How to Choose the Right Type of Disposable Gloves

Disposable gloves are an important product in the healthcare context. They protect healthcare workers and patients from exposure to potentially dangerous bacteria. Today, they enjoy applications in almost every aspect of life.

One thing you may not know is that not all disposable gloves are the same. Therefore, you need to know how to choose the right type of disposable gloves to use. For different settings, your design and material choices require certain products to be more suitable.

By buying the wrong gloves, you can end up wasting time. The risk of tears and punctures also increases when wearing the wrong glove.

Generally speaking, one of three products is important to making disposable gloves. They are nitrile, latex, or vinyl. We will explore how to select disposable gloves in this blog. For each type, we will also provide recommendations on the best time to use each type of disposable gloves.

We will explore the differences between vinyl and latex gloves. You will discover what makes special nitrile gloves. In the end, you will be familiar with the best kinds of disposable gloves to buy.

Defining Vinyl Gloves

Disposable gloves made from synthetic rubber or PVC are vinyl gloves. This PVC’s presence makes them very cheap to manufacture. Therefore, they are one of the more affordable types of disposable gloves.

Additionally, they do not cause any allergies due to their synthetic nature. This variation between vinyl and latex gloves makes them a common alternative. So if you have a latex allergy and are wondering how to choose disposable gloves, vinyl is the best option for you.

Vinyl gloves are also best if you work in the food industry. This is because of their sustainability in the short run. They do not last long and are more likely to succumb to punctures quickly.

When you wear vinyl gloves, they do offer a loose fit. In a way, this can be helpful since it quickly lets air flow in. This way, your hands will not sweat easily under the material.

Are you running a restaurant? For your kitchen staff, these are the perfect type of disposable gloves. When preparing food, it can be an ideal choice. For the purposes listed above, food trucks and bartenders also use them.

Features of Latex Gloves

Latex gloves are made from rubber of natural origin. They are comparatively inexpensive to buy. They also have natural properties that give them a high degree of sensitivity to touch. This makes latex gloves perfect for the manufacturing and medical sectors.

They fit comfortably on the hands and are soft on the skin. You may have guessed it but this feature is important for picking the best disposable gloves. They are also easy to put on and wear.

However, some people may have allergic properties to latex gloves. The glove’s natural proteins can cause skin irritation. When finding the best kind of disposable gloves, this is a big consideration.

When to use latex gloves

Away from the possible allergic reactions, latex gloves are highly durable gloves. Additionally, they are effective against infectious agents and bacteria.

Therefore, they are the right kind of protective gloves to use in hazardous surroundings. This can also factor in your decision to choose the right type of disposable gloves. The latex is super tough on germs and viruses and can be cleaned quickly.

They are lightweight and most times feel like a second skin. Latex gloves are equally elastic and durable. Furthermore, they can. spread over a large distance without tearing. Lastly, they are biodegradable — a plus for the environment.

Related Article: Latex Disposable Gloves: Features, Efficacy, Benefits

What are Nitrile Gloves?

More recently, nitrile gloves have become a common alternative to disposable gloves. Similar to vinyl gloves, they are made from synthetic rubber. When choosing the correct kind of disposable gloves, they are a more modern choice.

When to use nitrile gloves

Of all three glove options, they are incredibly puncture resistant. They are a favourite for conducting surgeries in surgical theatres. This is because they have high resistance against sharp points.

Nitrile gloves are also latex-free and do not contain any vinyl glove-like allergies. Hence, it is possible to wear them without thinking about skin sensitivity.

Besides, they have a very long shelf life. This makes them the best types of disposable gloves if you’re looking for longevity.

Typically, they come in the colour blue. This is to ensure you can detect punctures quickly. A new pair of gloves may be worn once this happens.

Furthermore, they are excellent for use in labs. They have high resistance to corrosive chemicals. This makes them perfect in the lab for performing research safely.

How to Choose the Right Type of Disposable Gloves

In the table below, we will highlight the independent pros and cons of each glove. This way you can decide how to choose the right disposable glove for yourself. Thereby, ensuring the proper use of the appropriate glove for the corresponding environment.

Which Type of Disposable Gloves is Best for You?

With the variations between all the three gloves present, you may need more emphasis. You may still be unaware of which disposable glove to buy. It is necessary to remember that you can also have all three choices of gloves available. This is to make sure you are ready for any situation you might find yourself in.

For instance, say you have to manage your home as a person residing in a house. Latex gloves perform well for doing house chores, such as shifting furniture or dishwashing. They offer great protection against grime and debris.

If you need to deal with food goods in the kitchen, you can use vinyl gloves. They are easy to switch and dispose of when handling multiple ingredients.

Next, nitrile gloves perform better when dealing with corrosive materials such as bleach or vehicle battery acid. They are sterile and will not engage in chemical reactions. They also do not puncture easily and can be useful when working with engines.

Alternative Glove Options Available

The above three gloves aren’t the final options in the market. There are activity-specific gloves that you can purchase as well. These alternatives serve to function for particular needs.

Chlorinated Gloves

These gloves are powder-free and have been treated with chlorine. They are highly sterile and convenient to wear. They are excellent for health and medical use. However, they do not have a long shelf life and quickly break down over time.

Non-Chlorinated Gloves

They are neutral in colour. Owing to the absence of chlorination, they have no odour. However, they can be difficult to put on. Vinyl gloves are the bulk of non-chlorinated gloves.

Examination and Surgical Gloves

These are the best type of disposable gloves for surgical procedures. Many of the benefits of nitrile gloves come from these gloves. These gloves are a favourite of physicians and surgeons.

Powdered Gloves

By default, most of the gloves you will purchase will come with powder. This powder is made from corn starch. This helps the gloves to be worn more easily. It also helps the hands to hold on longer. The powder leaves a stain on the palms, however, and you may be allergic to the corn starch.

Non-Powdered Gloves

This alternative is less common. It is generally alleged to be cleaner. They leave no sign of residue on their skin. However, owing to the method of extracting the default powder from the glove, they are more expensive.

Aloe Gloves

These gloves have some aloe gel inside them. The gel helps to keep the hands hydrated during use. When you remove the gloves, it is also possible to rub the aloe residue to moisturize the palms.

Oatmeal Gloves

These gloves, similar to aloe gloves, also help avoid dry skin. They’re equally easy to put on. However, it may not be adequate for persons on gluten-free diets.

Necessary Tips for using Disposable Gloves

When you’ve got your gloves on, take care of the minor mistakes that can happen. It won’t matter if you choose the right type of disposable glove and ignore these tips.

• Never clean or reuse gloves
• Alter gloves between activities
• Switch gloves if you sneeze or cough in them
• Always use new gloves once you notice a tear or puncture.
• Do not wear the same pair of gloves for three hours or more.

Related Article: Poly Gloves Pricing Guide: All You Need to Know

Conclusion

You are now familiar with the significant distinctions in gloves made of vinyl, latex and nitrile. In the kitchen, use your vinyl gloves.  Prioritize your latex gloves for handiwork. Furthermore, when handling dangerous chemicals take advantage of the nitrile gloves.

Here at Buy Gloves, our online store is home to different types of disposable gloves. We sell high-quality vinyl, latex and nitrile gloves to service all of your needs. Look through our online collection today!