Can you wash boxing gloves in the washing machine?

Boxing is a popular sport. Both children and adults enjoy it. While washing sportswear is easy, cleaning the equipment can be a real challenge. Boxing gloves are especially challenging.

After an intense workout, they get pretty dirty and start to smell. Let's find out whether boxing gloves can be washed in the washing machine and how to properly care for this piece of equipment to avoid ruining them forever.

Will the gloves survive the procedure?

Getting boxing gloves wet is quite risky. There are many arguments in favor of dry cleaning. Here are the reasons why prolonged contact with water is contraindicated:

• gloves made of genuine leather can become hard after improper washing or drying, and gloves made of faux leather can crack;
• Getting wet can cause the low-quality filler to clump. This will cause the equipment to lose its cushioning properties and make it unsuitable for sports.
• Drying boxing gloves takes several days due to their dense padding. This can lead to the proliferation and spread of bacteria and mold in the filling. Harmful microorganisms are dangerous to health and can cause an unpleasant odor.

If gloves are extremely dirty and wet washing is unavoidable, cleaning the equipment must be done very carefully. It's important to follow these guidelines:

• boxing gloves should be soaked in cool water, not hotter than 30°C;
  
• When washing gloves, you should try to ensure that they do not get wet from the inside;
• stains on the outside can be cleaned with a soft sponge, but for the “insides” of the glove it is better to use a soft brush;
• Blood and other stubborn stains can be removed from the skin with cotton wool soaked in hydrogen peroxide.

After each session, be sure to wash your boxing hand wraps to prevent your gloves from getting dirty.

Therefore, prolonged contact of equipment with water is contraindicated. Experts recommend avoiding machine washing of boxing gloves and cleaning them exclusively by hand. After training, it is better to ventilate the equipment well to get rid of the unpleasant smell.

Use the machine at your own risk.

Machine washing boxing mitts is only recommended as a last resort, when airing and hand washing are ineffective. Be sure to place each glove in a special laundry bag; regular pillowcases are also acceptable. This will help protect the equipment from damage.

It is important to run the most gentle machine wash program with a water temperature of 20-30°C.

Be sure to turn off the wringing function. Don't squeeze or twist boxing gloves to remove excess moisture. The water should drain naturally. To speed up the process, you can tap the gloves together.

Traditional care

Athletes who have been involved in boxing for a long time advise not to wet wash gloves at all. After getting wet, there is a high risk of deformation of the product, damage to the outer coating, and damage to the inner padding. Usually, after such a procedure, the equipment becomes unsuitable for training, and it must be disposed of.

When cleaning your gear is absolutely necessary, you can try soaking your boxing gloves in cold, soapy water. Just be careful not to over-soak them, as this can cause the leatherette to crack.

Another wet cleaning method is to soak the gloves in cool water with some salt. This method will eliminate unpleasant odors and tackle stubborn stains. A significant drawback of this washing method is that the genuine leather may dry out, causing the gloves to wrinkle.

To refresh boxing gloves and remove stains from the outside, it's best to use a damp cloth or wipes. After wiping, it's recommended to treat the gloves with colorless shoe polish.

If the gloves smell bad

The problem of unpleasant odor from boxing gear is familiar to every athlete. Boxers understand the damage frequent washing can cause to gloves, so they try to get rid of the stench using natural remedies.

1. Freezing boxing mitts is one of the most popular methods. Place the gloves in a plastic bag and place them in the freezer for 6-8 hours. Bacteria are killed by the low temperatures, and the unpleasant odor disappears. This method shouldn't be used too often, as the cold damages the structure of the natural leather. After freezing, hang the gear on the balcony or in a well-ventilated room for a couple of days to dry.
2. You can place a cotton pad soaked in apple cider vinegar inside your gloves. After two hours, remove the cotton pad and hang the gloves on the balcony to air out. The vinegar "stench" will dissipate in about two days, and the sweat smell will be gone.
3. Another option is to treat your equipment with a special aerosol. Antibacterial sprays can be purchased at any sporting goods store. The convenient spray nozzle makes it easy to apply to both the outside and inside of the gloves. To completely neutralize the unpleasant odor, you'll need to apply the spray several times.

A less popular, but equally effective, method is to place the gloves in a sterilizer used for baby bottles. Some athletes use a microwave oven for this purpose, setting the microwave to the lowest temperature.

How to wash it off?

When washing boxing gloves, avoid using dry detergents. The granules will inevitably become lodged in the padding and leather pores, making it very difficult to rinse thoroughly.

Therefore, it's best to use liquid gels for delicate fabrics for cleaning. Sulfate-free shampoos or liquid baby soap are also acceptable.

   

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