Two Techniques to Safely Remove Contaminated Nitrile Gloves

For everyone from healthcare professionals to food service workers, gloves are essential for keeping patients, customers, and employees safe. Especially during a global pandemic, there’s never been a more important time to use gloves and to use them properly. While it’s easy to put on clean gloves safely, it can be a lot less obvious how to take off gloves safely without coming into contact with potential pathogens or contaminants. This blog will take you step-by-step through two techniques endorsed by the CDC, called “glove-in-glove” and “bird-beak,” which can help you to take off gloves safely. You’ll find pictures and descriptions of each step below so you can use this blog to practice and perfect your technique of safely taking gloves off.

The Glove-In-Glove Technique

The glove-in-glove technique is great for taking gloves off safely without coming into contact with any infectious or unsafe material that might have gotten on the gloves. Check out the step-by-step guide and pictures below to learn and master this technique.

Figure 1 – Glove-in-Glove Technique

Without touching your unexposed skin, use your index finger and thumb to grab the outside of one glove near the wrist.

Figure 2 – Glove-in-Glove Technique

Pull the glove away from your wrist. Be careful not to touch the exposed skin on your wrist.

Figure 3 – Glove-in-Glove Technique

Turning the glove inside-out, peel it away from your body and toward the fingers.

Figure 4 – Glove-in-Glove Technique

Keep pulling the glove away from your hand, peeling it off your fingers. Don’t let go of the glove, even once it’s off your hand.

Figure 5 – Glove-in-Glove Technique

Hold the balled-up glove in your gloved hand.

Figure 6 – Glove-in-Glove Technique

Slip your index finger under your remaining glove at the top of your wrist. Be careful not to touch the outside of the glove or any other potentially contaminated surface, like the sleeve of an isolation gown, with your finger.

Figure 7 – Glove-in-Glove Technique

Pull the second glove inside-out while peeling it off your hand. Keep the first glove held inside the second as you flip the second glove completely inside-out.
Once you’ve removed the second glove, dispose of both of them and wash your hands. The next time you use gloves, make sure to use a new pair.

The Bird-Beak Glove Removal Technique

The bird-beak technique may look more complicated at first, but it is just an effective and consistent method to safely remove gloves. See the pictures and step-by-step description below to learn how to use this technique to safely remove gloves.

Figure 1 – Bird-Beak Technique

With one of your gloved hands, use your index finger and thumb to pinch the top of your other gloved hand near the wrist.

Figure 2 – Bird-Beak Technique

Using your middle finger, scoop the edge of the glove, pulling the glove further away from your wrist.

Figure 3 – Bird-Beak Technique

Using your middle finger, index finger, and thumb, pull the glove inside-out over your fingers. The inside of the glove will be stretched over your fingers to form a “bird beak.”

Figure 4 – Bird-Beak Technique

Using the “bird beak,” grip the top of your other glove near the wrist. This step is much like figure 8, except on the opposite hand.

Figure 5 – Bird-Beak Technique

Holding tight with the “beaked” hand, peel the second glove off your hand, pulling it inside-out in the process. Don’t let go of the second glove with your “beaked” hand.

Figure 6 – Bird-Beak Technique

With your newly exposed hand, slip your index finger under the glove at your palm (the base of the beak). Use your index finger to peel the glove off and over your fingers.

Once both gloves are removed, throw them away and wash your hands. Always use a new pair the next time you put on gloves.

Practice Glove Removal Techniques and Be Safe

While many states and businesses are starting to reopen, COVID-19 cases are on the rise in many communities and there’s never been a more important time to practice safe habits. Refer to this guide as you practice these two techniques to safely remove gloves and find out which one you prefer. As always, Community Attire is committed to helping keep our communities safe and businesses operational. We hope these blogs keep everyone informed and aware of the best practices when it comes to personal protective equipment or PPE and encourage everyone to review the guidelines on the CDC website. Thank you for letting us help!