When the health and safety of the public and your employees are on the line, it’s important to wear the right latex gloves for the purpose. You don’t always have to wear expensive, top-of-the-line latex gloves though, there are plenty of gloves that do the job but won’t break the bank.

When you are looking into latex gloves pricing and costs, the first step is to decide what type of latex glove you want to purchase. Here are some ideas:

1. Consider low cost regular latex gloves with powder on the inside.

2. Look into powder-free gloves if you want to avoid white marks all over everything.

3. Pick up some chemical resistant latex gloves for those jobs that deal with harsh and dangerous substances.

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Save money on supplies when you buy the typical powdered latex gloves

When people hear the words latex gloves, most people will probably think about those economical gloves that medical personnel and food service workers wear. The standard latex glove is the powdered variety, where the inside of the glove has powder in it for ease of putting on, to reduce perspiration and to make taking the gloves off easier as well. Since this tends to be the most common type of latex glove, it also tends to be the most inexpensive and widely available.

I recommend: DonTheGlove.com has latex gloves for the food service industry that are priced from around $45 a case up to about $60 a case. EQ Plus carries a number of latex glove types for prices that run about $40 up to around $50 a case. You can also purchase the gloves by the box and they cost about $4 up to about $5 per box, depending in the type of glove you choose.

Purchase powder-free latex gloves to save your walls and clothes from white hand prints

Have you ever taken off a pair of latex gloves and then proceed to find white, powdery hand prints all over the place? This is the main reason why companies sometimes sell the powder-free variety of latex glove. This is the same type of glove, minus the chemical powder on the inside. These gloves tend to be more expensive than the run-of-the-mill 'typical' powdered type since they are less common.

I recommend: Unisafe sells a number of powder-free latex gloves for prices that range from about $70 a case up to around $120 per case depending on the thickness of the glove. Country Clean Paper Supplies has a number of different kinds of powder-free latex gloves that range in price from about $5 up to around $8 depending on the size of the glove.

Stock up on chemical resistant latex gloves if your employees handle dangerous chemicals or cleaners

Latex gloves that are resistant to harsh chemicals are a must-have in those work environments where employees deal with dangerous chemicals. Because this is the thickest and most technologically advanced type of latex glove, it is also one of the most expensive types. They are generally reusable, so that adds to the more expensive price as well.

I recommend: Sara Glove Company has chemical resistant latex gloves for prices that range from about $12 a dozen up to around $20 a dozen, depending on the quantity of cases ordered. Uline Shipping Supplies sells latex gloves that are chemical resistant for around $7 a carton up to about $8 a carton, depending on the quantity ordered.

Most businesses require some sort of latex gloves. The market environment includes custodial gloves, restaurant and food services, police and others encountering biohazards. These must-have gloves are a mainstay in medical, dental, labs, retail facilities, electronics assembly, industrial and commercial jobs. Latex gloves provide a safety barrier for your employees while engaging in their important tasks.

There are several types of latex gloves, each with a particular job function. Powdered, non-powdered, lined, general purpose, medical and disposables are the common selections from a latex gloves provider. When looking for latex gloves consider the following:

1. Find latex gloves with a higher thickness in mils for commercial and industrial applications.

2. Buy in bulk for discount pricing as many companies offer products by the case.

3. Look at the price advantage of purchasing latex disposable over longer lasting gloves.

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Buy wholesale latex gloves for added savings

Find a nice selection of latex gloves for light to heavy-duty settings. Get different sizes in flock-lined, disposable, powdered and powder free.

I recommend: Scroll through the latex gloves directory and choose from sub-categories “Rubber & PVC Gloves” for flock-lined and “Disposable Latex Gloves” containing both powdered and powder free at Macomb Wholesale Supply; note part number and click “contact” to fill out a form. Go to Wholesale Janitorial Supply and select from the latex gloves list that includes premium, general purpose and others for online ordering.

Locate a latex gloves provider for industrial and commercial use

Get gloves suitable for the food service industry, sanitation and mild chemical environments. Order by the box, 12-inch lengths with added mil thickness for better wear and usability in harsher settings.

I recommend: Purchase 18 mil thick flock lined and canners gloves online and by the case at Betty Mills. Contact Johnson Plastics & Supply by phone, fax or email for latex gloves information and availability of the glove type required. Click “Maintenance, Janitorial & Safety Supplies” for overview of safety gloves offered by the pair, dozen or box in small to extra-large sizes applicable in industrial settings.

Purchase medical/disposable latex gloves by the box

These FDA/USDA gloves find applications in dental, lab and medical settings. Unlike regular latex disposable gloves, these provide a skintight fit for added dexterity.

I recommend: Contact United Glove, a manufacturer and wholesale distributor, and click “Unsupported” then “Unsupported Disposable Medical Grade Gloves” to view 5 mil thick latex disposable medical grade gloves. Go to CleanItSupply.com and click “Latex Medical Gloves” from the latex gloves list and order online 4 to 5 mils thick, powdered with rolled cuff.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some people react negatively to latex gloves with a rash, runny nose and red eyes. Consider a non-powdered latex glove that typically eliminates this problem. If this doesn't work, purchase a non-latex material like nitrile or vinyl from a latex gloves provider mentioned in this guide.
• •  General use disposable latex gloves tear easily. To overcome this, order different sizes and double the gloves by having the size that fits covered with the next largest size.

Whether you're in the medical examination field or the food service industry, it's likely you spend a great deal of your day wearing latex gloves. There are a few latex gloves types and styles designed specifically for certain kinds of work. All latex gloves must meet certain manufacturing standards set by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM).

Latex gloves types and styles include disposable or non-disposable, powdered or non-powdered, examination or industrial strength, and textured or non-textured. All latex gloves range in size from small to extra-large. If you want to make sure the latex gloves you are using are of a grade designed for your kind of work and meet manufacturing standards, consider the following:

1. Make sure your latex gloves meet industry standards.
2. See the different kinds of industrial latex gloves available.
3. Use latex gloves designed specifically for the medical field.
   

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Wear latex gloves that meet federal and other standards

Regardless if they are designed for medical or industrial use, all latex gloves types and styles must adhere to federal requirements and other manufacturing standards. Both the FDA and ASTM provide manufacturing guidelines for latex gloves. These standards address such properties as elasticity, elongation, puncture and tear, as well as chemical resistance.

I recommend: SurgicalGlove.net shows FDA and ATSM standards for tensile strength, puncture resistance and elongation for surgical latex gloves, both before and after aging. View a chart showing standards and specifications for latex examination gloves, from pinhole ratings to elasticity and even palm and finger thickness, at Harvard Apparatus.

Protect your hands in the toughest of environments with industrial latex gloves

For medical laboratories, food service businesses, materials handling and industrial settings, durable latex gloves are necessary. Industrial latex gloves can be disposable or non-disposable, textured or non-textured, chemical-resistant and up to 12 inches in length to offer better protection.

I recommend: See standard industrial latex gloves, both smooth grip and textured, many with extended cuffs, at Plastek Protective Products. Sara Glove Company has small, medium, large and extra-large disposable industrial latex gloves that provide a high degree of mobility and flexibility.

Work safely in the medical field wearing latex gloves

From dental hygienists to surgeons, latex gloves are essential to those working in the medical field, where it's critical that these gloves meet FDA and ASTM standards. Mainly you'll wear examination latex gloves, disposable and either powdered or non-powdered. Latex gloves types and styles of examination gloves also include scented, colored and various thicknesses and strengths.

I recommend: US Safety Gear has many types of white examination latex gloves, such as powdered and powder-free, fully or micro-textured and extended cuff. EQ Plus offers a wide range of examination grade latex gloves, including powdered, lightly powdered and powder-free, in different colors and scents, and even some coated with natural moisturizers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Avoid potential allergic reactions by using latex gloves that are made of different types of latex, such as those made from guayule latex, which were cleared by the FDA in 2008. This differs from traditional latex and cuts the risk of allergic reactions.

Latex gloves are a preventative measure to keep your workers safe. If you are purchasing latex gloves for the first time, you may be surprised by the different types available. Not all types of latex gloves are made the same. For medical uses in particular, you'll want to make sure that the gloves are FDA and ASTM approved and free from pinhole defection. Extended cuffs or chemical resistant properties add an extra level of safety. Start by learning the following terms associated with latex gloves.

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U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, sets regulations that are to keep workers safe. Their latex glove standards are specific to those in the medical industry. Those working in other industries need not be as concerned about the FDA's seal of approval.

I recommend: Learn more about the Food and Drug Administration's medical glove guidance policies.

American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM International)

The American Society for Testing & Materials is now known as ASTM International. It is a voluntary standards organization. They also have standards that they set for latex gloves.

I recommend: Learn about ASTM International from their website. See their standards for gloves at Infection Control Today.

Pinhole defections

Pinhole defections are small holes in latex gloves, so named because they are the size of a pinhole. This can occasionally happen during production. A pinhole may seem small enough to not be of concern, but these small holes can let bacteria or viruses through. Medical workers need to be wary of pinhole defection.

I recommend: Nitrile Gloves discusses pinhole defection in latex and nitrile gloves.

Extended cuff latex gloves

Extended cuff latex gloves come up higher on the arm to protect the wrist and arm instead of stopping at the wrist.

I recommend: See an example of extended cuff latex gloves at Ted Pella.

Chemical resistant latex gloves

Chemical resistant latex gloves are treated with neoprene to provide extra safety when working with chemicals. Having latex in these gloves gives added flexibility.

I recommend: Sara Glove shows chemical resistant latex gloves.

Latex exam gloves

Latex exam gloves are for use in medical facilities. They have FDA and ASTM approval. Exam gloves are disposable and meant to be changed with each patient a doctor, nurse or technician examines.

I recommend: View latex exam gloves at UniSafe. Exam gloves come in a variety of sizes to fit different hands.