What Are Marigolds in England? A Look at the Popular Glove Brand

Marigolds are practically synonymous with rubber gloves in England, but why is a flower the name for a cleaning product? The history behind this peculiar brand name is an interesting one In this article, we’ll explore the origins of the Marigold brand, its significance in English culture, and some fun facts about the beloved gloves

A Bit of Backstory

Marigold Industrial Gloves was founded in 1937 by Joseph Jackson. He started developing rubber gloves that were specifically designed for washing up and cleaning. Up until then, most rubber gloves were industrial and medical gloves not really intended for housework. Jackson saw an opportunity to create gloves to protect hands from hot water and harsh cleaners.

In 1947, the first Marigold latex rubber gloves for domestic use were launched in the UK. The brand pioneered this new type of glove and they became an instant hit with housewives and maids The rubber latex provided excellent protection despite being thin and pliable.

Marigold revolutionised home cleaning and soon dominated the British glove market. The name Marigold was chosen since marigolds are a cheery, bright flower that symbolised the colourful and upbeat branding Jackson wanted. The flower connoted happiness and optimism.

Popularity and Cultural Significance

Since their launch, Marigold gloves have been the top household glove brand in the UK. They are found in millions of homes and are considered a staple cleaning supply. To this day, “Marigold” is used as a generic term for any rubber washing up glove.

The gloves have great cultural resonance and nostalgia for Brits They represent the classic image of a 1950s housewife with her yellow washing up gloves on. For many, they are symbolic of traditional English domesticity and old-fashioned cleaning methods

Marigold gloves are also often depicted in pop culture referencing retro British life. The brand has appeared in films, TV shows, books, advertisements and more. They are an icon of middle class English heritage.

Fun Facts About Marigolds

• Marigold gloves were one of the sponsors for Coronation Street, the popular British soap opera that first aired in 1960.

• There is a Guinness World Record for wearing 42 pairs of Marigolds at once! A woman named Sheila Parkin accomplished this in 2005.

• During WWII rubber was rationed, so Marigold had to make gloves using leftover scraps of rubber mixed with papier-mâché.

• Marigolds used to be the standard issue washing up gloves for policemen and even for some prisoners doing kitchen duty!

• Queen Elizabeth II was given a pair of Marigolds during a visit to the Colchester factory in 1957. She did not actually wear them though.

• In the 1990s, Marigold ran an advertising campaign featuring TV personality Fred Dinenage with the slogan “Do the Dinenage, you know it makes sense.”

• Marigolds have featured in movies like Calendar Girls and TV shows like Keeping Up Appearances.

• There are special Marigold gloves with grip dots on fingers and palms for opening jars.

• During the Covid-19 pandemic, Marigold saw a huge boost in sales as people focused on home hygiene. Sales jumped 23% in 2020.

• Marigolds now come in various styles including latex, nitrile, chlorine resistant, extra grip, and even gloves for gardening.

• Popular British slang terms for Marigolds include “marleys,” “rubbers,” and “yellow gloves.”

• The gloves got their name because marigolds are one of the most popular flowers grown in English gardens.

• The first Marigold packaging featured an image of a woman with marigolds in her garden.

• Marigold products are manufactured in factories in China, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Over 4 million glove pairs are produced each day.