Medline Cotton Balls

Cotton balls are commonly used in everyday life in professional, casual and medical settings. Companies like Medline offer options including sterile and non-sterile versions with multiple package sizes to suit individual or company needs. Shoppers at Staples can find a wide selection and many brands to choose from.

Variety of Types of Cotton Balls
Medline offers both sterile and non-sterile cotton balls. Most feature a 100 percent bleached cotton material, though Medline does offer an option made with rayon fibers for those who have sensitivities. They're highly absorbent and uniform in shape with a lint-free design. Shoppers can find them in various sizes ranging from 1 to 1.25 inches, and choose from different package types such as individual boxes or bags, or an entire case to stock a busy medical facility.

Common Uses for Cotton Balls
Cotton balls have multiple uses. Doctors and nurses use them to clean the skin prior to giving injections, wiping away germs and bacteria with an antiseptic. You can make easy work of applying medicines such as calamine lotion to treat the skin, as they're specially designed not to break apart, even when saturated. Store them in resealable bags or in jars on a countertop for easy access. Many companies also use them as a protective barrier at the top of medicine or food containers to preserve freshness.

They have many uses in the home as well. You can use them to keep water out of an infant's or toddler's ears while bathing, to remove nail polish or to apply makeup. Other people use them for craft projects for children of all ages. They come in particularly handy for creating bursts of clouds on a diorama or for a beard on a figurine. Since they're white or slightly tinted, it's possible to dye them many different colors using food or fabric dye for various projects.

What is the Benefit of Buying Cotton Balls Online?
Shopping online enhances user convenience, putting multiple options in front of the buyer at once. This lets the shopper compare specifics such as size, package count and materials prior to purchasing. With the auto restock program, inventory managers can ensure that the supply is replenished at specific intervals to avoid running out. Buy in individual packages of as little as 5 or as many as 4,000 per case depending on usage rate.

Are Cotton Balls Recyclable or Compostable?
Many types of cotton balls are compostable, making them a sustainable option for eco-conscious shoppers. You can also choose to recycle them, but they break down easily when composted and help reduce the amount of waste that sits in landfills. You can compost both units made with both 100 percent cotton and rayon materials.

Can you Reuse Cotton Balls?
Cotton balls are typically meant for a single use, especially in a medical setting. If you're using them for craft projects, there's no reason why you can't be reuse them, but it's always better to start anew with fresh cotton balls to prevent contamination, whether you're working with sterile or non-sterile varieties.