When making a choice of a disposable swab and a reusable swab, context is one of the key aspects that should guide your decision. As the name suggests, disposable swabs indicate that these swabs are used for single use purposes such as in sample gathering exercises in diagnostics or in infection control situations that require sterility. The reusable swabs are environmentally friendly but to maintain safety and effectiveness, cross-contamination must occur, thorough cleaning procedures should be implemented. Appreciating these distinctions would help healthcare practitioners make rational choices that conform to the operational demands of the healthcare setting in tandem with reasonable patient safety expectations.