How to Clean Leather Work Gloves

Soiled leather work gloves should be cleaned regularly.

Leather is a natural, breathable fabric that is used to make clothing accessories, shoes, household furnishing, and many other products. Many work gloves are made of suede leather, due to the leather's durability, flexibility and softness. Work gloves are often used for outdoor projects, so they can become caked with dirt, grime and grease. When work gloves become extremely dirty, they tend to stiffen and become uncomfortable to wear. Leather work gloves can last for years, if cleaned and maintained regularly.

Things You'll Need

• Old toothbrush
• 2 buckets
• Cold water
• 1/2 cup liquid laundry detergent
• 1 tbsp. salt
• Old-fashioned clothespins

Instructions

1. Brush off the dirt and grime from the gloves with an old toothbrush. Focus especially on the fingertips of the gloves, where most of the grime collects.

2. Fill a bucket with cold water. Pour 1/2 cup of liquid laundry detergent into the water, along with 1 tbsp. of salt.

3. Place the gloves in the soapy solution. Rub off the dirt and grime from the gloves with your fingers while soaking the gloves.

4. Fill another bucket with cold water. Place the gloves in the water to rinse off the soapy solution.

5. Squeeze the gloves gently in a downward motion until all of the water is removed from the gloves. Insert an old-fashioned clothespin inside of each finger of the gloves, to keep the fingers from losing their shape.

6. Lay or hang the gloves outside to air-dry. Once the gloves are partially dry, remove the clothespins from the fingers.

7. Massage the gloves with your fingers to prevent the leather from stiffening. Continue to massage the gloves every two hours until they are thoroughly dry.

References

• Creative Homemaking: How to Clean Leather
• howtocleanstuff.net: How to Wash Work Gloves