Cross-contamination is the unwanted transfer of bacteria and viruses from a contaminated site (e.g. smartphone) to a non-contaminated site (e.g. face). The term is particularly important in the healthcare, food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries because contamination must be avoided. For many consumers, the term was initially new, but it is now clear that hand hygiene will continue to play an important role in everyday life long after the Covid 19 pandemic.
Cross contamination
Through objects
The smartphone is a good example of a "cross-contamination item". We often don't even notice how often we use the cell phone with (non-disinfected) hands, then put the cell phone aside, wash our hands, and then take the "dirty" or "contaminated" cell phone back into our clean hand. The cleaned hand is thereby contaminated again.

Cross contamination
Due to (disposable) plastic gloves
Unfortunately, there is a great misconception in our society that the use of disposable plastic gloves is necessarily hygienic. While it is true that plastic gloves are hygienic, this is only accurate if they are changed after each point of contact. If not changed properly, plastic gloves are the perfect breeding ground for germs.
For users, plastic gloves prevent direct contact of the skin with other surfaces. However, bacteria and viruses find perfect conditions on the glove surface and survive or even multiply very easily there until another surface is touched with the glove. If plastic gloves are not changed after each touchpoint, the wearer spreads germs to other objects and people with each additional contact.
Therefore, medical professionals advise against the use of plastic gloves if they cannot be changed.
Here is a video that explains cross-contamination from a hygienic point of view:
What can help?
In general, it is recommended to avoid cross-contamination in everyday life by not using disposable gloves and to wash hands properly (!) on a regular basis. In addition, it is important to remind employees to change plastic gloves regularly / as often as possible - especially when changing stations, new tasks or, in particular, new guests or customers. Hands must also be thoroughly cleaned before and after using plastic gloves.
Here the problem becomes very clear - TIME. For employees who have to perform several tasks at the same time or serve several customers at short intervals or side by side, changing plastic gloves or washing their hands regularly is not possible.

A solution: ElephantSkin gloves
ElephantSkin has developed a glove that can be used in both everyday life as well as at work.
The ElephantSkin glove is treated with antiviral and antibacterial technology to efficiently prevent cross-contamination. Unlike disposable plastic gloves, bacteria and viruses are broken down on the glove surface and the spread is therefore efficiently limited. ElephantSkin gloves do not need to be changed after each contact.
ElephantSkin gloves are made of sustainable materials and offer ideal comfort for everyday use. The material mix makes the gloves breathable and thereby prevents hands from sweating. Thus, the glove can be worn for hours.
In addition to comfort and practicality, ElephantSkin impresses with their simple and elegant design. They can be worn in the restaurant, in the supermarket or at a formal event.


For people who, for example, have their shopping lists on their cell phones or need to use touchscreens at work, there is a special feature: touchscreens of cell phones, cash registers and vending machines can be operated without any problems. The gloves do not have to be removed for this.
The special thing about ElephantSkin gloves:
The special feature of ElephantSkin gloves: they can be washed at least 30 times on the gentle wash cycle at 40 degrees and are reusable without losing their effectiveness. This saves up to 180 pairs of disposable gloves - equivalent to a plastic reduction of 2.6 kg!

You have the choice!
ElephantSkin Classic gloves combine function with timeless elegance and sustainability, making them the ideal everyday companions.
ElephantSkin fitness gloves are designed for (hobby) athletes who do not want to compromise on hygiene during their workout.
Use of ElephantSkin gloves
We recommend its use in the following application areas:
- Gastronomy
- Hotel business
- Events
- Training
- Travel
- Shopping
