How To Clean Motorcycle Gloves

September 28, 2022

How To Clean Motorcycle Gloves

Motorcycle gloves are an essential part of your motorcycle protective gear. The first thing to hit the ground is typically your hands, so you want to make sure you have good gloves to protect you from injury. Gloves also provide comfort, especially during long rides and keep your hands from getting calluses. Over time, your motorcycle gloves will accumulate dirt, stains and smells - especially if you’re not washing them. If dirt stays in your gloves for extended periods of time, it can hasten the process of wear and tear. So, in order to retain your gloves’ great features, they must be kept in good condition. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of how to clean and maintain your motorcycle gloves:

Generally, there are two types of motorcycle gloves: leather and mesh (textile). Cleaning mesh gloves can be pretty straightforward, you just have to wash them as you normally would regular fabric.

How to clean Mesh Gloves:

1. Immerse the gloves into a bucket of soapy water. 
2. Scrub the gloves with a brush, working the inside and outside of the gloves well. 
3. Rinse them with water. 
4. Hang the gloves and let them dry completely. 

Notes: Instead of machine washing you are better off cleaning your motorcycle gloves by hand. The harsh spin cycle of the washing machine might damage the fabric, zippers, seams, as well as their other features which could badly affect their performance and longevity.

But with leather motorcycle gloves, you have to be extra careful as leather is more sensitive and could be destroyed when not cared for properly. 

How to wash leather motorcycle gloves:

1. Remove any dirt and grime on the gloves surface. Don’t rinse the leather with water. Washing leather motorcycle gloves will remove the natural oils and as the leather dries out it may well crack. Instead, rub a small amount of oil-based soaps on a clean, soft cloth and gently wipe the surface of your gloves in circular motions.

Use a textile cleaner to clean and eliminate exhaust gas residues, rainwater stains or insect stains stuck on your gloves.

Pro tip: Do not put any cleansing agent (even water) directly on the leather, but on the cleaning cloth.

2. Clean the interior of the gloves. Get complete access to the interior by flipping the gloves inside out. You can also disinfect the area by spraying it with some alcohol which also helps eliminate bad odor. Then use a paper towel to pat dry your gloves from the inside and keep a few paper towels inside to thoroughly absorb all the moisture.

Pro tip: You can use a concoction of baking soda and cornstarch for the unwanted smell.

3. Allow the leather gloves to dry completely. Lay or hang the gloves in a well-ventilated area but keep them away from direct sunlight as too much heat can dry your leather and cause it to crack.

Pro tip: Leather gloves generally take 48-72 hours to dry completely, which is why you should not place them under direct heat to accelerate this process. 

4. Moisturise the leather gloves. Use a good leather conditioner to condition the gloves. Leather conditioners help replace the lost natural oils from the leather and prevent the formation of cracks due, extending their lifespan. Dip a clean, soft cloth into the conditioner and then gently rub it into the leather motorcycle gloves. 

Tips on maintaining your motorcycle gloves

• In case you have to ride on a rainy day, make sure to dry the gloves after. You can dry them quickly by stuffing paper towels or old newspapers inside. Change the stuffing frequently till the insides are dry, then you can use the gloves again for your next ride.
• After riding, let your gloves completely dry out. Do not store them in a closed container as this could invite the growth of fungus on your gloves.
• Even if you ride only a short distance, wipe the gloves down with a clean dry cloth after every ride. This will prevent dust from building up and keep it looking nice for the next ride.
• Do not use any products on your gloves that are not specifically made for leather as harsh chemicals can damage leather or cause the leather not to last as long.

Whether it’s leather, mesh, or any other type of material, keeping your motorcycle gloves is absolutely necessary if you want to be able to use them longer.  When cleaned properly, your gloves can serve you well and for an extended period of time. Ready to clean your motorcycle gear like a pro? Be sure you have all the products you need, check out our range Motorcycle Cleaners today! For more tips and guides, be sure to check out our other blogs.