Choosing the right disposable gloves can be a little overwhelming. What’s the best thickness? Which glove is best for cleaning, car maintenance, or cooking? If you were wondering where to buy disposable gloves, count on Zoro.com. We offer a full assortment of styles and materials to protect hands and avoid the spread of bacteria and germs.
Some important factors to consider when choosing a disposable glove are materials, thickness, and comfort.
Materials
Nitrile
- Pros: made from synthetic rubber; latex free; superior puncture resistance; high level of sensitivity; naturally resists oil
- Cons: Thin material
- Uses: Medical and healthcare, food service, cleaning, janitorial, industrial
Latex
- Pros: high level of sensitivity and dexterity; strong barrier against chemicals, blood, and fluids; biodegradable
- Cons: potential for allergies to latex proteins
- Uses: Automotive, cleaning, janitorial, industrial, food service
Natural Rubber Latex
- Pros: Less susceptible to material breakdown and leakage; comfortable because of elasticity; biodegradable
- Cons: potential for allergies to latex proteins
- Uses: Automotive, cleaning, janitorial, industrial, food service
Vinyl
- Pros: Latex free; good for short-term, low-risk tasks
- Cons: Natural body oils can break down the glove material; susceptible to material breakdown and leakage; not biodegradable; low comfort
- Uses: Cleaning, janitorial, food service
Polyethylene
- Pros: Latex free; lightweight and breathable
- Cons: Not ideal for work with hazardous materials
- Uses: Light-duty tasks, food service
Neoprene
- Pros: Latex free; heavy-duty; stays flexible in a wide variety of temperatures; resists degradation better than natural or synthetic rubber; resistant to water and many chemicals
- Cons: Less flexible than other materials; more expensive
- Uses: Manufacturing, laboratory, medical
Thickness
Glove thickness is measured in mils. Gloves with fewer mils have greater dexterity and flexibility. Ones with more mils are more durable and more resistant to punctures. (1 mil = 0.001 gauge)
Comfort
Powder Free
Powder-free gloves are put through a chlorination process. This means they are treated with a chlorine solution, rinsed, and dried to eliminate the powdered residue.
- Pros: Ideal option for people with allergies or sensitivities to powdered gloves
- Cons: Harder to put on and remove; more expensive
Powdered
- Pros: Uses cornstarch powder to help absorb sweat; generally easier to put on
- Cons: May cause allergic reactions; may cling to skin after prolonged use
Useful Information
Wearing gloves is an important step in maintaining a healthy workplace, but is not enough to prevent the spread of bacteria or pathogens.
It’s important to wash hands before and after using gloves. This includes washing hands before putting on a new pair of gloves to prevent the spread of bacteria that may have come in contact with bare hands.
Gloves should also be checked for rips or tears before wearing, and should be removed immediately if they are cut or torn.
Washing, reusing, or sharing disposable gloves is not recommended. They are designed for single use. Washing can cause damage and may not be effective against the removal of harmful bacteria.
Related Categories
General Purpose Disposable Gloves
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.