Since their inception, football gloves have changed the game—literally. The added adhesive on these gloves gives players the ability to catch passes that would have been deemed impossible 40-odd years ago.¹ And with the wide variety of unique designs, football gloves serve as more than just another piece of gear—they’re a symbol of self-expression.

That is, until they get dirty. And rank.

Between the sweat, the grass stains, the spit, and the elements, football gloves take an absolute beating. And the smell isn’t the only issue: Dirty gloves can lose their tacky grip, making them less effective on the field.

In this article, we’ll walk through how to clean football gloves and discuss how regular cleaning can extend the life (and stickiness) of your gloves.

Why Regular Cleaning is Important

Keeping football gloves clean isn’t just about managing the funk. Regularly washing your football gloves can also:

• Protect your investment – Football requires a lot of gear that can cost a pretty penny to replace. Fortunately, a well-maintained pair of football gloves can last several seasons. (Pro tip: You can make your gloves last longer by purchasing two sets, and then cycling them between games.)²

• Prevent bacteria build-up – The combination of sweat, dirt, and grime creates a breeding ground for bacteria. Besides creating a pungent smell, bacteria can also cause skin irritation and even infection.³

• Keep gloves sticky – Do football gloves really help? Of course, they do! One reason that players wear gloves is for the adhesive, sticky skin on the palm that makes it easier to snag a pass—it’s one of the main reasons football gloves were invented in the first place. But with every pass and every catch, that adhesive wears down a little. Regular washing helps revive the grip to continue to give you an edge on the field.⁴

Hand-Washing Football Gloves: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Hand-washing football gloves is a great way to give your gloves the TLC they deserve, especially if they include leather components. Hand washing also gives you a little more control over the water temperature and prevents damage from the agitation of the washing machine.

Like with any piece of clothing, however, it’s always smart to check the care tag for instructions on how to clean football gloves. Following the rules on the care tag will help your gloves last longer and maintain their proper shape and functionality.

In addition to those instructions, consider this step-by-step guide on how to clean football gloves by hand washing⁴:

Step 1: Prepare a Cleaning Solution

Fill a plastic tub with cool to lukewarm water and a small amount of laundry detergent. Stir it around to integrate the soap until you get a nice sudsy solution.

Step 2: Soak and Scrub

Put your gloves in the solution, right side out. Let them soak for about 10 minutes. Then, using your finger, gently squeeze and scrub the gloves. If there’s a particularly stubborn stain, add a little more detergent and work it into the stain with your fingers before dunking it back in the water.

Step 3: Rinse

Toss out the sudsy water and fill the tub back up with clean water. Gently work the gloves through the clean water, pulling them out and wringing out the water. Do this a few times until no more suds come out when you squeeze the gloves.

Step 4: Air-Dry

Hang your gloves up to dry, fingers pointing down. You can clip them with pins on a clothesline (if you have one) or use a skirt hanger and hang it on your shower rod.

You can also lay your gloves out flat to dry. Just remember that they’ll need to be flipped in order to dry on both sides.

If you’re in a bit more of a rush, roll the gloves up in a terrycloth towel and give them a gentle squeeze to get the water out. Turn the gloves inside out and do it a second time.

Machine-Washing Football Gloves: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Putting football gloves through the washing machine is harder on the gloves, even if the care instructions say it’s okay. In fact, machine washing can make gloves lose their shape due to the agitation of the wash.⁵ You’re also at risk of fabric colors bleeding into other clothes.

Step 1: Prepare Gloves

Start by placing your gloves in a mesh bag or pillowcase. This step provides an extra layer of protection (and ensures your gloves don’t tangle with other clothes).

It’s also a good idea to flip your gloves inside out before putting them through the washing machine. Doing this helps protect the grip from damage in the wash.

Step 2: Set Washer

Add a small amount of mild detergent, then set the washer to your gentle or delicate cycle with cold water.

Step 3: Drying

Air dry your gloves like you would if you hand-washed them. It’s important to never send your football gloves through the clothes dryer, as the high heat can cause melting, shrinkage, or other damage.

How to Get the Smell Out of Football Gloves

Are you washing your football gloves only to find that they still smell worse than your cleats?

Don’t worry—there are a few different methods for neutralizing stanky football gloves, such as:

• Dryer sheets – Use dryer sheets (or newspaper, if you’d rather) to gently stuff your gloves after wearing them, filling each individual finger and the palm of the glove.² This method helps absorb sweat immediately after wear, keeping the stink at bay.

• Baking soda – Also known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda’s alkaline properties counteract the acid in odors. Baking soda also helps eliminate oil stains (in this case, the natural oil present on our skin).⁶ There are two ways you can use baking soda to clean your football gloves: You can create a soak or dust it on the inside of your gloves after use. To make a soak, put a cup of baking soda in a tub of cool water, then leave your gloves submerged for 30 minutes.⁴ For more regular use, turn your gloves inside out and sprinkle with baking soda, then leave them overnight. Knock off the excess when you’re ready to wear them again.³

• Vinegar solution – The opposite of baking soda, vinegar is an acid that works against the alkaline attributes of odors.⁷ To take advantage of this, create a cleaning solution with 1:1 distilled white vinegar and water. Then, take a microfiber cloth, dip it in the solution, and wipe down the inside of your gloves. Finally, hang the gloves to dry.⁴

• Keeping your gloves out of your bag – Stuffing sweaty football gloves back into your gym bag is a recipe for nasty smells and bacteria build up. Instead, hang your gloves outside of your pack, either in a mesh bag or with a pair of clips so they can air out.

Tackling Big Stains

While regular washing can keep most stains at bay, some stains can be difficult to remove. A baking soda soak (as mentioned above) will often help eliminate tough stains, but sometimes, you need a little extra umph.

In these instances, try:

• Dish soap – Since it’s designed to be tough on grease, dish soap is a great option for spot cleaning. After your glove’s initial soak, take them out and add a dab of soap to the stain. Rub it in with your fingers and let it sit for a few minutes before beginning the rinse.⁴

• An old toothbrush – Some stains require a little extra scrub. An old toothbrush or bottle brush will do the trick—just make sure to be gentle.

Restoring Stickiness

The tacky adhesive-like texture on the inside of the palm makes football gloves invaluable during a game. But you may notice the gloves start to lose grip as the game (or practice, or scrimmage) goes on.

Why does this happen?

It’s pretty simple: The dirtier your gloves get, the less effective the grip on the palm becomes. Fortunately, regular washing can do double duty by keeping your gloves fresh and restoring the grip.

But what if your gloves need a little reset while you’re on the field? You can make your gloves sticky again during gameplay by:

• Using a little water
• Wiping down your gloved hands with a baby wipe
• Using a damp microfiber cloth
• A quick spit-and-rub

Learn more about how to make football gloves sticky again in our blog.

It’s also important to let your gloves air dry properly to keep them nice and tacky, whether after use or after washing. As mentioned, throwing football gloves in the dryer can cause the compounds in the gloves to melt or warp. Plus, keeping gloves bunched at the bottom of your bag can affect the shape and fit, which can also make the grip less effective.

Elevate Your Game with Battle Sports Football Gloves

Your football gloves are a vital piece of equipment. Taking good care of them with proper cleaning can help keep your game as strong as possible. Remember: When it comes to how to clean your football gloves, regularity and gentle handling are key.

To find your next pair of grippy football gloves (along with other important gear), shop Battle Sports—your go-to for top-quality football gear and equipment.

Sources:

1. NYTimes. “Grab and Go: How Sticky Gloves Changed Football.” https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/20/sports/super-bowl-nfl-gloves.html
2. Win Detergent. “How to Clean Football Gloves the Right Way.” https://www.windetergent.com/blogs/how-to/how-clean-football-gloves
3. Huffsports. “Can You Wash Football Gloves? Discover the Ultimate Cleaning Guide.” https://huffsports.com/can-you-wash-football-gloves/
4. The Spruce. “How to Clean Football Gloves.” https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-wash-football-gloves-6542552
5. Rinse. “Washing Clothes By Hand vs. Washing Machine.” https://www.rinse.com/blog/care/washing-clothes-by-hand-vs-washing-machine/
6. Martha Stewart. “How to Use Baking Soda to Absorb Odors (Plus, the Science of How It Works.” https://www.marthastewart.com/7841356/baking-soda-absorb-odor-fact
7. Pop Science. “Master odor removal with a little help from science.” https://www.popsci.com/remove-any-odor/