How to Clean Boxing Gloves | Can You Wash Them?

Cleaning your boxing gloves is essential for hygiene and longevity. After each training session, consider wiping down the exterior and interior with a dry cloth to remove sweat and moisture. It helps prevent bacterial growth and keeps your gear smelling fresh. Regular care of boxing gear not only extends their lifespan but also ensures a healthier training environment. 

Additional Considerations for Gloves Maintenance Always wear hand wraps to absorb sweat, preventing seeping moisture in boxing gloves. Never machine wash your gloves, as it can damage their padding and structure. If you train frequently, consider buying wholesale boxing gear to rotate between multiples and allow each pair to dry thoroughly. Condition your gear periodically with essential oils to ensure your gloves’ leather remains durable. When not in use, store them properly in a cool, dry place

Clean Your Boxing Gloves After Training to Preserve Hygiene and Lifespan

Boxing gloves are necessary gear for any fighter, but they can easily accumulate sweat, bacteria, and unpleasant odors over time. Proper scrubbing and airing out after each wear ensures crucial hygiene and eliminates unpleasant odors to protect hands and health.

Avoid Washing in the Machine! Wipe With a Damp Cloth 

Make it a habit to wipe down your gloves with a soft and dry cloth after each workout or sparring session. This practice prevents the growth of harmful microorganisms and keeps your gear fresh. 

• Lightly dampen the cloth with a soap-water mixture if soap is used.
• Clean the outside of the gloves by focusing on areas that contact surfaces frequently. 
• To wipe the interior, use a dry cloth and ensure you remove any moisture and sweat.
• Avoid soaking the gloves; instead, pat them dry gently.

Air Out Your Gloves to Dry Any Moisture

The safest and most effective way to dry your gloves is to place them in the open air after wiping them down. Avoid storing them in your gym bag, as that traps moisture inside and lets them bacteria set. Instead, open the velcro or laces to allow airflow and place your gloves immediately in a well-ventilated area. 

But make sure they are not exposed to direct sunlight, which can damage the leather material of your gear. You can also stuff your gloves with crumpled newspaper or tissue paper to absorb moisture quickly and free from unpleasant odors.

Use Home-made Deodorizers to Remove Stinkness and Prevent Bacterial Growth

Combating odor is a crucial part of maintaining your glove’s freshness. You can use various glove deodorizers or homemade solutions to remove smell from your gloves. This will prevent embarrassing situations during training sessions and enhance the hygiene of your gear. Use a deodorizer once a week to neutralize stinkiness rather than mask it. Consider the following DIY approaches to address the root cause of unwanted smells in your gloves.

All-Time Favourite Apple Cider Vinegar Kills Bacterias and Fungi

Apple cider vinegar contains natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that help remove germs responsible for unpleasant odors. This makes it ideal for cleaning items that seep in sweat. Vinegar also helps restore the pH balance of your materials, particularly leather and prevents them from cracking or fading while neutralizing.

• Dilute apple cider vinegar with water (1:2 ratio) in a spray bottle.
• Spray inside the gloves but focus on smelly areas. Then wipe with a clean cloth.
• After application, allow to air dry in an air-circulated area.

Affordable Baking Soda Combats the Smell

Baking soda is inexpensive and readily available in everyone’s home. As a natural product, it is safe to use on various materials without causing damage to remove the smell caused by sweat and bacteria in boxing gloves.

• Take a pinch of soda and sprinkle it generously inside each glove. Ensure to cover all areas.
• Let it sit for several hours or overnight. 
• After waiting, shake out the baking soda with the glove opening facing down to remove any residual powder. 
• Use a piece of cloth to clean the interior so it doesn’t cause any discomfort during use.

Natural Disinfectant Saltwater Neutralizes the Microbial Load

Saltwater acts as a saline solution that helps kill bacteria and fungi responsible for unpleasant smells. This salinity can significantly reduce the microbial load and offer you odor-free boxing gear.

• Mix a generous amount of salt in warm water until fully dissolved in a container large enough to hold your gloves.
• Submerge the boxing gear in the solution and let it soak overnight. This allows the saline to penetrate and kill germs effectively.
• After soaking, rinse the gloves thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining salt.
• Let them dry in a fan or open place with good ventilation.

While effective, saltwater can potentially harm certain materials if not dried properly. So, to prevent your gloves from cracking out, always check the material compatibility before using any method.

Convenient Freezing Method to Avoid Harsh Chemicals

It seems funny at first to put your gloves in a freezer. But the benefits of it might be surprising. Bacteria need a warm, moist environment to multiply in numbers. Freezing helps inactive these germs and halts their growth by slowing down their metabolic processes. The formation of ice crystals during freezing can physically damage bacterial cells, resulting in clean and clear boxing gloves.

• Before putting your gloves into the freezer, make sure they are clean and dry on the outside.
• Place the gloves in a resealable plastic bag to prevent moisture from entering.
• Put the bagged glove in the freezer overnight. For stubborn odors, consider leaving them for 2 nights. 
• Remove the gloves and let them thaw completely in the open air. 

Remember, extreme cold can crack leather gloves over time. So be cautious with this method if you are wearing genuine leather boxing gear or don’t use it more often. 

Conclusion:

Implementing simple boxing gloves cleaning techniques can help maintain the freshness and functionality of your boxing gloves. This will contribute significantly to an enjoyable training experience while providing germ-free, hygienic support. Scrubbing and disinfecting the exterior and interior of your gear and storing them correctly preserve its lifespan and ensure you stay healthy in the ring. 

Buy premium quality boxing gloves from Wholesale Boxing Gear and make your investment last long with proper cleaning and maintenance methods. 

FAQs

Can you clean boxing gloves with hand sanitizer?

Hand sanitizers are beneficial in killing germs due to their alcohol content. But it is important to use them carefully as they can dry out the materials of your leather boxing gear.

Can you use wet wipes to clean your boxing gloves?

Keeping alcohol pads and baby wipes in your gym bag is a good practice to remove extra dirt and sweat immediately after training sessions. But always remember to dry your gloves before putting them back in the bag after using wet wipes. 

Can you clean boxing gloves with alcohol?

You can apply a small amount of alcohol with the help of a piece of cloth or sponge, not directly. Then rub it into all the crevices of boxing gloves. This will remove bacteria and prevent bad odors.