How To Use Disposable Gloves Properly

March 11, 2021

Disposable gloves are essential items across many industries. When worn correctly, they help protect you from exposure to harmful substances. They also prevent cross-contamination! However, single-use gloves can promote a false sense of security. You should use them as an additional safety tool, not a substitute for handwashing or anything else.

As mentioned, disposable gloves offer you significant protection from bacteria and other contaminants. Thankfully, there are many options for you to get, including black disposable gloves, latex-free disposable gloves, and even disposable rubber gloves. That said, you need to know how to use disposable gloves correctly once you search online for where to find them!

Wash Your Hands With Soap And Water First

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You need to wash your hands thoroughly with running water and soap before putting on your gloves or changing pairs. Germs can spread to the outer parts of the gloves as you wear them. Thus, you can contaminate the outside of your gloves if you inadvertently touch them with unclean hands. This is why washing them first is vital! You can also spread germs if the gloves get any holes in them, including tiny ones.

Of course, there is a way to wash your hands properly! First, you need to wet your hands with water. Once done, pump some soap into them and then rub your hands together to lather up the soap. Make sure that you rub the soap around your hands thoroughly. This includes the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails! Take at least twenty seconds to rub your hands. After doing this for twenty seconds, rinse your hands with water. You can use a clean towel to dry them! You may also use the towel to turn off the water.

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Make Sure The Gloves Fit Properly

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It is essential to consider the size of the disposable gloves. If your disposable gloves do not fit your hands perfectly, it will compromise their effectiveness. If your gloves are too tight, they will burst. This leaves your hands vulnerable to bacteria and other contaminants. If they are too loose, they will slide around your hand, rendering you vulnerable to germs! In addition, improperly fitted gloves may make you experience hand fatigue or they may fall off. Both affect the quality of the protection they are supposed to give you. Therefore, make sure the gloves fit your hands properly!

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Avoid Touching The Outside Of The Glove Upon Removal

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The reason you wear disposable gloves is to protect your hands from bacteria and other contaminants. A great example is avoiding the potential bacteria on raw chicken during food preparation! The gloves are what stop the bacteria, but the outside of them will still be contaminated! Thus, you have to avoid touching the outside of your gloves when removing them.

You can avoid this by safely removing your disposable gloves using a unique technique! First, use one hand to grab the outside of the other glove at the wrist. Peel it away from your hand and body so the glove turns inside out. Once this is done, take your ungloved hand and carefully put a few fingers under the glove on your other hand without touching the outside. Pull the second glove away from your body with your fingers so that the first glove is inside the second. Throw away both gloves! Never remove your gloves using your teeth, as this lets the bacteria and viruses into your mouth.

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Change Gloves Regularly

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Using disposable gloves properly means that you have to change your gloves regularly. In some instances, you must throw away the gloves after completing a task like handling raw meat. However, when immediate changing is not needed, another recommendation is to change your gloves every four hours at a minimum. Prolonged use of disposable gloves can lead to excess perspiration on your hands. This offers ideal conditions for microbial growth on your skin!

Additionally, disposable gloves are likely to tear, wear down, or leak if you use the same pair for an extended period. You should also change your gloves after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing,or handling anything that may have contaminated your hands. Wearing disposable gloves does not mean you can go on autopilot. You must still pay attention to what you are doing and change gloves regularly!

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Wash Hands After Removing Gloves

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Whenever you remove your gloves, whether it is to put on a new pair or not, you have to wash your hands! Do this for at least twenty seconds with soap and water whenever possible. If you do not have soap and water available, hand sanitizer is appropriate. This applies even though you have had your hands in gloves! While each type of glove is different, it is difficult to tell how long contaminants will hang onto the gloves you were wearing. The gloves could also be porous.

Additionally, it is not easy to remove your disposable gloves and be certain that you did not contaminate your hands. This applies even when you are extra careful. The series of movements needed to remove your protective gloves safely becomes tricky, especially when you are a new user. As a result, wash your hands after removing your gloves!

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