From cooking to cleaning or mechanical work, GloveNation has gloves for any need. When it comes to certain cooking, maintenance, or cleaning tasks, disposable gloves can stand up to a variety of common chemicals and contaminants. Gloves that are chemically resistant are usually made from vinyl, nitrile or latex. But choosing the glove material with the right chemical resistances is vital for keeping individuals safe in different workplaces. Keep reading to find out which gloves offer the best resistance to these common chemicals.
Note: Our Chemical Resistance Chart refers to natural rubber latex gloves, PVC vinyl and vitrile gloves, and synthetic rubber nitrile gloves.
Common Chemicals and Contaminants
In this section, we're taking a closer look at how disposable gloves stand up to common chemicals and contaminants. It's crucial to understand how materials like latex, nitrile, and vinyl perform when they come into contact with specific substances. Whether you're dealing with fatty meats, strong cleaning products, or contaminants in industries, the type of disposable gloves you choose matters for your safety.
Animal Fats and Poultry
Those working in food service locations may come in contact with animal fats or poultry products when prepping meat. According to our Chemical Resistance Chart, nitrile gloves offer “excellent” resistance and are the best choice for these tasks. Latex gloves offer “fair” resistance, and vinyl and vitrile gloves offer “poor” resistance to these contaminants.
Fish (Shellfish)
Those working in foodservice environments may prep or come in contact with shellfish or fish products. Latex, vitrile and vinyl gloves offer “fair” resistance to fish products, while nitrile gloves offer “excellent” resistance.
Vegetable Oil
Used to cook vegetables, pasta, and a variety of other foods and appetizers, vegetable oils are frequently used by workers in food service establishments. Latex gloves offer “poor” resistance, vinyl and vitrile “fair”, and nitrile “excellent”.
Bleach
Bleach is widely used in homes, industrial businesses and foodservice locations to sanitize surfaces. Blech can also be used to disinfect surfaces at healthcare facilities to prevent the spread of bacteria or pathogens. Latex, vinyl, vitrile, and nitrile gloves all have “excellent” resistance to bleach.
Household Detergents
Household detergents can be used in a variety of settings for general cleaning. Detergents can include both laundry or dish detergents that workers in foodservice or medical environments may use to clean uniforms, cloths, towels, or wash dishes. Latex, vinyl, vitrile, and nitrile gloves all offer “good” resistance to household detergent products.
Brake Fluid
Those working in industrial or mechanical environments may frequently come in contact with this chemical from cars, motorcycles and other automobiles. Latex, vitrile and vinyl gloves offer “fair” resistance, while nitrile gloves offer “excellent” resistance.
Diesel Fluid
Yet another chemical found in industrial or mechanical environments, latex, vitrile and vinyl gloves offer “poor” resistance, while nitrile gloves offer “excellent” resistance.
Gasoline
Mechanics or technicians may frequently come in contact with gasoline and need quality gloves to withstand heavy use. Latex gloves offer “poor” resistance, vinyl and vitrile “fair”, and nitrile “excellent”.
Types of Disposable Gloves
Now we're going to look at things a bit differently, lets compare by specific glove materials. Since Vinyl, Vitrile, Latex and Nitrile gloves all have different properties and are made from different materials, how they hold up to chemicals varies heavily. In fact, it's often not a one material suits all situation, and there may be some businesses that need to have more than one glove material on hand.
Are Vinyl Gloves Chemical Resistant?
Vinyl gloves have become a popular choice in various industries due to their affordability and flexibility, but does this budget friendly option provide the safety you need? Below we look at common chemicals and how vinyl gloves hold up to them. Whether you're in healthcare, manufacturing, or any profession where chemical exposure is a concern, understanding the capabilities of vinyl gloves is crucial for informed decision-making.
| Chemical | Vinyl Resistance Level |
|---|---|
| Acetone | Poor |
| Asphalt | Poor |
| Bleach | Excellent |
| Citric Acid 0.5 | Good |
| Ethanol | Fair |
| Fluorides | Excellent |
| Hydraulic Fluid | Good |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | Poor |
| Kerosene | Fair |
| Turpentine | Good |
For a longer list with over 60 common chemicals and contaminants check out our official glove chemical resistance chart.
Are Vitrile Gloves Chemical Resistant?
Vitrile gloves are made from a unique hybrid material combining vinyl and nitrile. This combo allows for the gloves to be more affordable than nitrile, but have more stretch and strength than vinyl. But how does it fare against common chemicals you may come across in the home or workplace? Whether you're navigating healthcare protocols, industrial settings, or any profession where chemical contact is a concern, understanding the chemical resistance profile of vitrile gloves is an important step in choosing your glove material.
| Chemical | Vitrile Resistance Level |
|---|---|
| Acetone | Poor |
| Asphalt | Poor |
| Bleach | Excellent |
| Citric Acid 0.5 | Good |
| Ethanol | Fair |
| Fluorides | Excellent |
| Hydraulic Fluid | Good |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | Poor |
| Kerosene | Fair |
| Turpentine | Good |
For a longer list with over 60 common chemicals and contaminants check out our official glove chemical resistance chart.
Are Nitrile Gloves Chemical Resistance
We can't look at chemically resistant glove materials without mentioning Nitrile gloves. Known for their durability and flexibility, chemical resistant nitrile gloves have become a popular choice across various industries. While nitrile holds up to many chemicals it still has it's weak spots. Whether you're in healthcare, automotive, or any field where chemicals are part of the daily routine, it's important to understand if nitrile gloves can stand up to the task. The table below includes some of the most common chemicals you might encounter in daily work, starting with the most common chemical resistance question we get - are nitrile gloves acetone resistant?
| Chemical | Nitrile Resistance Level |
|---|---|
| Acetone | Poor |
| Asphalt | Excellent |
| Bleach | Excellent |
| Citric Acid 0.5 | Fair |
| Ethanol | Excellent |
| Fluorides | Excellent |
| Hydraulic Fluid | Excellent |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | Excellent |
| Kerosene | Excellent |
| Turpentine | Excellent |
For a longer list with over 60 common chemicals and contaminants check out our official glove chemical resistance chart.
Are Latex Gloves Chemical Resistant?
Latex gloves provide a certain level of chemical resistance, but their effectiveness depends on the specific chemicals involved. Latex is known for it's stretch, tactile sensitivity and comfort which makes it a great choice in many industries particularly in industrial facilities. Latex gloves are your best option for acetone resistant gloves, but what else can they take on? Lets take a look.
| Chemical | Latex Resistance Level |
|---|---|
| Acetone | Excellent |
| Asphalt | Poor |
| Bleach | Excellent |
| Citric Acid 0.5 | Poor |
| Ethanol | Excellent |
| Fluorides | Excellent |
| Hydraulic Fluid | Excellent |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | Good |
| Kerosene | Poor |
| Turpentine | Poor |
For a longer list with over 60 common chemicals and contaminants check out our official glove chemical resistance chart.
Safety is in Your Hands!
In the realm of safety, our journey through the intricacies of glove chemical resistance concludes with the assurance that 'Safety Is In Your Hands.' Whether you're navigating healthcare challenges, handling industrial substances, or addressing daily tasks, the right choice of gloves is paramount. From the versatility of nitrile to the natural feel of latex and the innovation of hybrid materials, understanding chemical resistance empowers you to make informed decisions. As guardians of your safety, gloves play a pivotal role in shielding against a spectrum of potential hazards. By arming yourself with knowledge, you ensure that safety remains firmly within your grasp. As we conclude, remember, the right gloves are more than a barrier – they are your partners in maintaining a secure and protected environment. Your safety truly is in your hands.
Check out our selection of Chemical Resistant Gloves
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