Having fun on the slopes is important and you do this by having all your gear in place — ski poles, helmets, thermal socks, and gloves. Without these, you can’t enjoy skiing in the Rocky Mountains or wherever the cold rush calls you.
However, one thing we tend to neglect is the cleanliness of these items. That being said, let’s take a look at how to wash ski gloves. That way, they remain clean and are not a breeding ground for bacteria (gross!).
Quick Jump
Can You Wash Ski Gloves?
Yes, you can wash ski gloves and it is something everyone should add to their equipment maintenance routine. It is, however, important to make sure that they are washed or cleaned correctly.
Even the best ski gloves need to be washed with care as not doing so can cause damage to them. After all, you don’t want to spend money on something only to have it damaged during cleaning.
The type of material used to make the gloves is the most important thing to consider when cleaning them. Are your gloves leather, wool, or cotton? Well, there are different ways to clean them.
How to Wash Winter Gloves
You should incorporate the tips below when learning how to wash gloves. We’ll look at washing ski gloves made from leather, wool, and cotton. Some gloves are warmer and more durable than others, but may take longer to dry. Keep this in mind when washing your gloves before your next ski trip.
How to Clean Leather Ski Gloves
Are your ski gloves made from leather? If so, you should not wash them in a washing machine or soak them in water at all as this can draw out their natural oils and make them stiff. Instead, gently wipe the dirt off them with a clean damp cloth.
Next, spray a leather cleaner solution onto the leather and rub it in, then use a clean cloth to wipe the solution away – but do not rinse it off. This is best practice. A leather cleaner solution can be obtained from a laundry service store or a leather goods store.
Once you’re sure your leather ski gloves have dried thoroughly, you can then use a polishing cloth with leather wax or conditioner to help them stay waterproof. This also helps to prevent them from cracking.
Ensure that you are wearing your leather gloves while gently polishing them, to make sure you don’t miss a spot. As much as leather wax and conditioner are great for leather, they’re not made for non-leather materials, so don’t use them on parts of your gloves that aren’t leather.
If you would like to properly care for your leather gloves, rather take them to dry cleaners who are specialists when it comes to cleaning all things leather.
How to Clean Other Ski Gloves
Other ski gloves will require a less stringent wash care routine. You’ll need to follow these steps to give them a good wash:
- Add a drop of dish or liquid hand soap to a basin of water.
- Soak your gloves in the water for a few minutes. This will allow the soap to work its way into the gloves.
- Drain the basin of water and use your fingers to press out any excess water from your gloves.
- Avoid wringing your gloves. This is so it does not lose its shape.
- Using a clean towel, place your gloves in them and press out any water that remains by rolling the towel over your gloves.
- Unroll the towel and flatly place your gloves on a drying rack.
Materials and Equipment Needed to Wash Ski Gloves
Yes, cleaning leather gloves is a chore and requires a certain process to be followed. However, glove washing — no matter the material — is no different. You’ll have to have your cleaning materials readily available, a place to wash or clean your gloves, and a place to dry them.
The cleaning materials and equipment you’ll need to wash ski and winter gloves and mittens are:
- A little dish soap
- A leather cleaning solution (if cleaning leather gloves)
- A drying rack or table against the wall to place your ski gloves in an upright position
- Clothing pegs
- A well-ventilated area
How to Dry Ski Gloves
This is probably the least labor-intensive part of washing ski gloves. Drying ski gloves involves just leaving them to air dry at room temperature. Avoid using heat of any kind (tumble dryer, heater, hairdryer, etc) as this could shrink or damage your precious gloves.
Place your ski gloves in an upright position indoors on a drying rack or against the wall. This will allow for warm air to flow into them in an upwards motion, allowing them to dry quicker. Your ski gloves will dry faster if they allow for air to easily pass through them (i.e. if they are breathable). If not it will take much longer for them to dry.
Keep this in mind when planning ski trips where you need to wash your ski gloves beforehand. This will help you avoid potential disappointment.
If you have removable liners as part of your ski gloves, carefully remove them and hang them the same way as mentioned above. Grab a few pegs and gently peg the fingertips of your ski gloves to the drying rack. Make sure to leave enough space between the fingertips and the pegs so that they dry properly as well.
All that’s left is for you to wait for them to fully dry, so you can pack them in your bag and go on to have lots of fun on those slippery slopes.
Is It Worth Learning How to Wash Gloves?
Learning how to clean gloves, and ski gloves in particular, is important. Not only does it keep your gloves smelling clean and fresh, but it protects your hands from unnecessary germs and bacteria that may fester in sweaty and grimy gloves.
If there is anything we’ve learned from the pandemic, it is that practicing good hygiene is critical. Now that you know how to clean ski gloves and dry them properly, you’ll be ready to hit the slopes with all your (clean) ski gear packed.
