Janitorial & sanitation businesses need predictability and consistency. No one likes surprises, especially when it comes to their hand protection.
Those “bargain” disposable gloves that promised savings of a couple bucks per box? Maybe they hold up OK with light-duty tasks. But maybe they don’t—and workers ended up with glove after glove ripping, or leaking when working with cleaning solutions, or shredding when even the slightest resistance is met.
If you are the responsible owner of a cleaning business—or someone who has the ear of whoever does the ordering for your company—the well-being of your employees and customers should be at the forefront of your daily operations.
That’s why we recommend nitrile disposable gloves for jan/san workers. We believe they offer the highest degree of protection and comfort for the cost while maintaining an attractive price point—the best bang for your buck.
Vinyl will always be with us
Gloves made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) have been around a long time and are fine from a cost-savings standpoint. Whether they are used in jan/san or food service or retail—or countless other light-duty tasks, as they are super versatile—they are among the least expensive single-use gloves we sell.
Vinyl gloves are almost universally 3 mils thick. They can withstand hydrofluoric, phosphoric, and 10 percent concentrated nitric acid, among other chemicals typically present in janitorial tasks. Always confirm by conducting chemical resistance on-site testing of any glove before use.
The most popular vinyl gloves AMMEX carries are X3 Clear Vinyl (GPX3). They have a loose, relaxed fit when compared with other materials. The price sure is nice but they also provide less barrier protection.
Nitrile gloves, meanwhile, provide superior chemical resistance and stand up to harmful solvents such as 38 percent concentrated hydrochloric acid, 2-butoxyethanol, and sodium hypochlorite. These latex-free gloves are made from nitrile butadiene rubber, a durable synthetic highly resistant to punctures and tears.
The many joys of 3-mil nitrile
X3 Black Nitrile (BX3) and X3 Blue Nitrile (X3) are the top choices for jan/san use. Like vinyl, they are 3 mils thick, but they also deliver a stronger barrier. An appropriate choice for tasks that require frequent glove changes, they do offer much higher levels of comfort, tactile sensitivity, and dexterity than vinyl gloves.
AMMEX Professional exam-grade gloves are another possibility for the jan/san worker. They provide even better protection than X3 as well as resistance to fentanyl for up to 240 minutes based on the ASTM D6978 standard. While priced a bit higher, they also offer higher barrier protection than industrial gloves. Choose from blue (ACNPF or APFN), indigo (AINPF), or black (ABNPF).
Natural rubber latex gloves also stand up to many of the chemicals common in the janitorial industry, especially those that are water-soluble, and they provide dependable tear and puncture resistance.
We are talking serious comfort here
Latex offers the best fit, feel, dexterity, and tactile sensitivity of all the materials. Both X3 Ivory Latex (LX3) and Gloveworks Ivory Latex (TLF) are great choices for jan/san. Latex gloves, however, expose users to latex proteins; repeated exposure can lead to developing a latex allergy.
Still uncertain if you need gloves for jan/san work? Here are a couple of good reasons to embrace disposable gloves: protection against hot water and harsh chemicals, and reducing the opportunity for germs to make you sick.
Questions? Check us out at ammex.com. We’re always happy to help you find the right glove for the job.