How To Wash Ski Gloves

Whether you have just purchased a new pair of ski gloves for your new skiing adventures or perhaps just returned from an epic holiday at the slopes, you will need to know how to take care of and wash your gloves to ensure they are clean and ready for next time. We have put together a washing glove cleaning guide to teach you how to clean leather gloves or any other material ski gloves as well as various cleaning methods...

Why Do We Have to Clean and Wash Gloves?

Enjoying those skiing adventures and activities can cause sweating on the inside of your gloves as well as unpleasant aromas that may come from inside your gloves, no matter what they are being used for. Although your ski gloves will keep your hands toasty, dry, and warm by insulating heat in cold temperatures and environments, this can cause an unwanted build-up of bacterias and germs. This is why maintaining your ski gloves as best you can not only assists in the longevity of your gloves but with the comfort for the next time you need them. Very much like waterproofing ski jackets as well as waterproofing gloves, it is important to give your apparel the wash and attention it needs to last long and remain reliable when out on the slopes. For the our full lowdown on winter gloves click here.

Cleaning Your Gloves in the Washing Machine:

If you have a pair of waterproof gloves needing a wash, you will be able to wash ski gloves inside a washing machine. But before you do so, you need to make sure that you do not use regular cleaning detergent, or that there is no detergent residue left inside your washing machine.

Simply rinse your washing machine with cold water to clean out and wash away any residue, place your gloves inside a mesh bag, and ensure your settings are for cold water but a gentle cycle. It is advised to take note of your gloves label for any care guide and washing instructions.

Once your cycle is complete, remove your mittens or gloves and allow them to dry. You want to ensure that all the moisture and water drains out from the fingertips after the wash, to prevent any leftover and collected water from dampening the inside of your gloves. You can choose to either lay them down after draining as much water as possible upside down or simply hang them up on a clothesline from the fingertips until they are completely dry inside and out from any water or moisture.

If you prefer, washing your ski gloves can also be done by hand by simply filling up your basin with lukewarm water (too much heat can shrink your gloves); use a small amount of soap and by keeping your hand inside the glove, gently rub away at all the dirt and bacteria whilst keeping the shape of the glove intact. Once you've hand washed your glove, remember to leave them out to dry before you use them again.

How to Wash and Keep Your Leather Ski Gloves Clean:

As with any leather apparel or material, a more careful approach to washing and drying is required. Whether your gloves are completely covered in leather or simply have leather palms, thumbs, and fingers; always ensure that you never submerge your leather gloves underwater. Use a damp cloth and by hand wipe away and clean as much of the dirt off as possible.

Once you have cleaned your leather gloves, you can leave them out to dry. Be careful not to leave them outside in too much heat. Drying your ski gloves is just as important of a step as the wash; by not following the proper care guide for your leather ski gloves, you could damage the material as well as affect the comfort and fitting of your ski gloves. Once your leather gloves are completely washed and dry, you can opt to use a leather conditioner which will assist in waterproofing your ski gloves as well as preventing the leather from cracking.

Ski Gloves With Removable Liners

If you want to ensure your skiing gloves stand the test of time and accompany you on all your adventures, try to buy or use quality gloves with removable liners. This will assist you in making sure they are easy to clean with soap and water. When it comes to drying; always make sure that you do not place your pair in direct sunlight or high heat as this will damage the material and cause it to fade.

Take note of the soap you use whether it be through handwash or machine wash as strong chemicals may also cause deterioration of the materials. If you are not sure how to wash your new gloves, refer to the care label to guide you with caring instructions such as the preferred temperature of the water, how it should dry out, and what method should be used. Following these care instructions will leave you with clean, odour free and dry gloves, ready for your next holiday out on the slopes.

FAQ's

Can you put ski gloves in the washing machine?

You can put them in, but you shouldn’t put them in. It’s not the best thing to do with them.This is true for most items of clothing you can wash in your washing machine. Unless the manufacturers say it’s safe to do so you are more than likely to diminish the quality of whatever you are washing. ski gloves are more delicate than most garments that would be more easily able to withstand the rigours of the washing cycle.

Can you put ski gloves in the dryer?

Yes you can; if you want to destroy them. Ski gloves are made of materials like Gore-Tex. This is important because the normal dryer is hot enough to melt most fabrics like cotton, which ski gloves are not. Ski gloves are engineered to be used in sub zero cold with skiers’ hands underneath. If you dry ski gloves in the dryer, after time, the materials will break down and become useless. The ski gloves will fit you, but not do anything. The same applies to snowboarding gloves.

How do you dry ski gloves fast?

Skiers commonly leave their wet ski gloves on a radiator or in front of the fireplace to dry, but what they may not know is that a blow dryer can do a better job of speeding up the drying process, while at the same time preventing the possibility of a fire due to high heat.

Use a blow dryer. Heat from a blow dryer helps dry the gloves while simultaneously preventing the possibility of a fire due to high heat.Make sure to set your hair dryer on a low heat, so as not to melt the material of the gloves or damage their waterproof functionality.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Olivia Poglianich          

Content Strategist

Olivia Poglianich is a nomadic brand strategist and copywriter in the ski and snowboard space who has worked with brands such as Visa, Disney and Grey Goose. Her writing has taken her all over the world, from a Serbian music festival to a Malaysian art and culture event. Olivia is a graduate of Cornell University and is often writing or reading about travel, hospitality, the start-up ecosystem or career coaching. Her latest interests are at the intersection of web3 and communal living, both on and offline.