Glove care
Proper care extends the life of your leather gloves. Here, we guide you through gentle cleaning and care – helping preserve quality, function, and fit over time.
How to Clean and Care for Your Gloves
Sometimes cleaning is necessary to extend their lifespan of the product, but leather gloves should be handled gently and not washed more often than absolutely necessary. Water can dry out leather, affecting its natural suppleness and durability. Suede gloves should not be washed at all.
Here, we’ve gathered our care tips for sports- and dress gloves. For gloves made from materials other than leather, we recommend following the product’s specific care instructions for the best results.
How to Wash Your Leather Sports Gloves
Leather is a natural material that requires careful handling to preserve its quality, function, and lifespan.
1. Remove Stains
Use a damp cloth and a high-fat soap to remove stains. This cleans without drying out the material. Never wash leather gloves in a washing machine.
2. Dry Properly
Gloves dry best in an upright position. Some models have a carabiner to keep the gloves together, which can also be used during drying.
3. Handle Linings Gently
Gloves with removable linings dry faster when the lining is taken out and washed separately. Wool linings should always be hand-washed and laid flat to dry. Clean linings preserve the material’s breathability, as dirt can clog pores and fibers.
If the glove does not have a removable lining, do not turn it inside out, as the lining, insulation, and membrane may be difficult to restore properly.
4. Recondition the Leather
Once completely dry, recondition the gloves to maintain leather suppleness and quality. Use Hestra Leather Balm, suitable for sports and ski gloves in goatskin and cowhide nappa.
How to Wash Your Dress Gloves
Cleaning dress gloves made from fine leather requires gentle care to preserve the leather’s natural softness and quality. Follow the steps below for the best results.
1. Clean Gently with Water
Washing dress gloves is similar to washing your hands. Rinse them under lukewarm running water or dip them in a basin of water.
2. Wash Gloves on Your Hands
Put the gloves on and submerge them in the lukewarm water. This helps them retain their shape during cleaning.
3. Use Mild Soap
Use a gentle soap rich in natural fats to avoid drying out the leather. Massage the soap gently over the entire glove.
4. Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse the gloves under running water until all soap residues are gone.
5. Remove Excess Water
After washing, gently press out most of the water. Avoid twisting, as this can damage the leather and affect the fit.
6. Towel Dry Carefully
Place the gloves in a dry towel and press gently to remove remaining moisture.
7. Let Dry Naturally
Lay the gloves flat at room temperature to dry. Avoid all heat sources, which can damage the leather. Shape the gloves gently while drying and put them on a few times to restore their natural fit. Drying can take several hours.
8. Recondition the Leather
Once fully dry, recondition the gloves to preserve leather suppleness and quality. Use Hestra Leather Lotion – a lightweight, nourishing lotion specially developed for fine leathers such as goatskin, cowhide nappa, deerskin, elk, lamb nappa, and peccary.
Washing a pair of dress gloves is like washing your hands. Either rinse under running lukewarm water or immerse in a water-filled basin.
Care & accessories
Accessories and care products that help you look after your gloves and extend their lifespan. From waterproofing treatments and care products to spare parts and accessories.
Explore more
Learn more about Hestra, our materials, and the craftsmanship behind every glove – as well as how to choose and care for your gloves over time.
