Category Overview

Gloves that control contamination and protect personnel

High-touch contamination control where cleanliness, extractables, fit, and change-out discipline drive outcomes.

Gloves influence both directions of contamination flow: they help protect product surfaces from skin oils, flakes, and microbes, and they help protect personnel from chemical and biological exposure. In cleanrooms, gloves are also a high-touch surface, so particulate cleanliness, extractables/ions, and donning technique matter just as much as the base material.

Best suited for: ISO-class cleanrooms, aseptic operations, sterile compounding support areas, medical device assembly, semiconductor and microelectronics, optics, aerospace, and controlled labs. Rule of thumb: choose gloves by environment + task first (cleanliness/sterility/ESD/chemical exposure), then confirm thickness, length, fit, texture, and packaging that match your SOP.

Cleanroom Processed Sterile Options ESD-Safe Chemical Compatibility

What “cleanroom glove” typically implies:

• Particle control: cleanroom processing reduces particulate/residues compared to general-use gloves
• Barrier integrity: thickness, tensile properties, and defect control influence protection
• Extractables & ions: critical for sensitive assemblies, optics, microelectronics, and inspection
• Fit & grip: texture and sizing affect safe handling, dexterity, and operator compliance

Selection Guide

How to choose the right glove for your environment

Choose gloves by (1) environment class and process risk, then confirm (2) sterility requirement, (3) glove material + barrier properties, (4) thickness and length, (5) extractables/ionic sensitivity, (6) texture/grip and fit, (7) ESD requirements, and (8) chemical compatibility where applicable. For cleanroom fundamentals, see Cleanrooms 101.

Important note: selecting by material name alone is a common failure mode—cleanliness level, thickness, sterility, and packaging can vary widely within the same material category.

ISO-class-by-glove mapping (fast alignment guide)

Use this as a practical starting point for purchasing alignment. Your room classification is defined by airborne particles; glove selection is about using a glove that is compatible with the cleanliness expectations, handling discipline, and documentation requirements of that zone.

ISO zone target	Glove direction	Packaging & controls	Notes
ISO 3–4 Ultra-critical / yield-sensitive	Ultra-clean, low-extractable cleanroom gloves (often nitrile or specialty cleanroom formulations)	Strict lot traceability, cleanroom packaging; sterile where required by SOP	Prioritize ionic/extractables control and consistent handling discipline; interface control (cuff overlap) becomes critical
ISO 5 Class 100 / common critical zones	Cleanroom-processed gloves marketed for ISO 5 compatibility (nitrile/neoprene common)	Double-bag packaging is common; sterile options when SOP requires controlled transfer	Choose thickness/texture by task; consider longer cuffs (e.g., 12") when sleeve overlap control matters
ISO 6 Critical support / controlled assembly	Cleanroom gloves (material based on dexterity + residue tolerance)	Cleanroom packaging + lot traceability where your quality system requires it	Often a balance point: select the lowest-residue glove that still supports comfort and compliance
ISO 7–8 Cleanrooms / gowning support areas	Cleanroom or controlled-environment gloves aligned to SOP; exam gloves only if ISO particle control is not required for the task	Packaging controls based on entry/transfer procedures and zone boundaries	The most common failure mode here is behavior: zone transitions and change-out discipline drive outcomes
Non-ISO / general lab	Exam gloves selected by barrier needs, comfort, and chemical exposure profile	Standard packaging; traceability typically lower unless regulated by SOP	If the task touches critical surfaces, consider upgrading to cleaner, lower-residue options even outside ISO rooms

Why glove selection affects yield, compliance, and safety

Gloves are constantly contacting tools, fixtures, components, and cleanroom surfaces. If a glove sheds particles, transfers residues, or fails chemically, it can create defects, rework, cleaning escalation, or safety incidents. The best glove is the one that meets your environmental control needs while being comfortable enough that operators actually use it correctly.

• Improper donning that contaminates glove surfaces before work begins
• Using the same gloves across zones without defined change-out discipline
• Ignoring chemical compatibility and breakthrough risk for solvents/disinfectants
• Selecting “exam gloves” for ISO-class work where particle control is required
• Overlooking cuff/garment interfaces (gown-to-glove leak paths)

Glove materials explained (what each is typically chosen for)

Material choice is one variable. Always pair material selection with cleanliness level, thickness, sterility, and task exposure.

Sterile vs cleanroom-processed gloves (what to specify)

Sterile gloves are selected when sterility is required by SOP and are packaged to support controlled transfer and documentation workflows. Cleanroom-processed gloves are controlled for particles/residues, but are not necessarily sterile.

Chemical compatibility (don’t guess)

If gloves will contact disinfectants, sporicides, solvents, or process chemicals, compatibility is a primary selection criterion. Evaluate breakthrough risk and exposure duration, then select thickness and material accordingly. Where facility policies require it, document the basis for compatibility (manufacturer guidance and internal risk assessment).

Practical guidance: short incidental contact and extended immersion are different scenarios—your glove choice must match the actual exposure profile.

Best-practice glove discipline (SOP fundamentals)

Need help selecting?

Talk to a glove specialist

Email Sales@SOSsupply.com or call (214) 340-8574 to align glove selection to your ISO class, sterility needs, ESD program, and chemical exposure profile.

SOSCleanroom Disclaimer

This selection guidance is provided for general informational purposes to support cleanroom purchasing decisions and SOP discussions. Glove performance depends on environmental classification, process risk, glove material, thickness, length, surface texture, packaging integrity, storage conditions, exposure duration, and donning/change-out technique. Customers are responsible for verifying suitability, compatibility, and compliance with internal procedures and regulatory requirements (including validation where applicable). Chemical compatibility guidance should be confirmed against current manufacturer documentation and your facility safety program. Specifications may change without notice; always refer to current manufacturer documentation and your approved change-control process.