Hair Net Sizes, Colours and Packing: A Specification Guide

Hair net is one of the easiest items to buy badly. Order forms often say only disposable hair net, white, and the result is a cap that is too small for staff with long hair, a colour that clashes with the zone scheme, or packs that do not fit the dispensers. This guide covers what to put in a specification, so that the sample you test and the delivery you receive are the same product.

Size

Our disposable hair nets and bouffant caps are listed in five sizes in centimetres: 40 x 46, 40 x 52, 45 x 46, 45 x 52 and 50 x 52. The practical rule is to choose the size that covers all the hair, including at the nape and the sides, without pulling or slipping during a shift. Larger sizes suit long or thick hair, and smaller sizes suit short hair and tighter fits. Many plants stock two sizes and let staff pick, rather than forcing one size on everyone. Always trial samples with the people who will wear them.

Colour

Disposable hair nets are available in yellow, burgundy, red, blue, white and green. Colour does two jobs. White is the usual default, while blue gives better visual contrast against most food, which helps if a piece is lost into product. Beyond that, colour is a tool for zoning: assigning one colour per zone or per role makes it easy to see who is where. If you plan to colour-code, decide the scheme first and then specify colours, rather than the other way round. See Colour-Coding Disposable PPE by Zone.

Material and style

Disposable hair nets and bouffant caps are made from non-woven fabric, which is soft, light and breathable. A bouffant cap sits fuller on the head and contains more hair than a flat net, which suits longer hair or sites that require full coverage. For a comparison of the two styles, read Hair Nets vs Bouffant Caps. When comparing offers, check the material weight and the elastic edge, since a weak elastic is the usual reason caps slip.

Pack format

Packing affects handling and storage as much as the cap itself. Our standard format is packs of 100 in nylon bags, grouped into bags of 1,000 and then into bulk sacks of 10,000. Packs of 250 can also be arranged. Confirm the exact pack format and carton size in your quotation, since they differ between items and should match your dispensers and storage.

What to check on a sample

• Does the cap cover all hair, including the nape, when worn by long-haired and short-haired staff?
• Does the elastic hold through a shift without slipping or cutting into the skin?
• Is the colour consistent with your zone scheme and across different packs?
• Does the pack open cleanly, and does the product dispense easily?
• Does the fabric shed fibre? Rub a cap against a dark surface and look.

Writing the specification

A complete line in a purchase specification reads like this: disposable non-woven bouffant cap, size 45 x 52 cm, colour blue, pack of 100, delivered in cartons of 1,000. It takes thirty seconds to write and removes most of the disputes that arise later. To estimate how many to order, see How Much Disposable PPE Does a Food Plant Use?. You can send your specification through the quote form, and Disponord will respond with a priced proposal and sample options.