It’s pointless to wash leather gloves without taking care of the interior. Due to accumulated sweat and moisture, it houses bacteria, mold, odor, and even contaminants.
Most leather gloves come with delicate linings that require special care. In this article, we’ll introduce three simple and efficient methods. Keep reading for how to clean leather gloves inside.
Table of Contents
How to Clean the Interior of Leather Gloves
Method 1: Clean leather gloves inside with soap and water
The easiest way to wash gloves is to use soap and water. Hence, you should prepare:
- Mild soap
- Clean cloth
Follow these steps to clean the interior:
- Step 1. Mix mild soap with water to make a cleaning solution and lather up a cloth. If you’re using a bar or tint soap, dampen a cloth and rub it across the bar to create lather.
- Step 2. Turn leather gloves inside out. Then, rub the interior with the soapy cloth. You should start at the wrist and work towards the fingertips.
- Step 3. Rinse the cloth, wring it, and wipe the soap on the gloves. Be careful not to apply excessive water to them.
- Step 4. Leave the gloves in a ventilated area to dry. While they are drying, you should stretch them several times to prevent shrinkage.
Method 2: Clean leather gloves inside with white vinegar
Do you know that vinegar can kill up to 99% of bacteria? This household item will clean and sanitize your suede gloves thoroughly.
Before cleaning, make sure that you have:
- White vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Cloth
Follow these steps:
- Step 1. In a spray bottle, pour equal amounts of water and white vinegar.
- Step 2. Turn the gloves inside out and spray the solution on the interior. Be careful not to soak the material.
- Step 3. Let the solution sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Step 4. Pat the gloves with a clean cloth and leave them to air dry.
Method 3: Clean the gloves inside with baking soda
Baking soda helps absorb oil, moisture, and odor inside the gloves. This method is quick, and you won’t have to wait for your pair to dry. You’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Soft toothbrush
Here are four steps to dry cleaning leather gloves with baking soda:
- Step 1. Sprinkle one to two tablespoons of baking soda into the gloves. Remember to spread it evenly to the fingers.
- Step 2. Cover the wrist and gently shake to distribute the powder.
- Step 3. Let the baking soda sit for a few hours.
- Step 4. Turn the gloves inside out and use a brush to remove the remaining power.
Additional tips
1. Take care of the exterior
After cleaning the interior, turn the gloves right side out. Do you notice any creases or cracks? If you do, smooth out the leather and use a leather conditioner to restore the exterior.
- Put on the gloves and stretch your fingers
- Scoop a generous amount of leather conditioner
- Rub your hands together to massage the product to the leather
- Let the conditioner sit for a few hours
- Remove any excess with a lint-free cloth
2. Dry the inside completely
If you often sweat when wearing leather gloves, remember to air them out after each use. Accumulated sweat can cause mold and odor to develop inside your gloves.
You should also pay attention to drying the pair completely after washing. You can use a glove dryer or fan, but don’t introduce high heat to your leather gloves.
3. Disinfect the inside regularly
Lastly, disinfect and sanitize your gloves’ insides regularly. Don’t wait until the gloves itch your skin and cause rashes.
You should turn the gloves inside out and lightly spray rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on them. Don’t use too much product as such chemicals can dry out your skin.
Conclusion
To wrap up, how to clean leather gloves inside? You can use soapy water, dilute white vinegar, or baking soda. It will take less than five minutes to bring back your fresh and clean leather gloves.
So, which method do you choose? What works best for you? Leave your thoughts in the comment section.
Veronica is our content editor. She is a talent in delivery. Her main work is editing and writing articles that are both informative and simple to follow. She is in charge of synthesizing our understanding of what personal protection equipment (PPE) is needed in each job, how to best apply it, and how to visualize that equipment.