You probably have a pair of winter gloves, but how about rubber gloves? After the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more common than ever before to see people wearing a pair on their hands, even outside of healthcare. Unless you’re a medical expert, you might not realize that there are many different types of rubber gloves.
Even though we here at Quality Logo Products are not doctors, we do sell over 45,000 wholesale boxes of nitrile gloves every year. Medical offices, stores, restaurants, schools, and many other companies order these gloves in bulk for their employees to use. It’s very common for them to feel unsure as to which type of gloves to order. After all, it’s not every day that you buy rubber gloves.
Let’s look into the history of rubber gloves, what they’re used for, and how they can help fight off bacteria and viruses. Think of this as your ultimate guide to rubber gloves. You’ll find everything you need to know!
Who Invented Rubber Gloves?
Rubber gloves were first invented by William Stewart Halsted in 1894. This was perfect timing as in the next few years influenza, cholera, and the Spanish flu would all be serious pandemics throughout the world.
This timeline shows the history of rubber gloves from the 19th century to today!
William Stewart Halsted, the surgeon-in-chief at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, created the first pair of latex surgical gloves. Latex has since been banned in medical facilities due to the fact that roughly 6% of the population and 15% of healthcare workers are allergic to the material.
After prolonged wear, rubber gloves would cause itchy and dry hands. Manufacturers tried to solve this problem by lubricating the gloves with a mixture of ground moss and talcum powder. The problem? The moss was poisonous to human skin!
The first pair of disposable gloves were manufactured by the Ansell Rubber Company. Disposable options are now standard in medical facilities around the world.
Demand for rubber gloves was greater than ever with the rise of HIV in the United States. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OHSA) made it mandatory to wear them in hospitals, which caused an influx in suppliers and new materials like nitrile and vinyl.
Talcum powder was banned from being used in rubber gloves, and for good reason. It was notorious for causing inflammation and scarring after surgeries.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has made rubber gloves and hand sanitizer essential items, so a student in Bengal wisely combined both together. It’s like Spider-Man’s web shooter, but with a practical twist!
It took a lot of trial and error to find safe rubber gloves for hospitals at a time when they were desperately needed. Case in point, there was a 50% mortality risk if you had surgery! Thankfully, we seem to have finally found the right formula and are wearing good pairs of gloves today.
Did you know?
William Halsted’s wife was the first nurse to test out rubber gloves in the operating room at Johns Hopkins Hospital. This was not out of concern for patient safety, but because she wanted to protect her hands from harsh disinfectants.
What is the Use of Rubber Gloves?
Rubber gloves have come a long way since they were first invented in 1894. They have a “hand” in just about everything, whether it’s getting a tooth pulled, cleaning the dishes, or even solving major crimes.
You can use rubber gloves for the following:
Medical use
Food prep
Cleaning
Salons & spas
Automotive work
Construction
Security & police investigations
Manufacturing
Laboratories
Gardening & outdoor work
Child care
Tattoos & art projects
Medical Use
Dentists, doctors, pharmacists, EMTs, vets, and many other healthcare workers have gloves ready to go at all times. It’s the best way to keep everyone safe from catching any contagious illnesses.
Food Prep
How gross would it be to have your meal made by a chef who wasn’t wearing gloves? Rubber gloves are a must at restaurants, bars, hotels, and any other place with food to serve.
Cleaning
Janitorial and custodial services rely on rubber gloves every day, but you can also use them for cleaning at home. They’re particularly handy for dishes, washing your car, scrubbing floors, and without a doubt, cleaning the bathroom.
Salons & Spas
Your stylist is likely going to be wearing rubber gloves, whether you’re getting a manicure or a new hair color. Gloves are also useful for spa services like facial masks and massages.
Automotive Work
A mechanic’s hands are often coated with oil and grime from working on cars all day. It’s easier to keep things clean with rubber gloves in the garage.
Construction
It’s not uncommon for construction workers to deal with cement, PVC, sawdust, and other materials. Putting gloves on before a day of work helps cut down on burns and other injuries.
Security & Police Investigations
If you’ve ever watched CSI or listened to a true crime podcast, you know that touching things without gloves can corrupt an investigation. This is why police officers and detectives will wear gloves and gowns on the scene. Gloves are also used by airport security, fire marshals, and military personnel.
Manufacturing
Factory workers will often wear rubber gloves while processing and packaging products. This is much more hygienic for both the employee and the end user.
Laboratories
Scientists and technicians are busy handling a bunch of chemicals. Exposure may not be safe, which is why PPE like rubber gloves and safety goggles are needed in the lab.
Gardening & Outdoor Work
You don’t want your thumb to actually turn green! Keep your hands safe by wearing rubber gloves while you’re pulling weeds, spraying pesticides, or picking up litter.
Child Care
Employees at daycare centers and after-school programs should wear rubber gloves for certain tasks. This would include cleaning up after snack time, wiping finger paint off tables, and of course, diaper duty.
Tattoos & Art Projects
Tattoo artists will wear a pair of rubber gloves before they create your new ink, while sculptors may rock some for their next project. It all depends on the artist and what they’re creating!
Disposable gloves are designed to protect our hands from potentially dangerous materials. They work the same as face masks or sneeze guards in providing a barrier from pathogens, chemicals, oil, and many other contaminants.
Are Rubber Gloves Reusable?
Certain brands of rubber gloves are reusable, while others are disposable. Gloves that are used for gardening, cleaning, and industrial work can typically be reused, while latex or nitrile gloves, like the ones in hospitals and restaurants, have to be thrown away after a single use.
Reusable
Reusable rubber gloves cover your arm all the way to your elbow. They’re most often used for cleaning and can be washed with hot water and mild detergent. If you see the color fading, that means it’s time to find a replacement pair.
Disposable
Disposable gloves are designed for one and done use. They’re not only common in medical facilities and for food prep, but they’re also great to slip on if you have to wipe down tables, chairs, or other areas with antibacterial wipes.
Did you know?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) notes that you should never reuse disposable gloves. There may be microscopic tears in the gloves, which increase your risk of exposure to viruses.
What Are Disposable Gloves Made Of?
“Rubber gloves” is a phrase that’s often used to describe any disposable gloves. However, they’re actually made from a variety of materials. Each is a little bit different, with some more beneficial than others depending on how they’re being used.
Disposable gloves can be made from any of the following materials:
Latex
Nitrile
Vinyl
Neoprene
Polyisoprene
PVC
Latex
While not as common as they were in early medicine, latex gloves are still used today. Latex is comfortable and flexible, which makes the gloves easy to wear for auto repair and food service. They are made from natural rubber, so they also have the bonus of being biodegradable!
Pros: Eco-friendly, spacious, flexible
Cons: Causes itchiness, uncomfortable after prolonged use, people are often allergic
Nitrile
Nitrile gloves have been steadily growing in popularity. They are comfortable to wear for an extended period of time, resistant to punctures or damage, and offer great protection against many contaminants.
Pros: Form-fitting, long shelf life, resistant to punctures
Cons: Higher price tag, offers less tactile sensitivity (you can’t feel objects as easily), non-biodegradable
Vinyl
If you don’t want to buy new gloves every week, vinyl should be your best friend. This material has an insanely long shelf life and doesn’t break down easily. It’s also cheap to make, which means it’s easier to buy the gloves in bulk.
Pros: Long-lasting, doesn’t break down, cheap to make
Cons: Offers little protection from chemicals, not form-fitting, lacks flexibility
Neoprene
Scuba diving wetsuits are often made from neoprene, which means this material is very water-resistant. Neoprene gloves are recommended for painting, working with chemicals, or for hair salons that are working with dyes.
Pros: Water-resistant, withstands high temperatures, durable
Cons: Stiff, slightly uncomfortable, leads to sweaty hands
Polyisoprene
You won’t find much difference between polyisoprene gloves and latex gloves. The key distinction is that polyisoprene is made from synthetic rubber, while latex is made from natural rubber. This means the protein that causes an allergic reaction to latex is not present in polyisoprene.
Pros: Allergen-free, breathable, strong elasticity
Cons: Not as easy to find, expensive, may result in dry hands
PVC
PVC is a type of plastic that’s commonly used for plumbing and to make household objects like window frames and gutters. It can also be used to make gloves that are extremely long-lasting, strong, and protective.
Pros: Resilient, protective against oils, won’t tear easily
Cons: Not very flexible, typically can’t withstand high temperatures, bad for the environment
Overall, there isn’t too much of a difference between nitrile, latex, and vinyl gloves. The same is true for less commonly used materials like neoprene and PVC. You really can’t go with any type of rubber glove if you’re in an industry that requires them. The only exception is medical professionals who should typically avoid using latex.
