From a typical consumer’s perspective, all disposable gloves are the same. However, not every situation is similar, nor are all hand protection products. It would be best to consider various factors when choosing disposable gloves, depending on the situation.
Similar to choosing a disposable face mask to use, it would be best to consider various factors when choosing disposable gloves, depending on the situation. While some jobs may require a particular degree of tactile sensitivity, others need a high degree of resistance to various surfaces or even chemicals. So, to help you find the best gloves for you, here are a few factors that you need to consider.
Essential factors to consider when choosing disposable gloves
Material
One of the first factors you need to consider when choosing disposable gloves is the material. Manufacturers use various kinds of resources, ranging from latex and vinyl to nylon. Let’s look at each of them and see how these materials play an essential role in every scenario.
Latex Gloves
Latex is a common choice in both the industrial and medical industries. Given its elasticity and durability, latex has high tolerance when handling caustic substances and even detergent.
However, one of the biggest challenges of wearing latex gloves is allergic reactions. So, before you wear one, be sure that you are not allergic to such materials.
Vinyl Gloves
Vinyl gloves are standard in both food preparation and healthcare services. What’s great about these gloves is that you can use them immediately when you need to put the gloves on and take them off in short periods.
Also, vinyl gloves are an affordable alternative to latex without compromising your safety. Both materials offer excellent protection against chemicals and contaminants. However, unlike latex, most people don’t have any allergic reactions when wearing vinyl gloves.
Poly Gloves
Another affordable choice that you can consider is poly gloves. These are highly suitable for food preparation or jobs requiring workers to change their gloves often. Poly gloves are also a cost-effective solution for people who need to keep their bare hands separate when preparing food.
Poly gloves offer various fit options. It’s best to check which sizes will fit you or your employees. This type of gloves also has latex-free and powder options, which can work well with those allergic to latex.
Nitrile
Nitrile black disposable gloves are another excellent alternative to latex. Although they are less elastic than natural rubber latex, they have higher durability and chemical resistance. Nitrile gloves also have exceptionally high puncture resistance, but they’re prone to shredding once they are torn.
Usage
Another essential factor you need to consider when choosing disposable gloves is their usage. Disposable gloves have two primary categories based on usage: general purpose and medical or industrial grade.
To ensure that disposable hospital gloves fit the medical industry, they primarily undergo tests to measure their leak and puncture resistance and elasticity. The gloves should have an acceptable quality level of 1.5% to meet the medical-grade requirements.
Size and fit
Size dramatically impacts a person’s dexterity and comfort. Loose-fitting gloves are uncomfortable to use and are highly prone to slippage. This also increases microbial contamination, which can put the user at risk. On the other hand, tight gloves can heavily affect the wearer’s dexterity and cause significant discomfort, as well as hand fatigue, when in use.
Quality
Although they may be disposable, you should still consider the quality of your gloves. You need to check if the gloves you’re buying are made of quality material and can offer complete protection without any failure when being used. Otherwise, the primary purpose of wearing gloves will be lost.
Price
Pricing is another crucial aspect you need to consider when buying disposable gloves. You should find a pair that balances the price and the quality to ensure that you’re getting the most out of it.
Keep in mind that the cost of disposable gloves can vary depending on the quantity and quality you are about to order. Therefore, you should thoroughly compare each item to get the most value for your money.
Protection
Whatever your reason for purchasing a pair of gloves, it should serve its purpose well. The gloves should provide you with utmost protection when dealing with various surfaces and chemicals. They should protect you from any contamination.
To gauge the gloves’ level of protection, you need to consider their thickness and tensile strength. It’s also best to check their resistance to puncture and tearing.
Service Grade
Although it may not seem like it, it’s also essential to check the disposable gloves’ service grade. Disposable gloves have distinct purposes based on a particular industry.
Unless stated, most disposable gloves are single-use. Therefore, you need to avoid reusing them. Also, refrain from using damaged or torn gloves as they wouldn’t provide any form of protection.
Finishes
With the increasing popularity of powder-free gloves, more companies are now using chlorination and polymer coating as finishing methods to boost the donning and doffing of disposable gloves. Chlorination also improves the product’s resistance to slippage. This makes the gloves highly effective in both industrial and healthcare settings.
The Bottom line
These are only a few aspects that you need to consider when buying disposable gloves. Remember that no matter the size or nature of your tasks, you need to find the suitable gloves that best fit your needs.
With the many options available online, you can guarantee that you’ll find the right pair of disposable gloves that’ll become a part of your necessities. So, don’t be afraid to make comparisons to ensure that you only get the best.