rub on, rinse off, done. Sometimes when discard starter stored in the fridge in a mason jar rises and glues the lid on, my arthritic hands can't cope. Then I up-end the jar to soak in vinegar and the lid soon comes loose.

My father was a baker and a fond memory is of the tiny pieces of dough caught on his arm hair when I visited the bakehouse, seemed to symbolize his hard and enthusiastic work. I may be imaging things but I think he sometimes burnt it - he was probably just teasing us kids. I never saw it away from the bakehouse, but I've no idea how he removed it.

So, some suggest olive oil.  Some suggest vinegar.  Perhaps if I use both and add a little garlic and herbs, we can just rub veggies on my arms for a nice hairy vinaigrette?

I appreciate all the tips, serious and otherwise.  I guess I share the concern about the gloves, even veterinary latex, interfering with the tactile experience.  

I think the ticket might be oil up to the wrists for the initial mixing, and if I get dough boogers on my forearms, elbows or elsewhere, I'll try a vinegar sponge bath.  Or maybe creme rinse.  I bet in San Francisco I can find a hair salon that does arm comb-outs.

Glenn

Those disposable OB gloves in Veterinary catalogs are huge-I bought some for my alpaca farm but don't use them because my hands (above average for an adult woman) don't fit the gloves at all.  I imagine if I tried to work with sticky dough while wearing those gloves, the gloves would come right off with much of the dough still attached!  

BTW, do you own a dog? I know mine would volunteer for cleanup duty:>)

EvaGal

How about water? From a very hairy guy, Wet down your arms before you start, then wash them when done. Never a problem for me. I think if it was a big problem the gloves would be common.

allan

Or running sleeves.  Wear them wet or floured to avoid sticking to the dough.  Wash by soaking in cold water first.

I'm a believer in re-purposing things we already have. So how about a pair of clean tube socks being sacrificed as arm covers? Cut off the end,Slip on up your arm and anything that gets stuck can be laundered.

At first when I read this post, I was intrigued.  Now I'm not so sure.  Between the visual picture of wads of arm hair, hairy italian ladies or smelly tube socks I'm starting to worry about you people.  ROFL

Trust me, I'm laughing right now.. the oddest things you read on a bread baking forum.  Hahahaha