Today, we want to offer a comprehensive buying guide for anyone wondering ‘’what are latex gloves?’’.
With so many options on the market, we completely understand the confusion you may feel. If you are looking to purchase a high volume of gloves, because you work in the commercial sector, this can be even more confusing.
Latex gloves are a fantastic choice for a range of buyers. They offer good levels of protection and can often be sourced at a reasonable price (More on this later). There are, however, a few things to consider before purchasing.
Like any gloves, the latex variety has strengths and a few downsides to consider. We are going to explore these in full below, so you have the correct information to inform your next buying decision.
Continue below where we outline what, exactly, latex gloves are and who they may, or may not, be suitable for.
How Are They Made?
So, if you are totally new to the disposable glove market you may be wondering: what are latex gloves?
Here at Easygloves, as a leading manufacturer and supplier of gloves, we get this question a lot. Customers approach us asking what they are, and more importantly how they differ from other options on the market. Before we go into further detail, we want to explain what this glove consists of and how it is made.
When considering latex, there are two options. Natural latex gloves are made from the sap of a rubber tree. When the bark of this kind of tree is shaved, an oozy white liquid is released which, later on, is manipulated to create this type of glove.
Natural latex is robust, flexible and highly versatile. Moreover, it can provide good levels of protection in a range of environments. The downside is that a percentage of the population are susceptible to allergic reactions from latex, which can make this type of glove unusable for some people.
This is where synthetic latex comes in handy. This is a synthetic substitute which is prepared with chemicals. Whilst it has many of the same properties of natural latex, it is suitable for those with latex allergies.
In both cases, the gloves are chemically treated and altered to improve strength and elasticity. Depending on the specific finish, the glove may undergo further processing. Powered gloves, for example, are treated with a starched powder which absorbs sweat and improves dexterity.
We hope anyone who wondered ‘’what are latex gloves’’ now has a better understanding. Continue on to read about our detailed insight on the key differences between this type of glove and others.
Latex Gloves Price
When deciding on the type of glove that is required, many people will use price as a benchmark. This is especially true if you are buying in volume, as more expensive gloves, naturally, can add up.
Whilst there are cheaper alternatives on the market, such as vinyl gloves, the price of latex gloves is reasonable. This is especially true if you consider the wide range of tasks for which they are suitable.
They offer high levels of protection against microorganisms and bacteria, which makes them popular amongst the medical community. You will also find the use of latex gloves in other industries, such as food preparation, forensics and the cosmetic industry. They don’t, however, offer fantastic levels of protection against chemicals. This is something to consider.
Buying Nitrile Gloves vs Buying Latex Gloves
Buying nitrile gloves as opposed to buying latex gloves may be confusing, as their benefits overlap.
There are a few distinct differences however. On the whole, nitrile gloves offer greater levels of durability and protection against chemicals. They are also, similarly, microbial resistant. Lastly, they are made from synthetic materials so can be used by those with latex allergies.
Latex does, however, tend to offer greater dexterity and is priced more competitively. Nitrile gloves are expensive, so buying in volume, for an entire workforce, may not be feasible. It all depends on the task at hand. If chemical resistance and a higher quality glove is the requirement, latex may be unsuitable.
A Quick Recap
As with any purchasing decision, context is important. To quickly recap, latex gloves are a phenomenal choice in a range of settings. They offer great levels of bacterial and viral resistance, are cost effective compared to other options and provide decent levels of protection against puncturing materials.
However, an option such as nitrile will provide a better quality, stronger glove generally. If you are dealing with puncturing hazards, or strong chemicals, nitrile gloves may be more suitable, if you are willing to pay more. If you are interested in nitrile gloves and would like to learn more, we have a wealth of resources in our blog section. Our guide to buying nitrile gloves, for example, offers an excellent insight into this type of glove.
Also, those with allergies to latex may have to consider the possibility of other options. If you are supplying gloves to an entire workforce, for example, it may be encouraged to supply a selection of latex and nitrile. This will avoid any unwanted allergic reactions.
Purchase Latex Gloves at Easygloves
We hope you enjoyed the article, and have the necessary information to make your next purchase with confidence. We have a range of latex gloves available, if you feel that this type of glove would be sufficient for your needs.
As always, we offer our customers the opportunity to speak to a member of the team. We understand with so many options and prices, making the final decision can be challenging. This is why we offer our knowledge and expertise to help you make the right decision. For more information, contact us.
