Wear latex gloves too, that helps a lot because you can touch the bulb all you want. Thats what I did anyway. I also wiped my bulbs down with alcohol before putting them in.. I felt they looked a little dirty and looked much better after cleaning with alcohol. That should extend the bulbs life.. Plus you don't know who might have touched them before you got them. Just be careful putting the gloves on, that you don't get your finger oils onto the glove itself.