Gloves

Gloves are used in a wide variety of industries, from restaurant businesses to the medical field. Whether you’re ordering gloves for your business or you want them for around the home, it’s important to know the difference between the different gloves on the market to choose those that are going to work best for your purposes.

Not all gloves are made equal, so having some around that are best suited for the task at hand and designed to be durable enough to withstand what you are going to put them through can be a challenge that requires a little bit of effort to accomplish, but that is well worth it in the long run.

Some of the most popular types of gloves on the market include latex, nitrile, and vinyl gloves. Let’s take a closer look at each of them to understand the differences and help make your decision easier.

Latex Gloves

Latex GlovesA popular glove choice, latex gloves are made from rubber. Common in medical and industrial use, latex gloves are chosen over the other types of gloves available so often because they are more comfortable and offer more dexterity than nitrile gloves.

These gloves fit like a second skin, offer a great level of sensitivity to touch, are suited to wear for long periods of time, and offer good protection in high-risk scenarios, such as those involving infectious materials. These are a cost-effective option as they are very cheap to produce, while still offering the strengths and elasticity many look for in their gloves. Finally, they’re even biodegradable.

The biggest reason people choose not to use latex gloves? Many people have latex allergies. While they make a great choice when allergies are not a concern, it’s important to ensure those who will be using them do not suffer from latex allergies or offer an alternative glove option for those who do.

Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile GlovesNitrile gloves are manufactured from a synthetic rubber, and make for an excellent glove alternative for those who have latex allergies. Nitrile gloves are superior in providing resistance to punctures, and are often called “medical grade.”

Suitable for those who are allergic to latex, these gloves offer a high sensitivity level, mold to the user’s hand well, and are suited for long periods of wear. Like latex gloves, they offer the protection needed when dealing with high-risk situations such as those that involve infectious material, and they are resistant to many chemicals as well. Finally, they have a long shelf life.

Vinyl Gloves

Vinyl GlovesLast but not least are vinyl gloves. These are a popular option in the food industry and other situations in which durability is not as much of an issue. To compensate for decreased durability, these gloves are far less expensive. This latex-free option offers a looser fit and are suited for low-risk, short-term tasks. The most economic option of the three, if you are not concerned about increased durability or protection, vinyl gloves are a great choice for you!

The Verdict

If you’re looking for dental gloves or gloves for any other purpose, hopefully this article has helped to guide you in the right direction and make the decision that is right for you! In short, if the task you are looking to complete involves non-hazardous materials and is low-risk and short-term, then you’re in luck! Vinyl gloves are the ideal option for you and are extremely cost-effective.

However, in terms of those situations that call for long time of wear, increased protection, and more—such as in the medical field—its best to get either latex gloves or nitrile gloves, depending on if a latex allergy is a concern for you or where the gloves are going to be used.

By considering the above information, you should be sure to find the right gloves for your intended purpose. Best of luck making the decision that’s right for you and getting the gloves right for the task that you will be using them for!