Vinyl vs Nitrile Gloves: Which Is Best for Your Care Home?

The debate around glove types intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. For years before, vinyl gloves were the go-to option in care homes. They offered several key benefits:

Vinyl Gloves in Care Homes

Vinyl gloves are popular for routine care-home tasks that don’t involve direct contact with bodily fluids. This includes cleaning, food preparation, and light resident support. Their affordability makes them a common choice for daily use, but their protection level is limited—they are more likely to tear or fail compared to nitrile.

A box of curo gloves with green and purple colouring. An important part of the vinyl vs. nitrile gloves debate!

Vinyl is comfortable and affordable

Nitrile Gloves: Higher Protection at a Cost

During the pandemic, many care homes received nitrile gloves for free via the Government PPE portal. These gloves quickly became a favourite due to their superior quality. Nitrile gloves offer:

  • High strength and durability – Less likely to tear during use.
  • Chemical resistance – Suitable for handling cleaning products or disinfectants.
  • Latex-free – Safe for staff and residents with allergies.
  • Puncture resistance – Better for tasks involving sharp objects or medical use.

Nitrile gloves are now considered the gold standard in healthcare. The main drawback is cost—nitrile is more expensive than vinyl, which can impact budgets if used for every task.

A blue and white box of nitrile gloves. An important part of the vinyl vs. nitrile gloves debate.

Nitrile is of better quality but more expensive

Pro Tip: Leather gloves are sometimes used for general industrial tasks, but they don’t provide infection control and can’t be disposed of between uses. In care-home settings, stick to disposable vinyl or nitrile gloves for safety and compliance.

Nitrile Gloves: Higher Protection at a Cost

During the pandemic, many care homes received nitrile gloves for free via the Government PPE portal. These gloves quickly became a favourite due to their superior quality. Nitrile gloves offer:

  • High strength and durability – Less likely to tear during use.
  • Chemical resistance – Suitable for handling cleaning products or disinfectants.
  • Latex-free – Safe for staff and residents with allergies.
  • Puncture resistance – Better for tasks involving sharp objects or medical use.

Nitrile gloves are now considered the gold standard in healthcare. The main drawback is cost—nitrile is more expensive than vinyl, which can impact budgets if used for every task.

Quick Comparison: Vinyl vs Nitrile Gloves

Comfort

  • Vinyl Gloves: Soft, flexible, good for short tasks

  • Nitrile Gloves: Snug fit, more form-fitting

Protection

  • Vinyl Gloves: Limited; not suitable for high-risk fluids

  • Nitrile Gloves: High protection; resistant to tears

Durability

  • Vinyl Gloves: Prone to tearing under strain

  • Nitrile Gloves: Very durable; puncture-resistant

Cost

  • Vinyl Gloves: Low; highly affordable in bulk

  • Nitrile Gloves: Higher; especially post-pandemic

Best for

  • Vinyl Gloves: Cleaning, food prep, low-risk support

  • Nitrile Gloves: Care procedures, medical tasks, handling chemicals

When comparing vinyl vs nitrile gloves, price is often a deciding factor for managers. On average, vinyl gloves cost significantly less per box than nitrile. For large care homes with frequent glove changes, this can represent a major budget saving.

However, while nitrile is more expensive, it also lasts longer during tasks, meaning fewer replacements mid-task. If gloves are tearing or failing, staff end up using more pairs, which can erode the initial savings of vinyl. For high-risk or chemical-related jobs, nitrile is more cost-efficient in the long run because it reduces risk of contamination and associated costs from infection or non-compliance. For a wider look at disposable glove options and how to choose the right type for your tasks, see our guide to disposable glove choice.

Infection Control and Compliance

Glove choice is more than convenience—it ties directly into compliance with CQC and infection control audits. The wrong glove for the wrong task increases the chance of cross-contamination and resident harm.

For example:

  • Low-risk jobs such as wiping tables or serving meals → vinyl gloves are usually sufficient.
  • High-risk care tasks like handling bodily fluids, administering medication, or cleaning bathrooms → nitrile is essential to meet safety standards.

Staff training should include not just when to wear gloves but also which type to use. COSHH and infection control training often highlight the difference between materials for this reason.

Environmental Impact

Another factor that’s becoming more important is environmental responsibility.

  • Vinyl gloves are petroleum-based and not biodegradable, which raises sustainability concerns.
  • Nitrile gloves are also synthetic, but many manufacturers are now developing low-carbon or partially biodegradable nitrile options.

For care homes looking to reduce waste, it’s worth asking suppliers about eco-friendly alternatives. Proper disposal is also key—gloves that have been in contact with bodily fluids must go in clinical waste, while clean used gloves may be eligible for recycling in some regions.

Practical Scenarios in Care Homes

To bring this into everyday context, here are examples of when each glove type is most appropriate:

  • Serving food in the dining room → Vinyl (safe, cost-effective).
  • Assisting residents with hygiene → Nitrile (better protection from fluids).
  • Cleaning resident rooms → Vinyl (if no chemicals involved).
  • Handling cleaning chemicals or disinfectants → Nitrile (chemical resistance).
  • First-aid or wound care → Nitrile (puncture resistance and infection control).

Pro Tip: Leather gloves are sometimes used for general industrial tasks, but they don’t provide infection control and can’t be disposed of between uses. In care-home settings, stick to disposable vinyl or nitrile gloves for safety and compliance.

What About Latex Gloves?

Latex gloves used to be widely used in healthcare, but allergy risks have reduced their popularity in care homes. They still offer good flexibility and protection, but today vinyl and nitrile are safer and more practical choices.

FAQs on Vinyl vs Nitrile Gloves

Q: Are vinyl gloves safe for food handling?
Yes. Vinyl gloves are commonly used in kitchens and are suitable for food prep in care homes.

Q: Why are nitrile gloves more expensive?
Nitrile is a synthetic material designed for strength and resistance. This makes it costlier than vinyl, though prices are stabilising post-pandemic.

Q: Which gloves are best for infection control?
Nitrile gloves are more reliable in preventing cross-contamination and protecting against bodily fluids.

Q: Should care homes stop using vinyl gloves altogether?
Not necessarily. Vinyl still has a place for light, short-duration tasks. The key is to match glove type to the level of risk.

Bottom Line

  • Vinyl gloves: cost-effective, flexible, best for low-risk care-home tasks.
  • Nitrile gloves: stronger, more protective, best for high-risk and clinical care.

For most care homes, the best solution is a combination—vinyl for everyday use, nitrile for high-risk jobs. This keeps staff safe, residents protected, and budgets under control.

At Able, we focus on fit-for-purpose solutions. Our goal isn’t to sell the most expensive option—it’s to help care homes make informed, practical choices that balance safety and cost.

👉 For tailored advice or product support, contact us today.