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05 January 2021

Powdered vs. Powder-Free Gloves: What’s The Difference? 

 

Businesses all over the country are finding themselves needing to buy more and more gloves to be able to deliver their services more efficiently. Aside from hospitals and care units needing their usual steady supply, the coronavirus pandemic has brought new health standards to the retail industry, including food services and heightened operations in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. With that, many business owners have turned into first-time disposable glove buyers. This might have left them facing the option of going with powdered, or powder-free gloves. So what exactly is the difference between the two? 

 

A Global Increase in Demand For Gloves

2020 has shown a dramatically sharp increase in the demand for gloves all over the world. While COVID-19 might have been an obvious catalyst, as more vaccines enter the market, people won’t just forget about how easy it can be for germs to spread in the modern world. This means that businesses outside of healthcare and cleaning services will be met with employees and customers that demand more transparency about policies to avoid the general spread of everyday bacteria. Businesses of all shapes and sizes will likely be faced with placing gloves on their inventory list well into 2022 and beyond. 

 

Powdered Gloves

Depending on the needs of your business, powdered gloves might be a practical solution. These gloves are usually produced with added cornstarch, which offers a fair share of benefits to consider. The powder prevents the glove from sticking together, can help to increase efficiency, and helps to keep the wearer’s hands dry and comfortable. This type of glove is also very durable, and likely to be more resistant to tears and rips than some of its counterparts. It is worth mentioning that the powder can cause irritated skin, especially in people who are prone to allergies. Keep this in mind before making a bulk purchase. 

 

Powder-Free Gloves

Powder-free gloves are specifically designed not to need any additional powder, and can be a great alternative if you have employees that have sensitive skin. These gloves go through a process called chlorination, which reduces the chances that they will stick together and help to give a similar effect to what powdered alternatives can offer. These gloves are durable and well suited to mechanic, food and science-related industries. Powdered gloves are unsuited to the food industry for instance, and this makes powder-free gloves more practical in many restaurants around the country. 

 

Exploring The Right Gloves For Your Business

As you can tell by now, both types of gloves have their share of benefits and drawbacks. The key in deciding which to go with is to look at your supply chain, factor in the needs of your employees, and consider how the gloves can enhance the safety of your customer. If you’re wondering about where to look for gloves, a reputable company like G.Fox can be a great help. Aside from just offering powdered and powder-free options, they also stock rubber, leather and other types to give you as many options as possible. Here’s to a safe, prosperous and healthy 2021 for your business. 

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