When it comes to buying gloves, the standard options you are always presented with include nitrile, latex, and vinyl.
Latex has been a common choice for many people looking for disposable gloves. But, many restaurants and professionals are now shifting from latex to vinyl for a variety of reasons.
Vinyl exam gloves come powder-free for medical or other exam use. Some are made with the look and feel of latex with a better fit at your hands, fingers, and wrists.
So, if you are looking for disposable gloves, there are several reasons vinyl options make the perfect pick.
Read on to learn more about gloves made from vinyl.
What is Vinyl?
Vinyl is a synthetic non-biodegradable material for making gloves, and it's made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Nitrile gloves are also made from synthetic materials, but the use of PVC monomers in vinyl gloves makes them cost-effective.
Plasticizers are added to vinyl when making gloves to make the soft and flexible. Even though vinyl is smooth and comfortable, its elasticity is low compared to nitrile and latex.
Still, they are a good choice when dealing with non-hazardous situations such as cleaning, food contamination, and hair dyes.
Here are several practical reasons you should consider using vinyl.
1. Sturdiness
Vinyl is popular for its sturdiness and resistance to abrasions. It is manufactured in such as a way that it allows versatility and stretch. These gloves can hold up against general wear and tear, punctures, and effects of overstretching.
You can use them for healthcare tasks to protect the hands from contaminations. However, they might not be ideal for urgent tasks, such as surgical operations, due to splitting under pressure and extended use.
There are different grades of gloves made from vinyl. So, if health and contamination are concerns, you can opt for a degree that is best suited for the task at hand. For instance, those who prefer vinyl for medical use should consider options with 4mil or more thickness.
2. Designed for Various Industries
When using these gloves, you are not limited to a single option. Through extended research, manufactures have been able to come up with different vinyl gloves for various applications.
- Food service: Those working in commercial food services, such as catering, restaurants, grocers and food processing can find great options for handling food.
- Industrial use: Gloves for industrial use need extra strength to withstand the different chemicals and oils. Manufacturing and machining plants can benefit from vinyl options
- Medical gloves: Services that deal with child care, senior care and medical institutions can find ideal options that are dependable and perfect for daily use. For medical purposes, exam grade options are usually recommended.
- Janitorial services: These gloves are the most commonly used in sanitation and janitorial services. They provide extra protection against bacteria to avoid possible growth of microorganisms.
Due to the anti-static nature of these gloves, you can use them when working with wires and cords.
This means that you can choose an option that suits your task and industry for better performance and convenience.
3. Great Option for Those With Allergies
There have been various substantiated reports that latex causes certain allergic reactions to some people. Typically, the symptoms usually begin about five minutes after exposure to products that have latex.
Some of these signs include itching, swelling, and redness of the skin. The most severe symptom is anaphylaxis, which is characterized by difficulty breathing and decrease in blood pressure.
For this reason, vinyl gloves are recommended alternatives for people with latex allergy. These gloves are made from polyvinyl chloride, which is one of the widely use material in the manufacture of protective gloves.
Polyvinyl chloride is allergen-free thus a better alternative to gloves made from natural rubber.
4. Inexpensive Options
If you are looking for cost-friendly yet reliable gloves, you can opt for those made from vinyl. For example, gloves made from nitrile and latex can almost double the price of vinyl.
Vinyl gloves are great for those looking for a bulk purchase thus people working in salons, auto mechanics, food handling services, tattoo shops, and plumbing services can gain savings.
Additionally, it's the first synthetic material that is available to consumers who need gloves for regular use.
5. Available in Powder-Free Options
If you don't want gloves that leave behind messy residues, you can opt for powder-free vinyl gloves. This is great when you are handling wet paint and adhesives.
Powder-free gloves feature a polymer or chlorinated finish to ensure a smooth feel when wearing or removing them. They also come with a beaded cuff at the base to prevent tearing or ripping at the wrist.
How to Choose Vinyl Gloves
There are several pointers to bear in mind when selecting the right gloves. First, you need to consider the use and industry application. Luckily, this has been made easier for you with the grading system and cut-resistant levels of gloves.
To pick the correct size, ensure to use a size chart to find an option that fits your hands. It is also worth measuring the size of your hands if you are uncertain.
Vinyl is available is varied color options for both medical and industrial applications. Color coding is also used to differentiate sizes and to prevent cross contamination.
For example, in food handling, blue gloves can be used to handle poultry, and clear gloves are usually recommended for vegetables.
The most common colors for vinyl include clear, blue and ivory.
The Bottom Line
Vinyl gloves are multipurpose gloves that are great for different applications. PVC is known to be a cheap option compared to rubber.
Nowadays, manufacturers add plasticizers and elastomers when making the gloves to give them the feel of rubber. Thus, they are great options for those working in cost-sensitive areas such as public hospitals.
Ensure to take ample time in weighing your needs before choosing the right gloves.