How to Clean and Take Care of Rubber and Latex Gloves
Dealing with the work of cleaning your home isn’t so bad, once you’ve equipped yourself with the best tools. One of the indispensable tools of the trade is rubber or latex gloves.
However, there are some tips and tricks you need to know so that you can work smart and make the most of your gloves. Read on to find out more about how to clean and take care of rubber and latex gloves.
Rubber and Latex
Today, there are a variety of gloves to choose from, each with their own uses, materials, and other special characteristics. For this post, we are talking about general rubber and latex gloves.
One type of gloves is the thick, reusable ones made from natural rubber. And, there are some gloves that come in a latex blend. Most of the time, the palms on these gloves have a special texture for extra grip, which makes them ideal for some heavy-duty cleaning, gardening, and so on.
Another type of gloves is thin, disposable gloves that are made from latex polymer, usually molded in their liquid state. You may see them being used most often for industrial and medical procedures. They often offer a tight fit that makes putting them on and removing them a bit difficult.
By now, you’re likely aware that disposable gloves should not be reused. This is because they are designed to be single-use, short-term wear, owing to their tight fit. Removing them can actually put you at risk of contamination. Their thin, breakable surface is not good for heavy-duty cleaning work. And, attempting to clean these gloves could wear them out or damage them. So, reusing them and cleaning them without the risk of contamination is hard. Because of these factors, it’s recommended that you throw your disposable latex gloves away after use.
How to Clean Rubber and Latex Gloves
Here is a step-by-step procedure for making sure your gloves are clean and sanitary every time you use them.
- Wear the pair of gloves you wish to clean. Use a combination of mild soap, and hot water to wash the outer part of the glove. Rub your hands together to create cleansing friction to remove foreign materials off the surface.
- Rinse the gloves off with water to remove the soap and other residue.
- Take off the gloves and turn them inside-out. With the inner part exposed, use the same soap mixture and process outlined in step 1, to clean the gloves.
- Rinse off the gloves, and hang to air dry. Make sure both the inner and the outer parts are completely dry before reusing.
Tips on Taking Care of Rubber and Latex Gloves
While you may have a very clean pair of gloves, it is important to keep in mind some best practices to extend the life of your gloves. And, ensure your health and safety, as the glove-wearer.
- Store your gloves properly. They need to be stored in a dry area at room temperature. This should be a clean area because what was the point of cleaning your gloves if they’re going to be at risk of contamination anyway? Make sure not to store them when they’re wet, as bacteria can grow on glove surfaces, including the inner portion.
- Check your gloves for wear and tear. Small punctures and rips can spell disaster when you handle harsh chemicals, solutions, and other objects. So, be sure to check your gloves before each use.
- Use different pairs of gloves for different duties. It’s important to have separate pairs of gloves for your various chores. For example, a pair for washing dishes, another for cleaning the bathroom, another for yard work, etc. You don’t want to risk cross-contamination in your own home while you are trying to keep it clean.
- Don’t forget to use your gloves and to wash your hands before and after wearing them. If you aren’t in the habit of using gloves for your housework, you are strongly recommended to develop this habit while you can. Go the extra mile to make sure your hardworking hands are preserved and safe. Remember to wash your hands before and after you use your gloves, and use hand lotion so your skin doesn’t dry out.
Gloves are necessary parts of our cleaning routines. Get into the habit of using them properly for happy, healthy hands.