Whether you are a boxing aficionado who trains multiple times a week, or if you are a newbie to the combat sport, you are sure going to need a freshly-cleaned pair of gloves for the next time you hit the gym. Let’s face it, nobody wants a foul odour to hit them every time they get ready for some gentle sparring or high-intensity training. It’s no surprise, therefore, that “how to clean boxing gloves” is commonly searched by many people. We will cover, in-depth, the many different ways you can achieve your hygiene goals for your own boxing gloves.

Most boxing gloves contain different types of materials, such as leather, mesh, laces, velcro and padding, so each component of the glove could be prone to housing different types of bacteria, mould and fungus if the gloves aren’t cleaned properly. Bacteria love a dark, moist and humid environment, that is where they thrive- and what could be more appealing than the inside of a sweaty boxing glove?

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Nobody wants to spend hundreds of pounds replacing their gloves every few weeks just because they smell horrible. So, aftercare is hugely important in ensuring that your gloves are cleaned properly and maintained carefully.

Not only will unclean boxing gloves be unpleasant for your sense of smell, but they could also affect your performance. Having clean gloves can also reduce the risk of developing skin irritations and infections and thus overall improves the experience of boxing. After all, the boxing glove adds a layer of protection to the hand, so you can throw punches with more force. So, why wouldn’t you want to know how to clean boxing gloves so that it is free from bad smells, sweat, oils and dirt?

Before getting into how to clean boxing gloves, let’s first cover how to maintain the cleanliness of your boxing gloves. Here’s a step-by-step of how to keep your boxing gloves clean. You will need disinfectant wipes and a deodoriser.

1. First, wipe down your boxing gloves with a disinfectant cloth after every training session, as this will help remove the moisture from the perspiration that will inevitably collect inside your gloves following each workout. Wipe the gloves in circular motions, without applying too much pressure.
2. Then, grab your deodorising spray and give a quick spritz of it onto your gloves. (You can also buy deodorisers in pouch form if you prefer.) Deodorisers act by breaking down the bacteria which builds up from the sweat. Quite often, deodorisers are multi-functional, so they can be used for sports shoes and sports bags, too.
3. Finally, let your gloves dry by airing them in a cool, dry place. You can try hanging them or placing them in front of a fan; which will help them dry faster.

You want to give your gloves a deep clean at least weekly, if not more – if you train multiple times a week.

Dos and Don’ts of How to Clean Boxing Gloves

• After you have finished your boxing session, don’t stuff the gloves back into your gym bag or gym locker, as this will trap moisture and worsen any foul smells. Instead, place the gloves into a plastic carrier bag for your journey back home. Once you’re back home, take the gloves out and wipe them down and let them dry.
• Don’t forget to open the glove straps to help air out the whole glove.
• Never put on your boxing gloves when you have wet hands. The last thing you need is to put more moisture into the gloves and encourage bacteria to grow and fester there, which will leave a lingering odorous smell. Always make sure your hands are dry before putting on your gloves.

• Don’t spray scented products directly onto your boxing gloves. It might be tempting to spray air fresheners like Febreeze or even your favourite aftershave or perfume into your gloves to create a pleasant aroma. However, the chemicals in fragranced products could be harmful to the leather from which your gloves are made of.
• Don’t stick your gloves inside the washing machine or tumble dryer for a spin or two – this could potentially result in great damage to the gloves altogether.
• You can also buy boxing glove dogs, which are cotton bags filled with cedar chips. These attach to your gloves and absorb sweat and oil, while also leaving a pleasant scent. Not only do glove dogs leave your gloves smelling fresh, but they also have the bonus of helping your gloves retain their natural shape.
• Don’t leave your boxing gloves in the sun all day. Prolonged exposure to UV rays could damage the gloves.
• By the same token, never leave your gloves in a hot car. The heat will only exacerbate the smell by adding to the moisture that has already collated inside the gloves.

• Never soak your gloves in water for long periods. Exposing the gloves to copious amounts of water could cause the leather to become stiff and lose its natural oils, which will ruin the gloves.
• Don’t wipe down your gloves with a dry or wet paper towel, as the fibres from the paper can get caught inside your gloves. It may be difficult to remove tiny pieces of paper towels from your gloves, which will be messy and annoying.
• Never let your gloves dry on top of a radiator or heater, as the heat emitted could cause the gloves to crack. This would destroy the gloves.
• Never use harsh chemicals on your gloves, such as bleach and lemon juice. Any highly acidic products could break down the materials in your gloves.
• Never mix a bunch of different cleaning materials to clean your gloves, as this could create a messy, sticky residue which will be very difficult to get rid of.

How to Clean Boxing Gloves With Household Products?

• Try stuffing a paper towel inside your boxing gloves, which will absorb sweat and moisture. Don’t forget to take the towel out after a few hours.
• Apple cider vinegar is a popular ingredient for your household cleaning needs. Made from fermented apple juice, the vinegar contains properties which can kill bacteria. Try pouring a tablespoon of diluted apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the liquid onto your gloves, then take a cloth and wipe down your gloves.

• Pour a tiny amount of baby powder, less than a teaspoon’s worth, into your boxing gloves. This will also absorb excess moisture. However, do not pour an excessive amount of baby powder into your gloves, as it will accumulate inside the gloves and ruin the interiors.
• For decades, boxers have been using baking soda to keep their gloves clean, so this is a more old-school method. All you have to do is pour some baking soda into a pair of old socks and tie them with a secure knot, so that the baking soda doesn’t fall out, and place the socks inside your gloves overnight. Baking soda can neutralise bad odours as it fights harmful bacteria.
• If you don’t have any baking soda lying around in the house, you can also try pouring some uncooked rice into a pair of old socks. Tie the socks up with a secure knot, making sure any rice doesn’t fall out, and place the socks inside your gloves. This neat trick will also help reduce any bad smells.
• Alternatively, if you don’t fancy pouring powders or spraying apple cider vinegar inside your gloves, you can put a tumble dryer sheet inside your gloves for 24 hours. Dryer sheets are placed inside the tumble dryer and they work by softening clothes and removing the creases, which make them easier to iron. Tossing a dryer sheet inside your boxing gloves will help them smell nice, and you don’t run the risk of spilling household ingredients inside your gloves. You can buy tumble dryer sheets at supermarkets.
• Similarly, try crumpling up a sheet of newspaper and sticking it inside your boxing gloves for a couple of hours. This will help absorb moisture. But be careful and don’t leave the newspaper inside the gloves for hours on end, as you don’t want the ink from the newspaper to run and trickle into your gloves, as this will create a mess and stain the gloves.

Before Wearing Boxing Gloves

• Always wash and dry your hands before putting on your boxing gloves. You don’t want to contribute to a breeding ground for bacteria by putting wet or unclean hands inside your gloves.
• Keep a bottle of hand sanitiser with you before you start training, so you can quickly reduce the number of germs on your hands.
• You could also wrap your hands before putting on your gloves, which creates a barrier. This will help prevent sweat from building up inside the gloves’ interiors.

And there you have it, a complete guide to cleaning and drying your boxing gloves. A fresh and well-kept pair of gloves will have you mentally refreshed and fully prepared for your next bout in the gym or ring. Following these tips will give your gloves a longer lifespan and help keep you in the best form. We hope to have covered many aspects of how to clean boxing gloves. If you need further guidance, speak to your trainer or gym instructor to get their recommendations.

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