Reduction of extractable protein in natural rubber latex articles

The present invention is directed to a process for reducing the extractable protein content of a natural rubber latex article comprising the steps of immersing a former in a coagulant solution to coat the former, immersing said coagulant-coated former into a natural rubber latex to coat the former with said latex, allowing the latex on the former to dry to form a gel-like deposit, leaching the cured latex on the former in at least one aqueous solution, and removing the finished glove from the former. The process is especially useful when the leaching is done in a buffered solution, or a series of alternating buffer/water solutions. The process is also useful in reducing the level of extractable protein in a polymer coated natural latex glove. The process can reduce the level of extractable protein below 300 micrograms/gram and lower.