It's not always easy to decipher care labels! To make sure you don't get it wrong, here are our tips for cleaning your synthetic or leather ski gloves.
How to clean and maintain your ski gloves Machine wash or hand wash?
To remove any doubts and keep your winter gloves in good condition for as long as possible, follow our step-by-step advice.
Machine washing is not recommended for most synthetic and gore-tex gloves (see manufacturer's care label). After all, running them through the washing machine will damage these little technological gems, which are water-repellent, breathable and waterproof.
To extend the life of your ski gloves, take some time to hand wash them.
Discover how to clean your ski gloves by hand in 3 easy steps:
👉 Run warm water with a little liquid detergent or mild soap in your sink, washbasin or in a basin. Be careful not to use water that is too hot as it can damage the fibres of your ski gloves.
👉 Immerse your ski gloves and soak your soapy water well into the material.
👉 Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all the detergent.
Once your ski gloves have been washed, they must be dried. Like the washing machine, the tumble dryer should be avoided if you want to preserve your ski gloves.
Simply air dry your gloves, hanging by a finger or lying flat. Avoid leaving them near a heat source or in direct sunlight to avoid deforming the material.
After washing and drying, are your ski gloves still waterproof? As with your ski clothes, it is necessary to add a waterproofing and water-repellent treatment regularly.
Do the water drop test as explained in our article: how to waterproof ski clothes.
If the drop does not slide off the waterproof membrane of your glove, it is time to use a waterproofing agent.
Follow the specific instructions for use of the product to be sprayed evenly all over the glove before allowing to dry.
The bad smell in your ski gloves is due to the growth of bacteria caused by moisture and perspiration. Washing is not the most effective way to get rid of it, so it is better to use an anti-bacterial spray.
Spray the inside of your gloves and allow time to dry before putting your gloves back on. On a daily basis, the best way to prevent the bad smell from settling in your gloves is to let them dry in a dry and ventilated place after each ski trip.
Leather is a strong and warm natural material that is very popular for making quality gloves. If you have leather gloves, it is not necessary to clean them frequently, but they require special attention if you wish to do so.
Simply wipe the entire surface of your gloves with a damp cloth, without detergent. If necessary, you can add a touch of special leather cleaner.. Then remove as much water as possible with a clean, dry cloth before letting them air dry. Be careful not to put your gloves near a heat source, as the leather may crack.
Finally, treat your gloves with a leather moisturiser that will nourish the material. This same cream can be used for regular maintenance of your gloves, the hydration of the leather helps to preserve the material for a long time.
With a little care, your ski gloves (synthetic or leather) will last you for many years.
When I'm not yomping around my native Pyrenees, I am probably surfing in the Basque Country, my adoptive home. I have always been a sports enthusiast and I like to do everything: skiing, downhill skiing, climbing, road biking, mountain biking, trail riding, surfing... and I share with you everything I have learned over the years."
