Non-sterile (examination) gloves should not be reused as these gloves are very thin and can tear easily (small tears are often not easy to see). For this reason, washing gloved hands is also not safe.

Sterile gloves can be reused as examination gloves (not as sterile gloves) if there is a shortage:

• If there are no visible holes or tears visible
• They should be decontaminated by soaking in 0.5% chlorine solution for 10 minutes, then washed and rinsed, and sterilized (by autoclaving)