Can you put leather gloves in the washing machine? That’s the first question we should ask before we decide to clean our new leather gloves for the first time. Everyone around you probably already told you not to do that, ever. The reasons are plenty.
The thing is, you can still do that as long as you know the right way. And we are going to tell you how to wash leather gloves in washing machine. Read on.
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What to Know and Prepare Before Washing Leather Gloves
You should read the glove washing instructions first or consult the manufacturer.
Not all leather gloves can be tossed inside the washing machine. You risk ruining the form and texture of expensive leather-made gloves. Also, for cheaper pairs made of suede leather, the fabric can be weakened due to prolonged soak in water and the strong washing cycle.
So, only do it if you are okay with the glove color and texture afterwards.
Here’s what you need to prepare before cleaning leather gloves:
- Leather-cleaning products – A mild detergent might work if you hand-wash your leather pair. But, as you plan to machine-wash it, make sure to purchase washing and rinsing products specially made for delicate leather.
- Several pieces of clean and absorbent cloth
- Post-washing leather care products (optional), including oil conditioner, touch-up dye, or water repellent, depending on your needs.
- A garment bag
- White vinegar, a soft-bristle brush, a small cup (optional) – These can be used to treat the stains on leather gloves.
- Clippers and metal thread for hanging the gloves (optional)
A Step-by-step Guide to Machine-wash Your Leather Gloves
Step 1: (Optional) Remove hard stains on your gloves if there are any.
When your leather gloves have some stubborn stains, don’t be hasty to put them into the washing machine right away. You need to treat those marks, and using white vinegar is the best way to do that.
Mix water and vinegar in a ratio of 1:1, then use the microfiber cloth to rub this mixture onto the hard stains.
You can leave it to dry a little, allowing the solution to dissolve the dirt. Then, use another piece of damp microfiber cloth to remove the stains.
If the stains are still visible, you can apply some mild soap and use the soft-bristle brush to rub them off.
Step 2: Machine-wash the gloves
In this step, put your glove inside the prepared garment bag, and pour some leather cleaner into the washing machine. You can now select the cycle and let the machine do its job.
Just make sure to always use cold water since hot water might make your gloves shrink. Also, set the machine to the delicate wash cycle to protect the glove texture.
Step 3: Dry your gloves
The first thing to remember is, please do not dry the gloves in the dryer, especially after you just machine-washed the pair. In fact, avoid any kind of external heat altogether.
As you bring your wet yet already clean gloves out of the washing machine, it is time to dry them the right way. You can use a clean and absorbent towel to wrap around the pair, then gently press it down to remove any excess water.
Afterward, turn the gloves inside out, wrap them inside the towel and repeat the process.
At this point, you can either:
- Lay the gloves flat on a clean surface in a well-ventilated area and wait for them to dry.
- Hang your gloves onto a metal thread with some clippers.
- Or, place your gloves onto your DIY glove rack if you have one.
While waiting for the gloves to dry, you can put them on several times and leave them on your hands for 3 minutes. It is a way to preserve the leather glove form.
Step 4: Condition your leather gloves
People often use leather conditioners to treat their gloves after washing. The solution softens the leather and protects its texture for prolonged wear.
In addition, you can use a leather finish or touch-up dye product to add a shiny coat to your leather.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you wash leather in the washing machine?
If you accidentally washed leather gloves and realized it before the washing ended, pause the washing machine and take your pair out.
If the damages are done, meaning you wash your pairs with hot water, a strong cycle, and even bleach, there is not much you can do about it. In some cases, the gloves’ look will degrade slightly, but you can still use them just fine.
What is the best way to clean leather gloves?
Even though we have just told you how to machine-wash your leather gloves, hand-washing them is still the best way. At your own pace, you can be gentle and thorough with your pair while you hand-wash it.
The steps are pretty simple:
- Use a vinegar and water mixture to treat the stubborn stains.
- Put your gloves on, then wash them with saddle or mild soap, inside and out. Make sure to leave no corner of it without gently rubbing.
- Rinse your gloves under cold water to remove all the soap.
- Then, let them dry, using the methods mentioned above.
What should I avoid when washing leather gloves?
- People do not recommend machine-washing leather gloves because we should not soak them in water for a prolonged time. This also applies to when we hand-wash the pair.
- So, when you return home and have dirty leather gloves just taken off, please do not put them into a bucket of water, thinking it will help dissolve the dirt.
- Do not apply direct heat to the leather gloves. If you want to speed up the drying process, you can build a DIY rack with a fan. Or, you can use the blow dryer in a low-heat setting and place it from afar when pointing it towards your leather gloves.
- Do not use bleach or any potent detergents to wash your leather gloves. We want to preserve our leather pair most of the time because they are expensive. If we keep a habit of cleaning or dusting off it right after use, we do not have to face stubborn stains that refuse to be removed with mild soap.
Conclusion
In this guide, we already told you how to wash leather gloves in washing machine, which is advisable when you are a bit busy (and feeling a tad lazy). Just make sure to follow several requirements, including using cold water, a gentle washing cycle, and using leather cleaning products for your pairs.
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This is Edward Manning, the editor in chief of Construction Informer. Quite a bit of my time is spent researching the market and interviewing experts in the field so that I can give you reliable information.