PVC Clothing

Quick Answer: The PVC Clothing listing covers PVC protective clothing: waterproof garments made from PVC-coated fabric. The listing photograph shows yellow items, including a hooded coverall, a jacket, trousers and a hood with a face window, which keep splashes of water-based chemicals, washdown water and rain off the wearer’s clothes and skin.

What PVC Clothing Protects Against

Garments of this type are made by coating a woven or knitted base fabric with plasticised PVC, giving a flexible sheet that liquids cannot soak through. As a general rule, PVC stands up well to water, many dilute acids and alkalis, salt solutions and detergents, which makes it the usual choice for acid and alkali handling in preparation rooms, electroplating demonstrations, washing down animal houses and greenhouses, and cleaning with chemical cleaners.

Its weaknesses matter just as much. Many organic solvents, such as ketones and aromatic hydrocarbons, soften PVC or draw out its plasticiser, so it is the wrong barrier for solvent work. PVC also melts and burns, so it must be kept away from flames, hot surfaces and welding. Garments with welded or taped seams keep liquid out at the joins, whereas stitched seams can let it through the needle holes.

Which garments are supplied under this listing, and in which sizes, should be checked when ordering, since the photograph shows several styles. For splashes to the face add goggles and a face shield, and for the hands, chemical resistant gloves complete the outfit.

Specifications

Typical Jobs

• Making up and pouring dilute acid and alkali solutions in chemistry preparation rooms.
• Electroplating and anodising demonstrations with open liquid baths.
• Hosing down animal houses, greenhouses and aquaria in biology departments.
• Water sampling and outdoor fieldwork in wet weather.

Wearing and Cleaning

• Wear trouser legs outside boots, and sleeves over glove cuffs when working at bench height, so liquid runs off rather than inside.
• Rinse the outside of the garment with water before taking it off, then peel it off inside out without touching the outer surface.
• Hang garments to dry on wide hangers away from heaters; folding them while warm creases and eventually cracks the coating.
• Check seams, knees and elbows for splits before each use.

Why Choose LabEquip

Chemistry technicians, biology departments and estates cleaning teams buy PVC garments for wet chemical and washdown work, usually together with gloves and eye protection. LabEquip lists this clothing in General Lab Products, and garment types and size ranges can be sorted out through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PVC clothing suitable for solvents?

Generally not. Many organic solvents, including acetone and toluene, soften PVC or extract its plasticiser, so the garment stiffens, cracks or lets the solvent through. For solvent work, choose clothing rated against the specific solvent.

Can PVC clothing be worn near a Bunsen burner?

Keep it away from open flames and hot surfaces, because PVC melts and burns. For work with flames a flame-resistant lab coat is the right garment, and PVC is kept for cold, wet tasks.

Should trousers go inside or outside boots?

Outside. With the trouser leg over the boot, splashes run down and away, while tucked-in legs channel liquid straight into the boot.

How do I take off contaminated PVC clothing safely?

Rinse the outside with water first, then peel the garment off inside out, keeping gloves on or using clean gloves so bare hands do not touch the outer surface. Wash your hands afterwards.

Why do seams matter?

Stitching leaves small holes that can let liquid through under pressure or with long contact. Welded or taped seams seal those holes, so they suit chemical splash work better than plain stitched seams.

How should PVC garments be stored?

Hang them clean and dry on wide hangers, out of sunlight and away from heaters. Folding and heat both crack the coating over time, and cracked PVC no longer keeps liquids out.

Last Updated: September 2026