Goalkeeper gloves ideally need washing after every match, as they can get very dirty.
When you add in all the sweat from wearing them, there are plenty of reasons why you’d want to clean your goalkeeper gloves!
Can you put goalkeeper gloves in the washing machine to clean them? If not, what’s the best way to do it? Read on to find out.
Can You Put Goalkeeper Gloves in the Washing Machine?
You generally shouldn’t put goalkeeper gloves in the washing machine.
The length of time they’re exposed to water, plus the temperature and agitating action, can degrade the materials used in the gloves, causing them to break down. As such, cleaning by hand is the better option.
Traditionally, goalkeeping gloves were made from leather. However, modern versions often contain a mix of foam, polyurethane (PU) leather, and latex.
Latex and PU don’t do well with prolonged water exposure and, as with other rubber-like materials, high temperatures can cause them to degrade.
How Do You Wash Goalkeeper Gloves?
Arguably the best option for washing goalie gloves is by hand. Simply do as follows:
- Fill a bowl or basin with lukewarm water. It should be around body temperature, meaning you shouldn’t really feel its warmth when you put your fingers in it.
- Use a dedicated glove cleaner, such as gloveglu Foama, which is specially formulated to work with goalkeeper glove materials.
- Follow the instructions on the product and rinse off in clean warm water.
- Leave the gloves to dry at room temperature away from direct heat and sunlight.
Importantly, you should avoid any harsh chemicals when cleaning your goalie gloves.
If you don’t want to buy a dedicated product, gentle laundry detergent should be fine. However, you might find that it doesn’t provide the type of cleaning you need because it’s not designed for use on latex and foam.
Soaking Goalkeeper Gloves
If your goalie gloves are a bit smelly but are otherwise clean, you can try soaking them for a short time in some water.
Mix warm water with 3-4 tablespoons of white vinegar. Submerge the gloves and leave them for around 30 minutes.
Rinse the gloves in clean water and leave to dry as per the instructions above. Avoid leaving the gloves submerged for too long, as this could impact the latex and other materials.
Should You Wet Goalkeeper Gloves?
Most goalie gloves with latex palms recommend wetting them before play, as it improves the latex’s grip. If you do this, try to avoid getting water inside the gloves because this can make them smell faster. Also, it’d be pretty uncomfortable to play with wet hands!
Final Thoughts
Goalkeeper gloves can be pretty expensive bits of kit. As such, it’s vital to care for them properly to make them last as long as possible.
Along with using the correct products, you should wash your gloves after every use, as dirt and grime can dry out the synthetic materials and cause them to perish faster.
Jacob is a freelance writer based in Wales, where he lives with his partner and two dogs. All his work is fuelled by extensive research and buckets of coffee.
