How to Care for Your Leather Gloves

Leather gloves are used for a variety of purposes, like welding, hunting, driving, and protecting your hands from the cold. While these gloves play an essential part in our routine, it is necessary to take good care of them.

You may also want to avoid purchasing a new pair of high-quality leather gloves that are usually expensive. You aim to retain the quality and performance of your existing gloves. So, if you’re wondering how to care for your leather gloves, this guide should solve the problem!

Types of leather

There are different types of leather gloves available in the market. Each one has its own distinct features and so will need to be treated accordingly. It is a good practice to know about the leather that is used to make your gloves before caring for them.

Cowhide leather:

Cowhide is best known for its durability, softness, and comfort. It is thick and has a smooth finish. Because of its toughness, products manufactured from cowhide are well-suited for daily use.

Compared to other leathers, cowhides are more resistant to wear and tear. Plus, the leather is a natural flame retardant.

Pigskin leather:

Pigskin is a dense leather with lower durability and softness than cowhide. It gives a moderately supple feel when items made from it are worn. Pigskin has an uneven, pore-like texture with excellent resistance to abrasion.

Products made from pigskin typically remain soft and flexible even while wet.

Deerskin leather:

Deerskin is one of the softest and toughest leathers available. It has a rugged texture that is naturally resistant to abrasions. Like pigskin, deerskin leather remains soft and pliable while wet.

Due to its soft, breathable nature, deerskin products are comfortable to wear.

Sheepskin leather:

Sheepskin leather is very lightweight and softer than cowhides. It conforms to the body due to its greater elasticity. It is also breathable, thus regulating the airflow during hot or cold temperatures.

Just like cowhides, sheepskin is naturally flame resistant. One unique feature of this type of leather is its hypo-allergenic properties. The lanolin present in sheepskin is believed to cure skin inflammation.

Goatskin leather:

Goatskin leather is widely known for its softness and suppleness. It is lightweight, durable, and naturally resistant to water. Goatskin has a pebble-like texture that is resistant to abrasion. The leather products made from goatskin are breathable and comfortable to wear.

How to Care for Your Leather Gloves:

You probably have identified the type of leather used in making your gloves. Now that you have learned about it, let’s look at how you can take care of them. It is advisable to wash the gloves unless they are completely worn out.

If your gloves are made of cowhides/goatskin/pigskin:

1. To get rid of exterior stains, rub an oil-based saddle soap in a microfiber cloth or paper towel
2. Add little water and make a lather
3. Clean the stains and dirty areas of your gloves using the soap bubbles instead of water
4. Use a clean damp cloth or a paper towel to remove the residue
5. Let it air dry completely

Note:

• Avoid using bleach or other harsh chemicals as they may cause discoloration
• Do not use a machine dryer, heat source or direct sunlight for drying the gloves

If your gloves are made of deerskin:

1. Use a mild detergent or soap and mix it with cool water in a bowl
2. Take a clean white cloth and dip it in the mixture
3. Gently rub the cloth on the stains and the dirty areas of the gloves.
4. Squeeze the gloves and take a clean large towel to remove the surplus water
5. Allow your gloves to air dry completely

Note:

• Avoid wringing the gloves as it will damage the texture
• Avoid using bleach or other harsh chemicals

If your gloves are made of sheepskin:

1. Use a mild soap and mix it with cool or lukewarm water in a bowl
2. Soak the gloves then gently rub them to remove dirt
3. Rinse with water
4. Carefully squeeze off the excess water
5. Let it air dry completely on a flat surface

Note:

• Avoid using bleach or other harsh chemicals
• Avoid wringing the gloves as it will permanently misshape the leather
• Do not machine wash the gloves
• Do not expose the gloves to a heat source or direct sunlight

How to sanitize and deodorize your gloves:

Frequent use of gloves can lead to the accumulation of germs along with an unpleasant smell on the inside. To eliminate these issues, it is necessary to sanitize and deodorize your gloves after use.

1. Take 1 or 2 tablespoons of baking soda and sprinkle it into each glove, ensuring it reaches the finger slots
2. Hold the gloves upside-down, cover the opening and shake gently to evenly distribute the baking soda
3. Let it sit for a few hours and then shake the powder out
4. Turn the gloves inside out and use a vacuum cleaner to remove the remaining powder

How to maintain your gloves:

When you purchase a new pair of gloves, you can minimize its regular maintenance by waterproofing them first. This can be done by applying a small amount of waterproofing wax onto the surface of the gloves.

Make sure not to apply too much of it as it may darken the color. After letting it sit for a few minutes, air dry them completely.

How to store your gloves:

Proper storage of leather gloves is just as important as cleaning them. Doing so will not only increase life expectancy but also will retain its appearance. It is advisable to store your gloves flat in a dry, well-ventilated area.

This will prevent the formation of mold and creases on the surface. Also, instead of putting the gloves in a bag, it is best to wrap them in a clean cloth.

To conclude, your leather gloves are a valuable accessory. Taking proper care of them will not only let you wear them for a long time but also will save you money