Can boxing gloves be washed? Methods and rules

Boxing gloves are considered sports equipment. They, like any other element of special clothing, need regular cleaning. Outside pollution is rarely observed, except for dust. But the inside of the product becomes saturated with sweat, and therefore the stuffing quickly begins to stink. It becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and dangerous fungi, for which a humid environment is favorable for reproduction.

Find out how to properly wash boxing gloves to rid them of this trouble from our article with video. The clear instructions for this process presented in it will dispel all doubts about the complexity of cleaning.

Can boxing gloves be washed?

It is not recommended to wash gloves made of leather or its artificial substitute. The material can not only deform, but also begin to crack and crumble. In addition, it is difficult to completely dry a dense layer of filler.

Products are made of several layers:

The outer covering in most cases is made of a durable leather cover. Exposure to moisture has a negative effect on it.
The middle layer consists of a special filler and is laid so that it retains the desired shape for a long time.
The lower one is covered with natural fabric, which prevents the appearance of calluses.

Just a few drops of water that get into the pores and seams cause mold and rot. As a result, the internal structure of the protection is destroyed.

Despite this, there are several methods of “gentle” washing, in which the product can be preserved.

Danger of getting wet

Boxing gloves are a multi-layer construction covered with genuine leather or its substitute. The inside of such equipment is stuffed with horsehair, cotton wool or polyurethane to soften impacts and protect the athlete's hands.

Getting completely wet is dangerous for this sports accessory due to its multi-layer structure and the nature of the materials. When wet, the filler may clump together and stop protecting the limbs upon impact, which can lead to injuries in the future.

In addition, this part of the equipment is difficult to dry. If moisture accumulates in the filler, mold fungi and pathogenic microorganisms will begin to develop in it, which cause an unpleasant musty odor and can damage the skin of the athlete’s hands.

Getting wet is no less dangerous for the surface of the equipment, since it deteriorates from moisture. The skin or its substitute becomes rougher, and instead of folds and bends, cracks appear on them.

During intense training, even minor damage turns into tears due to the load on the material, so it is not recommended to immerse this sports accessory in water.

Basic principles for washing boxing gloves

It is impossible to clean boxing gloves without wet cleaning, especially when tournaments are held outdoors. To preserve not only the appearance, but also the integrity of sports equipment, consider the following rules:

Use only warm water. You can't take hot or cold.
As a detergent, take a special gel intended for washing. A simple baby shampoo or regular shampoo is suitable if it does not contain parabens or sulfates.
Do not press or twist the equipment. Remove any remaining moisture by lightly pressing the gloves together.
After washing, do not leave the gloves wet, otherwise an unpleasant odor will quickly appear and bacteria will begin to develop inside.
Do not dry the product in direct ultraviolet rays or near a heat source. Place crumpled newspaper inside to quickly absorb excess moisture.
Rub the tops of gloves made from natural or artificial leather with glycerin after washing. Castor oil is also suitable.
When using an automatic washing machine, turn off the spin cycle and use a special liquid powder.
Dry the product on the balcony or under a canopy, avoiding direct exposure to the sun.

Drying gloves takes several days. During this time, rapid proliferation of bacteria may begin. Carry out washing only in warm weather.

Wet processing

This method is the best of all those presented above. To maintain a neat appearance and overall service life, it is necessary to perform several actions after each training or fight:

When you get home, immediately take the gloves out of your sports bag, or better yet, wear them separately. The more they are ventilated, the better.
Make a solution using two glasses of warm water and a teaspoon of detergent. Adding a couple of drops of ammonia will help you more effectively get rid of complex stains.
The outer part is wiped with a small piece of cloth slightly moistened in the solution. After this, the procedure is repeated, but using a soft, dry cloth.
To clean the inside, use a vinegar solution: to do this, mix water and apple cider vinegar or regular table vinegar (1:1 proportions). For a disinfecting effect, you can add two or three drops of essential oil to the mixture. Pour this liquid into a container and spray it with a spray bottle, then wipe thoroughly with a dry towel.

It is not recommended to use deodorants to eliminate bacteria, as they only mask the unpleasant odor and can make the gloves uncomfortable.

How to remove an unpleasant odor?

The design of the glove is closed, so a not very pleasant aroma often appears inside. There are several easy-to-use and effective remedies to solve the problem.

Plants help remove unpleasant aroma - pour dry lavender or mint, oak bark or pine nuts inside the glove and leave for several hours.

Chemicals

These drugs show high efficiency. Today there is a large selection of different products on the market that help quickly eliminate the unpleasant odor inside gloves. The most effective are:

SmellOff. The product is environmentally friendly and natural, does not cause allergies or burns to the skin. Despite the chemical composition, it does not contain dangerous or aggressive substances.
Read also: Why boil milk and how to do it correctly - useful tips and little tricks
Hatch. The spray contains special components against bacteria. It turns out that there is a pronounced antiseptic effect, there is a light pleasant aroma.
NO STINK. The pads contain a deodorizing substance that consists of real charcoal. Apply the product inside your gloves regularly.
Collonil. The spray is economical to use and is great for different types of materials. Helps quickly and effectively get rid of unpleasant odors.
Cliven. The product is in the form of a cream, which is applied to problem areas and left for a certain time specified in the instructions. To completely remove the odor after treatment with the product, leave the gloves for at least 6 hours.
Salamander. The aerosol has a fungicidal effect and the effect is long-lasting. The manufacturer recommends using the product several hours before using gloves, as it takes some time for the drug to be absorbed.

There is no need to additionally wash gloves before using the odor neutralizer. Simple cleaning to remove visible dirt and drying is sufficient.

Folk remedies

These products are completely natural and help to easily get rid of the unpleasant odor inside boxing gloves. The most effective are:

Vinegar. Take a cotton pad and wet it, place it inside the glove and leave for 10-14 hours. This time is enough for the vinegar to remove all the bacteria that cause the unpleasant odor. Then be sure to ventilate the gloves.
Cold. Pack each glove in a bag and place it in the freezer for two days. Thaw the product and dry it for at least 48 hours.
Hydrogen peroxide. Pour exactly one bottle into the product and shake well for 60 seconds. Drain the remaining liquid and air the gloves for several days.
Soda. Take 1-3 pinches of the product and distribute evenly over the inner surface of the glove. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining baking soda.
Tea. After each workout, place black tea bags inside your gloves. They have the ability to absorb excess moisture and carry out partial disinfection.
Dryer cloths. After pre-cleaning the gloves, take the product and treat the inside. For greater effect, place the wipes inside the gloves and leave them until the next time you use the equipment.
Essential oil. Take a product that has a disinfecting effect and kills fungal spores and removes unpleasant odors (for example, mint, orange, eucalyptus or lemon). Fill a spray bottle with clean water (250 ml) and add essential oil (10 drops). Spray the resulting mixture inside each mitten.

If baking soda was used, make sure the product has been completely removed. Even small particles of the substance remaining inside the gloves can corrode the skin of the hands when in contact with heat and moisture.

How to machine wash, hand wash and dry clean

One of the main components of the process is choosing the appropriate product. It should be as gentle, caring and relatively safe for such capricious products. It is best to take preparations for delicate washing or cashmere that contain lanolin:

Cristal;
Perwoll;
Weasel;
Villi.

Important: unfortunately, it will still not be possible to fully wash the gloves. By wet cleaning you will only remove the top layer of dirt.

Machine wash rules

Proceed with washing in the washing machine as a last resort, because you cannot vouch for the quality of the material and the integrity of the manufacturer, who could replace a durable filler with a cheaper one.

During the process, use a delicate, gentle wash as much as possible.
The temperature should not exceed 30 degrees. The bacteria, of course, will not die, but you can get rid of the smell.
Use liquid detergent. Choose with lanolin or for cashmere. The main thing is that it has the safest possible composition and has caring components.
It is best to place each glove in a washing net before loading.
You should not combine equipment with other things.
Drying and spinning in a machine cannot be used.
After washing, turn the gloves over with the opening facing down and allow the water to drain freely.

Important: it is worth considering that due to rotation in the drum of the machine, the filler most often clumps into clumps.

Manual rinsing and drying

Most athletes leave machine washing as a last resort, content with doing it manually. Get ready for the fact that you will not be able to completely wash the inside, but you will be able to somehow clean the product.

Instead of a full wash, many people prefer soaking. For gloves, it lasts no longer than three hours, the liquid temperature is room temperature. The process has two ways:

Dissolve 50 g of powder in 10 liters of water;
Mix 250 g of salt completely in one bucket of water. To achieve a high-quality result, things can be left in this solution overnight.

The sequence of actions during manual cleaning is as follows:

The outside of the material is wiped with a soft cloth, and the inside with a similar brush.
Rinsing must be repeated many times. In this case, you cannot rub or squeeze the product. If you have already wet the inner lining, then water is simply drawn into the glove and drained until it comes out clean.
The mittens do not twist. They are turned over with the hole down and the water is knocked out by tapping them against each other.

Dry cleaning

In addition to the usual washing, there is also dry cleaning. She will help you out if:

a short gap is expected between fights;
when biological particles are visible from the outside and can be absorbed into the surface;
you have plenty of time to dry and there is no need to rush it.

There are several cleaning methods:

The outer surface is wiped with a regular cloth. You can use just water, or it’s better to add a little soap and wash the trim with it. If you find any stains that cannot be removed by regular wiping, then treat them with hydrogen peroxide (moisten a cotton swab and rub). Please note that the surface must remain dry after the procedure.
Get a hairdryer involved. Remember that the minimum heating mode is acceptable (cold air is acceptable). The nozzle is directed directly into the product. According to the technology, turn off the device every 5 minutes and check how dry the inside of the mitten is. Once you've finished with one glove, move on to the second. This method is good if you have several fights in a row.

Also on store shelves you can find more modern products specially produced for fabrics that cannot be washed:

Spot Remover. Dry powder that quickly fights various contaminants. Can be used at any time in a convenient place.
DRYEL. Incredibly easy to use dry cleaning kit. Gives things a pleasant smell.
K2r is an aerosol stain remover. Suitable for any type of fabric. It acts quickly and easily dissolves stains.

In addition to all of the above, there are many folk and chemical remedies that will help you remove unpleasant odors, partially or completely disinfect the inside of the mittens, and at least prolong the service of your equipment for a short time.

Detergents

It is prohibited to use any aggressive powders to clean boxing gloves. Particles of the product will definitely remain in the pores of the skin and the filler. As a result, it is simply impossible to completely rinse your equipment.

If there is an urgent need to wash your boxing gloves, choose detergents that have a mild, gentle effect. A gel designed for thin and delicate materials is excellent for this. Sulfate-free shampoo can also be used.

Question to the expert

How to prevent the spread of bacteria inside boxing gloves?

An excellent way is to regularly use a special antibacterial spray (several times a week). The product prevents the spread of harmful microorganisms. The spray can be applied both inside gloves and directly on hands before putting on equipment. In the same way, pharmaceutical gel is used, which has an antiseptic effect.

Cleaning the bandages

To keep your gloves from getting wet as little as possible, it is recommended to use boxing wraps. They are wrapped around each hand before putting on the protective equipment, due to which the multilayer accessory becomes dirty more slowly. Washing boxing bandages can be much easier because they are made of fabric. It is advisable to clean them after each workout.

Because boxers' hands sweat a lot during physical activity, the fabric becomes saturated with secretions, and if it is reused without cleaning, the skin of the upper extremities stops breathing and sweating increases. There are a few things to consider when caring for your bandages:

They can be washed either by hand or in a machine;
when using the machine, you should choose a temperature of no more than 35 degrees and a delicate wash mode, otherwise the bandages may lose their shape;
for cleaning it is better to use mild detergents;
when machine washing, it is advisable to place the bandage in a special mesh so that it does not stretch;
It is not recommended to iron this part of the equipment.

After cleansing, the bandages must be straightened and dried thoroughly. So that they have time to dry completely, it is better to have a spare pair. Drying is recommended to be done away from radiators and radiators, and also not under the influence of sunlight.

Drying gloves

Even if the mittens have not been washed, be sure to dry them well after each workout. Various methods are used for this. The main thing is that gloves should not be left on heaters or open sun.

Hairdryer

The method is suitable for quick drying of the product. Use only cold mode, as hot air can ruin your equipment.

Observe the following rules:

Direct the hair dryer inside the glove and dry for several minutes.
Check the result. If necessary, repeat the procedure until the inside is completely dry.
Treat the second glove in the same way.

Newspapers

This is a simple and effective folk method that allows you to remove all the moisture remaining inside the gloves. For this:

Open your gloves as far as possible.
Take newspaper and crumple it, place it inside each product. Toilet paper is a suitable substitute.
Leave the gloves on for now, but check periodically.
If the newspaper absorbs moisture, replace it with dry newspaper.
Repeat the procedure until completely dry.

Drying shoes

The method takes a lot of time, since the product must dry on its own. Open the gloves as wide as possible and fasten the lacing or Velcro. Place or hang them on the dryer and wait until they are completely dry.

If you place the dryer next to an open window, in a draft, or near a running fan, the process of moisture evaporation will speed up.

Pollution prevention

To minimize the frequency of cleaning, the following product care rules must be observed:

Air out your equipment after each fight. Remove the mittens from the bag, unfold them or open them as much as possible and leave them in a dry, well-ventilated place until completely dry.
After drying, the surface should be wiped with a damp sponge or napkin, removing any excess salt. If this is not done, the leatherette will wear out very quickly and become brittle.
Ideally, Vaseline, special oil or balm are applied to the surface. This manipulation can be performed 3-4 times a month. This impregnation maintains the elasticity of the product.
To ensure that the inner surface of the gloves absorbs less moisture, you should wrap your wrists with special bandages during training.
Once or twice a week you need to spray the inside of the mitten with special anti-bacterial sprays.
The equipment must be put on only with dry hands.
After the end of the fight, gloves are placed separately from other equipment and uniforms.
If your hands become excessively sweaty, immediately after using the mittens, push some paper into them.

Manually

Hand washing is a time-tested and most reliable way to return fabric shoes to their original appearance. If you follow some professional advice, you can achieve a greater effect than from machine washing.

Basic rules:

Hot water is excluded, since it has a detrimental effect on the fabric (as a result, the shoes fall apart and change shape).
The entire washing process should take no more than an hour, including soaking.
It is better to dilute powdered products in warm water first.
To remove stubborn stains from the outside, use a soft-bristled brush, otherwise pellets will appear on the fabric.

To make washing easier, sneakers are soaked first.

The following solutions are suitable for this:

baking soda (70-80 g) + table vinegar, if the fabric is white (100 ml);
laundry soap shavings (120 g);
dishwashing detergent (2-3 tsp) + vinegar (2.5 tbsp);
5-6 tbsp. l. salt (good for removing grass marks);
all-purpose stain remover or oxygen-containing bleach.

Any chosen product is dissolved in two liters of water and the sneakers are immersed there for about 40 minutes. The resulting composition can be applied directly to the fabric, but then left for no more than 15 minutes.

When bleaching white sneakers, the product must be applied outside and inside, taking special care to coat the seams and bends. Otherwise, the shade will vary when drying.

Upon completion of the preparatory activities, proceed directly to washing:

Water at a temperature of 30 to 40 ᵒC is poured into the basin.
Mix in a little washing powder or gel (approximately 40 g of product per 3 liters of water).
Place the sneakers in the solution and brush the outside and inside with a brush. Insoles with laces are washed in the same way.
Replace contaminated water with clean water and rinse shoes in it. Usually you have to do this several times.

This completes the process, all that remains is to properly dry the sneakers.

How to get rid of the smell of moonshine at home: re-distillation

The second distillation is necessary to increase the strength, as well as to further purify the drink. Despite multiple purification at the previous stages, crushing into fractions during re-distillation should not be neglected.

The resulting alcohol is diluted with water to 40-45º. In fact, it can already be consumed internally, but to soften the taste and improve the aroma, it is recommended to infuse it for some time. The infusion time depends on the specific recipe.

When producing elite high-strength alcoholic drinks, their further aging under certain conditions is required. In the case of moonshine, aging helps eliminate the fusel smell and has a better effect on its taste. And if you also infuse it with aromatic additives, you can get a product comparable in quality to whiskey or cognac.

Consider one recipe that quickly turns homemade moonshine into a noble drink:

For 3 liters of moonshine 45º, take 50 grams of oak bark (sold in a pharmacy). You will also need 100 grams of raisins and two tablespoons of honey.
First you need to dissolve honey in 100 grams of boiled water. The resulting solution is poured into moonshine. This will reduce its strength by a few degrees, but it will not fall below 40º.
Then oak bark and raisins are added. Everything is thoroughly mixed. The resulting mixture is infused in a glass container in a dark place at room temperature for at least a month. The contents are then passed through a cotton pad or paper filter.

This alcohol will be pleasant to drink, and by its aroma it will be difficult to determine that it is moonshine. This drink will not be embarrassing to put on the table for guests.

The process is carried out as follows:

The “head” separates again. These fusel substances make the smell of the liquid output close to the aroma of mash. When the characteristic basis disappears, it will be possible to begin obtaining the “body”.
The drink is distilled until its strength exceeds 45 degrees. This is exactly the product that will be used for consumption.
At the end the “tails” come out. This part can be used to make a new mash - just pour the liquid into the new starter.

This completes the secondary distillation. The product is almost ready for use. Additionally, it is advisable to defend the drink.

Be sure to read:

How to get rid of the smell of mold and dampness at home: effective methods

The time depends on the recipe and the desired result. During the settling process, “stray” substances may sink to the bottom, leaving an unpleasant odor.

Winding question

How to wrap boxing bandages? In practice, there are many methods for this. But the most popular and simplest are the following:

First. Standard. The loop needs to be put on the thumb (BP), the bandage should be turned along the outside of the hand. The initial turns secure the wrist. Then the product is again thrown through the power supply. The next turn goes slightly below the BP, then above it. This is how the phalanxes are captured. On the back area, the bandage should be criss-crossed, placed on the wrist and fixing the BP. Then the processes are repeated. The canvas ends on the palm under the initial phalanx.

The second is “Cross”. Creates a more effective defense. The loop is also put on the power supply unit. The initial two turns go slightly below the fingers. After this, each finger is bandaged, the little finger being the first. Fixation is carried out through the power supply.

Features of care

Special clothing must be kept clean. If it becomes saturated with sweat, the foul odor will begin to leave, creating a favorable environment for the development of microbes. How to care:

Dry gloves thoroughly after each use.
Place accessories separately in the compartment of the sports bag. Away from sweaty shoes and clothes.
Treat the inside of boxing gloves and your hands directly with a pharmaceutical antiseptic gel or antibacterial spray before each workout.
Sprinkle with talcum powder or wipe the top of the products with a damp cloth to reduce the accumulation of dirt and dust.
Use bandages more often. They are easier to wash.
Hang dry boxing gloves in a ventilated area. Do not wrap in a thick plastic bag without access to fresh air.
Treat the accessory with glycerin or colorless cream if it begins to crack.

Washing boxing gloves is difficult. Products made from pure leather may not withstand aggressive methods - in the washing machine. To extend the service life, it is easier to prevent contamination and absorption of sweat odor, taking into account the specific care.

Is water harmful?

In general, it is not recommended to wash gloves. Moreover, many generally consider any wet cleaning of such products unacceptable. But why are people afraid to throw this equipment into the washing machine or soak it in a basin?

First of all, washing can damage the outer material: if it is leatherette, there is a high probability that the surface will crack during drying or be damaged during aggressive washing, but if it is genuine leather, then it will most likely become deformed and lose its “marketable” appearance. Sometimes, after washing, gloves can “shrink,” which can also be a reason to throw them in the trash. As for the filler, whatever it is, washing or soaking can cause the material to pill, and no tennis ball thrown into the washing machine, as is the case with down jackets, will help here

If the filler does not straighten out after drying, the gloves will have to be thrown away, because they will no longer be able to perform the function of softening the impact. Well, the most important thing: they will take a very long time to dry after washing (from 3 to 7 days until completely dry), and if the drying is not done correctly, during this time a new army of bacteria will breed in them. Microorganisms love a dark, moist environment, so try to speed up the drying a little

We'll tell you exactly how this can be done a little later.

Does this mean that boxing gloves cannot be washed? Not really. Many athletes were able to spin them in the washing machine without much damage to the product.

Here are the methods that most people use.

Soaking in a bowl of warm, but not hot water and powder overnight

Be careful: prolonged soaking may cause leatherette to crack! Soak in warm salt water overnight. Let us remind you that leather products do not like moisture and can become deformed after such treatment. Machine washable at 30˚C without spin

You can wash both leatherette and leather in a machine, but washing at this temperature cannot kill bacteria, so it only helps get rid of a slight odor.

True, washing, even using proven methods, remains at your own peril and risk: it is quite possible that your gloves will not like cleaning with water and the product will be damaged.