Wearing cleaning gloves may safeguard skin from chemicals and other hazardous substances, but they don’t necessarily offer complete protection.

Here, Impala Products, a U.S.-based manufacturer and supplier of branded and private label non-chemical commercial cleaning, maintenance, safety and related products, offers some best practices for wearing gloves when cleaning.

• One glove does not fit all cleaning situations. Some are designed for different purposes such as protecting the wearer from chemicals, others from body fluids, heat, dust, etc.
• Wear proper gloves when working with powerful cleaning solutions such as degreasers, acids, caustics, alkalis, window cleaners or body fluids.
• Consider wearing long-sleeve or elbow length gloves because they offer far greater skin protection.
• Wash hands before wearing the gloves, and put the gloves on just before performing cleaning tasks.
• Change gloves between tasks or when moving from one area of a facility to another.
• When removing gloves, avoid touching the contaminated side of the glove with unprotected hands; grab inside the top of the glove and pull it off the hand so it is inside out.
• Once removed, leave the glove inside out and deposit in an appropriate trash container.
• Wash hands after using gloves.
• Never flick, shake, snap or toss used gloves.
• Always avoid touching your face, mouth and nose when wearing or after removing used gloves.
• Gloves should never be washed, cleaned or disinfected with the intent to reuse them.
• Do not use petroleum-based products on your hands when wearing gloves such as hand lotions; this may degrade some types of work gloves.
• When not in use, keep gloves in a cool, dry location in the original packaging.

“Work gloves are designed to protect the health of the wearer,” says Vicky Adams, category manager for safety, gloves, and foodservice products for Impact Products. “Because they play such an important role, it is a good practice to select gloves from a manufacturer that is dependable and knowledgeable to ensure the gloves will be of consistent, high quality.”