The most obvious difference between boot covers and disposable shoe covers is that one is for protecting shoes and the other for boots. Shoe covers, whether they are used in hospital settings or industrial facilities, are shorter and made to be slipped over the shoe. They can come with non skid material on the bottoms or none at all. Shoe covers are also very good at limiting cross contamination regardless of where they are used. Disposable shoe covers typically aren’t used for outdoor applications.

On the other hand, boot covers can take care of a multitude of jobs. They are made to fit higher on the leg to accommodate the height of the boot. These types of covers almost always have traction built into the soles of the boot cover. It is also important to note that depending on the material used in the construction of the boot cover, the life of the cover will vary.

What materials are used to make boot covers?

The two most common materials used for construction of boot covers are polyethylene and latex. Polyethylene boot covers are durable enough for one use and are clear in appearance. You can rely on their dependability, especially when they are used indoors. When used in a medical setting, these boot covers help to ensure that floor contamination is limited to the area it started in. While not commonly used in the operating room by medical professionals, boot covers are nonetheless vital for cleaning sterile, clean rooms in between uses.

The other commonly used material to make boot covers is latex. Much like the household gloves, these boot covers are usually yellow and very thick. If you are looking for a boot cover that can stand up to just about any harsh condition, this one is the one to order. You will notice that latex boot covers are more expensive than the polyethylene versions.

The easiest and most convenient way to purchase disposable shoe covers is by the case. Each case will have a certain number of pairs of disposable shoe covers divided into individual boxes. Most of the time each box will contain about 75 pairs of the disposable shoe covers.

Do you need skid or non skid disposable shoe covers for your needs?

Disposable shoe covers are available in both non skid and skid varieties. Both are made to be non static and sterile. The problem with skid shoe covers is that they are about as safe as wearing socks or stockings only in the hallways and operating rooms in the hospital. It’s far simpler and safer to buy the non skid variety. They will help to prevent accidents for the medical professionals, guests, and patients alike.

How are disposable shoe covers sized?

Most brands of disposable shoe covers are one size fits all. This size is capable of accommodating shoe sizes from the smallest women’s size to about a men’s size 14. Some brands offer sizing in small, medium, large, and extra large disposable shoe covers.

Disposable shoe covers are used in more than career fields than just the medical field. Some industrial occupations dictate that protective coverings are worn for the purity of the product or products being made. This is especially true in the food service industry, but also might be found in computer part factories and other industries as well. In the medical field, disposable shoe covers can be an important part of special needs units in hospitals, for protecting the residents of a nursing home, and most especially, in operating rooms everywhere.

In every case where disposable shoe covers are worn, the purpose is to protect both the employee and the patient or the product being made. No contaminants can get into the shoe cover and none can get out. It’s a win-win situation any way you look at it.

In the medical environment, does anyone expect medical professionals need to wear disposable shoe covers?

Yes, there are times when both patients and guests to the hospital need to have protective foot wear on. Occasionally, when a patient is being moved from one part of the hospital to another, a nurse or orderly may have him or her put disposable shoe covers on. It’s simply to ensure that the patient is kept as sterile and safe as possible. It also limits the possibility of cross contamination from one section of the hospital to the other.

Guests can be asked to wear disposable shoe covers as a precaution when entering certain sections of a facility or visiting a tragically ill friend or family member. Newborn or premature babies, people with severe heart disease, or those affecting by an immune system disorder are better off if exposed to as little contaminants as possible. In these cases, the guest may be asked to put disposable shoe covers on.