How to Clean Gloves
Ground-in dirt and grime can shorten the life of the most durable gloves by wearing away the fabric. Cleaning methods depend on the specific glove material, but all types of gloves can and should be cleaned to prevent undue wear. Always check the tag of your gloves to note manufacturers' instructions for cleaning. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stiff bristle brush
- Laundry detergent
- Vinegar
- Round-topped clothespins
- Chamois cloth
- Coarse salt
- Saddle soap
- Mink oil or leather conditioning agent
- Soft boar's hair brush
Instructions
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Cotton Work Gloves
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1
Scrape off caked-on dirt on cotton work gloves using a stiff bristle brush. Rub the fingertips with coarse ground salt to scrape away the grittiest grime.
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2
Machine-wash the gloves in a heavy-duty cycle with other sturdy items such as denims, using cold or warm water and detergent.
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3
If work gloves have an odor, wash them separately and add a half-cup of vinegar to the wash and rinse waters.
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4
Separate the gloves from the rest of the load after the final rinse cycle is complete.
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5
Place round-topped clothespins in the finger holes and hang the gloves to air dry. Remove the pins while the gloves are still damp, then re-hang until gloves are completely dry.
Leather Gloves
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6
Use a chamois cloth with a bit of mink oil to keep leather gloves clean and dust-free between cleanings.
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7
Spot clean soiled leather gloves using a slightly damp cloth and saddle soap. Rub a little saddle soap into the damp cloth and clean the soiled area, moving the cloth in small circular motions.
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8
After applying the cleaner to a small area, use a second clean, damp cloth to remove the soap and soil. Repeat the process, area by area, until the soiled area is clean.
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9
Use a dry towel or chamois cloth to dry the gloves.
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10
When completely dry, apply a bit of mink oil or leather conditioning agent to restore the leathery look and feel to your gloves.
Suede Gloves
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11
Use a soft boar's hair brush to remove the outer layer of dirt or soil from suede gloves.
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12
Most suede gloves may be washed in a washing machine in cold water with detergent. Turn them inside out to wash.
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13
After the wash cycle is complete, gently squeeze out excess water and hang the gloves on a line to dry.
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14
Every 30 minutes, cup the drying glove between your two hands and gently rub the fabric back and forth. This will return the suede to its naturally pliable state by the time the gloves are dry.
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15
When the gloves are still damp, turn them outside out and re-hang them to finish drying.
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