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ByLeo Victor

Disposable Gloves Buying Guide: Nitrile vs Vinyl vs Latex vs TPE Gloves

Ever since Dr. William Stewart Halstead started relying on rubber gloves for protection at John Hopkins Hospital back in 1889, gloves have been an effective type of personal protective equipment, serving various industry workers across the globe. They were originally developed to prevent rashes from handling harmful medical chemicals, and have evolved into various forms to protect workers in various fields. 

Nowadays, they’re useful in a wide array of industries to protect from harmful skin-penetrating germs or other hazards. Furthermore, they lower the chances of contamination or infection if used properly. In certain industries, people rely on this personal protective equipment for whole workdays.

These are some industries where you would see constant use of disposable gloves:

  • Medical field
  • Dentistry field
  • Waste management
  • Food service (i.e. cafeteria staff)
  • Cleaning/sanitation
  • Maintenance and mechanics
  • Photography
  • Museums/art galleries

Beyond these workplaces, these bulk gloves are helpful in the home for these purposes:

  • Cleaning/disinfection
  • Handling surfaces, screens, or glassware where you don’t want to leave fingerprints
  • Helping a sick person in the house
  • Touching any bodily fluids like blood or saliva

In these spaces, it’s easy to go through tens of pairs of gloves, as you must remove a pair after touching one contaminant and put on a new set, so nothing is spread. This is why it’s necessary to opt for bulk gloves when searching for your office, hospital, or home supply.

How Do You Choose Disposable Gloves?

Those relying on gloves must often wear them for an extended period of time. Poor quality-gloves could be damaging to the skin or break easily, risking your own contamination and possibly harming those around you through direct skin contact. The many industries that rely heavily on this personal protective equipment need to ensure they are using the best bulk gloves available. 

A lot of harm can be done if your disposable gloves aren’t up to standard to help you carry out your daily duties. This is why you must ensure you are using the proper materials to keep yourself and others safe. That means considering what your job force entails, the harmful contaminants that you are facing, and the density, fabric, coloring, and other tailored features that you need in your workplace disposable glove supply.

Review these following glove types and how they may suit your field. Remember not to settle for whatever works for everyone. Look for options that can be selected according to whatever your industry work entails. 

How Do You Determine Your Disposable Glove Size?

You can find your disposable glove size by measuring across your palm as pictured below. Use the chart below for reference on which size of disposable gloves you need:

Disposable Gloves Sizing Chart

What Are the Best Disposable Gloves For Your Protection?

Where To Buy Nitrile gloves

Nitrile Disposable Gloves

Fun fact: Nitrile is the most commonly used material for contemporary glove use. This option entered the market in the mid-90s as an alternative to pre-existing latex gloves, which was a major boon to those with latex allergies.

Disposable nitrile gloves have been useful for those needing chemical resistance, including substances like pesticides, acids, grease, and gasoline. This material is tougher to puncture and durable for long-wear use. They are strong and tear-resistant with grip technology that allows proper handling of tools during your workday duties.

As many glove wearers face irritation problems with materials like rubber or latex, disposable nitrile  gloves are a risk-free, comfortable solution. The above models are also powder-free, so there will not be any debris left as you get through your workday. This allergen-free option allows you to face the day without any discomfort.  

Best for: mechanics, food handlers, medical and dental professionals, beauty salon employees, gardeners, and more. 

Nitrile gloves come in various sizes, colors and thicknesses, so you need to select according to your workplace environment and safety standards. You can choose between the common blue, light blue, purple or black. These also come in differing sizes from XS-XXL for the range of hand sizes working in the office. 

Most importantly, you need to choose their thickness to protect you and your coworkers from various harmful substances based on your industry. From under 4 mil to over 6 mil, you can decide whether you need your gloves thinner or thicker, so the chemicals have less chance of leaking through. 

Disposable Nitrile Glove In Bulk


Disposable Vinyl Gloves

Where to Buy Vinyl GlovesThese latex and powder-free vinyl disposable gloves are a classic go-to for those with allergies or wanting to avoid leaving traces on the surfaces they touch. While these are not medical-grade gloves, they are a thinner, disposable option with a low risk of skin irritation and low costs. The synthetic rubber material makes these effective for workers or individuals who want to avoid coming in contact with germs, dusty surfaces, or other non-dangerous settings. They mold to the hand, which helps with movement while wearing them.

Best for: Salon workers, food prep staff, custodians, industrial employees, or ordinary citizens in public places or cleaning the home

Vinyl disposable gloves come in bulk values of 100s. The benefit of purchasing these bulk gloves is that they are available to be ordered in varying sizes from XS to XXL according to your team’s needs. By customizing your glove order, you can ensure workers can function without the hassle or annoyance of wearing personal protective equipment that’s too small or too loose.

Disposable Vinyl Gloves in Bulk


Latex Gloves

Latex gloves are another rubber synthetic option for medium-level duties. For that reason, they’re durable and difficult to puncture, keeping the skin safe from bacteria, contaminants, and mess. 

These disposable latex gloves fit your hand well, which allows easy handling of materials while wearing them. They will last during long episodes of wear for those performing extended tasks in their industry.

Best for: tattooists, surgeons, mechanics, home cleaners, plumbers, chemists

Latex gloves can come in varying thickness levels and armlengths, which can protect hands and arms from harmful exposure.


TPE Disposable Gloves in BulkTPE Gloves

TPE gloves, or thermoplastic elastomer gloves, are a new innovative form of disposable gloves entering the market. They are a thinner material with a smooth, soft surface for touching surfaces. These disposable gloves were stretchy and elasticized like rubber, making TPE gloves durable for workers to wear at extended periods. 

The thermoplastic elastomer technology of TPE gloves causes the material to mold to the heat source, like your fingers, so it fits your hands well and allows dexterity when working. 

Best for: food industry workers or those seeking a lower-priced poly glove alternative

TPE gloves are lighter-weight and less costly for businesses to buy in bulk. These bulk gloves offer elevated benefits from vinyl options when it comes to handling or prepping food, especially. 

TPE Gloves Wholesale


Keeping You Safe from Contamination

This personal protective equipment is, in fact, proven effective for shielding yourself or your customers/ patients. However, that’s not the case if they are misused. 

That is why it’s important to follow these instructions when using disposable gloves: 

  1. Wash and sanitize your hands 
  2. Place glove over your hands, ensure all fingers fit snug 
  3. Carry on your necessary task that may involve handling harmful substances or bodily fluids that you wouldn’t want to touch or seep through your skin
  4. Pull gloves off, one at a time
  5. Grip the wrist-end of your glove, pull it off toward your fingertips, so it turns inside-out, and is eventually off of your hand
  6. Pull off your next glove using the same method
  7. Toss your gloves away in a contact-free garbage receptacle
  8. Wash and sanitize your hands again

Dangers of Not Wearing Personal Protective Equipment

If you do not properly wear your gloves, you could be at high risk. A puncture could cause cuts or scrapes which are exposed to the chemicals and other bodily fluids that you’re handling in your workplace. This could lead to infection and disease that may be life-threatening in some extreme cases. 

Neglecting to wear bulk gloves that offer protection from harmful toxins or bacteria could be dangerous if you are in the presence of someone who is medically unwell. If in a hospital, directly contact with someone who is sick and then carrying the germs to another patient could lead to an entire outbreak, with yourself as one of its victims. If dealing with people with weak immune systems, this could put their lives at risk. 

This could also happen in the case of food handlers. If they have germs on their hands or touch foods like chicken, which could carry salmonella and other bacteria, and then touch other foods and use their hands to serve it, people could end up very sick. 

If providing a service like surgery, tattooing, or other services involving piercing the skin or going deeper into the body, your lack of protective gloves could infect your customers or patients, which could lead to life-impairing problems, including sepsis

Where Can You Buy Disposable Gloves in Bulk?

iPromo is your trusted supplier for disposable gloves in bulk. We have Nitrile, Vinyl and TPE disposable gloves in stock and ready to ship where you need them. All gloves are available in various sizes, colors and thicknesses (for nitrile gloves) to fit your specific needs and industry. Reach out today for a quick quote on any of our disposable gloves in bulk.