How to Wash Football Gloves

What You’ll Need to Clean Your Football Gloves:

✔ Soft cloth

✔ Water basin

✔ Mild detergent or soap

✔ A clean towel

Step #1: Remove Excess Dirt

Using a dry cloth, gently wipe away any visible dirt from the surface of your football gloves. Doing this while the gloves are dry will help the cleaning process be more effective and prevent the dirt from being further embedded into the fabric.

Step #2: Prepare the Mild Wash Solution

Create a wash solution for your football gloves. Fill a clean basin with cool to lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild detergent or soap (one teaspoon to one tablespoon, depending on the amount of water). Swish the water around to distribute the detergent.

Step #3: Soak & Scrub

Submerge your football gloves in the cleaning solution and let them soak for 5-10 minutes. This will help loosen any stubborn dirt or grime. After soaking, use a soft cloth to gently scrub the gloves, focusing on the fabric between the fingers and areas that appear the dirtiest.

Step #4: Rinse Thoroughly

Once you've finished scrubbing, drain the soapy water and refill with cool, clean water. Soak the gloves for a few minutes, gently rinsing and squeezing until all of the suds are gone.

Step #5: Air Dry

After rinsing, air dry your gloves by hanging them or laying them flat on a clean towel. Make sure the area they’re drying in is well-ventilated and out of direct sunlight. After a couple of hours, flip the gloves to ensure that both sides of the gloves dry. You should never place your gloves in the dryer, as the heat could damage your gloves’ materials.

Frequently Asked Questions about Football Gloves

When working with customers, many of our Football Experts are asked about getting the smell out of football gloves, tips on how to make them sticky again, and if using the washing machine is okay. Here are their suggestions:

How to Get the Smell Out of Football Gloves

To prevent smelly football gloves, let them completely dry between uses. If you’ve washed your gloves following the steps above but still notice an odor, you can try a baking soda soak.

1. Fill a container with lukewarm water and dissolve a half cup of baking soda in the water. 

2. Soak the football gloves for up to one hour. 

3. Refill the container with fresh, clean water and rinse the gloves to remove the baking soda solution. 

4. Finally, hang the gloves or lay them flat on a clean towel to dry.

How to Make Football Gloves Sticky Again

To keep your gloves sticky, be sure to wash them about every 10 wears. To keep them sticky in between washes, wipe down your gloves with a damp cloth or baby wipe to remove any dirt or sweat to restore the grip. You can roll up the wipe and rub it between your gloved palms, making sure to focus on the fingers. After wiping, rub your gloves together to reactivate the grip.

Can You Wash Football Gloves in the Washing Machine?

Yes. Hand washing your football gloves is the preferred method, but if you’re in a pinch, you can wash them in the washing machine. However, always check and follow your gloves’ care label! To machine wash, use cold water, mild detergent, and run the washer on a delicate setting. 

Properly caring for your football gloves will ensure they’re always clean, fresh, and ready for the next game. With any questions about washing your football gloves, contact your local SCHEELS to speak with an Expert!