Choosing the right disposable gloves for janitorial and sanitation jobs takes a bit of work—but in the long run it’s definitely worth it.
One would think it should be pretty straightforward. Find one you like (nice color? good fit?) and try a box. It either works or it doesn’t.
In truth, there is more nuance to choosing disposable gloves than most people realize.
Try this checklist to better inform your purchases:
- Start by narrowing the list to only nitrile. Vinyl is sufficient for light-duty work, but it doesn’t offer nearly the protection factor of nitrile. Latex gloves fit great but wearing them for any length of time could eventually lead to a latex allergy—and you don’t want that.
- Look for three to five glove vendors that have been selling for a while. How are their fill rates? (AMMEX’s are 98%-plus.) Is their quality-control operation trustworthy? (We inspect 100% of shipments.) How is their customer service? Are their gloves compliant with all international standards?
- You want a vendor with a sustainable supply chain. Lots of disparate logistical factors can widely separate one or two from the pack. Then buy two to four boxes of gloves to test. Get honest feedback from your team wearing them in the trenches every day.
Choosing gloves can be especially tricky for the janitorial and sanitation industry. Jan/san workers often end up at a disadvantage because they have to settle for inferior product options. That’s partly due to the frequent glove changes necessary in the work they perform.
Should you choose to cast your lot with AMMEX, we recommend these gloves for jan/san work:
GOOD: X3 Black Nitrile (BX3) and Blue Nitrile (X3) fit the bill for basic tasks. At 3 mils thick, they go well with such work as wiping down surfaces, mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms, and emptying trash. BETTER: Gloveworks Black Nitrile (GPNB) are 5-mil gloves that are perfect for working with tools and machinery or for scrubbing in heavy-duty applications. BEST: Gloveworks Nitrile with Raised Diamond Texture gloves, in orange, green, black, or royal blue, are 8 mils or 6 mils thick with a grip that’s hard to beat. Use them for the toughest jobs.
Medical jan/san crews have different needs
Do your crews work in medical environments? AMMEX has exam-grade nitrile options that provide a higher standard of permeability against pathogens and contaminants (and all of which protect against permeation by fentanyl for up to four hours):
AMMEX Professional Black Nitrile (ABNPF), Blue Nitrile (ACNPF), Indigo Nitrile (AINPF), and Blue Nitrile (APFN) are all 3 mils thick, while Gloveworks Black Nitrile (GWBEN) are 7 mils and Blue Nitrile (GPNHD) are 8 mils.
AMMEX offers free samples, so you can get a feel for which gloves to bring in for tryouts. It’s a great way to include your team in the purchasing decisions by soliciting feedback each step of the way.
Not sure what’s best for you? Call us at 1-800-274-7354 or drop us an email.