Why Do Latex Gloves Turn Yellow?

Why do latex gloves turn yellow? It’s a question that many of us have wondered over the years. The answer may surprise you. Here are three things that will cause your latex gloves to turn yellow.

Exposure To Sweat

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 80% of illnesses are spread by your hands. This is often how germs are transported from one surface to another. Latex gloves provide a great barrier between you and the disease-spreading germs around you. However, if you tend to sweat a lot, your latex gloves will turn yellow quickly. Why do latex gloves turn yellow due to sweat? The culprit for this is the acid in your skin and sweat. This acid mixes with the nitrile in the gloves, which causes them to turn yellow.

Don’t panic if your latex gloves turn color. This color change does not affect the protective quality of the gloves. However, this color can certainly be off-putting. This is why disposable gloves are a great choice.

Improper Storage

You can store latex gloves for up to five years, as long as they’re stored in a cool, dry place that is not exposed to light. However, latex gloves should be rotated periodically in storage. Otherwise, after a couple of years on the shelf, they will turn yellow because of age. Make it a habit to rotate out supplies by taking older boxes and putting them on top of the newer inventory. By doing this rotation, you can ensure that the old stock is used before it turns yellow with time.

Touching Metal Materials

Handling metal objects can cause spots of yellow on your latex gloves. Even holding coins can change the color of your gloves. Some gloves can be more prone to turn yellow than others. Gloves that do not have cornstarch powder in them can be more inclined to turn yellow. The powder is washed away with a chlorinated bath that can affect the color of the gloves.