Protecting your hands is vital for any job. Whether you’re doing construction, welding, painting, mechanical work or you are a sports man like biker, boxer, soccer player, cricketer, or any other sports player you must need to wear gloves to protect your hands. For example a biker should must be aware of the importance of driving gloves . However, to keep your work gloves in good condition so they continue providing protection, some basic cleaning and care is required.
Here we’ll provide tips on how to clean the two most common types of safety work gloves – cotton knitted and leather – so you can extend their life and performance. We’ll also cover Glove Age & Condition, Glove Fabric, Buildup Amount, and other features of gloves that should be considered before washing the gloves. With just a little regular maintenance, your gloves can serve you safely for years.
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Types of Work Gloves to Consider
While you may already have a preferred brand or style of glove, it’s helpful to understand the different materials available when choosing a pair to best match the hand protection needed for your work. The most common options are:
Cotton Knitted Gloves
Cotton gloves provide ultimate breathability and flexibility. The knitted style offers good dexterity for jobs requiring intricate motions. Cotton stands up well to abrasions but is less resistant to snags and tears compared to leather or synthetic blends. These gloves work well for gardening, cleaning, painting, and light construction jobs.
Leather Work Gloves
Leather work gloves are valued for their durability and longevity. Typically made from cow or deer hide, leather offers stronger puncture resistance and heat protection capabilities compared to fabric gloves. Leather work gloves are ideal for welding, construction, mechanical repair, and other manual jobs requiring sturdy protection against abrasions.
When selecting leather gloves, pay attention to the thickness of the material. Thicker leather around the palm and finger areas provide better grip and abrasion resistance. High quality leather work gloves may also have knuckle protection pads and wrist support straps for added safety.
Coated and Speciality Fabric Gloves
For specific jobs, coated gloves or those blended with synthetic materials can provide increased waterproofing, chemical resistance, extreme temperature protection and other speciality performance capabilities. These include latex gloves for food handling, Nitrile gloves for oily jobs, and insulated gloves for extreme cold conditions.
Key Factors Before Washing Work Gloves
Before cleaning, inspect your gloves closely and consider these factors:
Glove Age & Condition – Gloves with excessive wear, holes or cracked leather should be replaced rather than washed. Cleaning overly damaged gloves will not restore safety.
Glove Fabric – Leather vs fabric gloves have different care requirements. Match cleaning method to material.
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Buildup Amount – Light soil can be spot cleaned. Heavily soiled gloves may need deeper cleaning.
Glove Features – Consider glove lining material and any speciality coatings that may have specific washing limitations.
Wash Frequency – Set an appropriate schedule. Heavy use gloves may need to be cleaned weekly. Occasional use only requires monthly or less frequent cleaning.
Rest Duration – Allow gloves to fully air dry before reuse to prevent moisture damage and maintain glove shape.
Once you’ve assessed condition and fabric, follow these proper hand wash techniques by material:
Cotton Knitted Glove Washing Tips
Can You Wash Cotton Work Gloves?
Yes, cotton knitted gloves can and should be washed regularly! For cotton gloves, follow this safe hand wash method:
Supplies Needed: Mild detergent, wash basin, drying rack.
Instructions:
Fill the basin with warm water and a small amount of mild detergent.
- Fully submerge gloves. Gently massage and knead to loosen dirt.
- Drain basin and refill with clean warm water. Rinse until water runs clear.
- Gently roll gloves in a towel to soak up excess moisture.
- Shape and lay gloves flat to air dry thoroughly before reusing.
Cautions:
- Avoid hot water or harsh scrubbing that can damage fabric.
- Replace gloves with holes, tears, thinning fabric or poor insulation.
Routine washing maintains the longevity, comfort and safety performance of cotton knitted gloves.
Leather Glove Cleaning Tips
Can You Wash Leather Work Gloves?
You should NOT fully soak leather gloves in water. This can degrade material and distort shape. Instead, follow this method to safely clean leather gloves:
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Supplies Needed: Saddle soap, cleaning toothbrush, microfiber cloth, leather conditioner
Instructions:
- Apply a small amount of saddle soap onto damp cloth.
- Gently scrub entire outer & inner glove surfaces with cloth. Use a toothbrush to spot clean heavy dirt areas.
- Rinse soap residue using a clean damp cloth.
- Allow gloves to fully air dry.
- Once dry, apply leather conditioner.
Cautions:
- Avoid over-wetting leather which can shrink gloves.
- Check for cracks or holes and replace compromised gloves.
With routine cleaning and conditioning, quality leather gloves provide the ultimate durable and protective hand-wear.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you clean work gloves?
Clean cotton knit gloves at least weekly with greater frequency for heavy use. For leather, deep clean every 2-3 months with regular light spot cleaning sessions in between based on dirt buildup.
What is the best way to dry wet work gloves?
Always air dry gloves fully flat or shaped back into finger and palm form before reusing. Do not machine dry gloves or use direct high heat which can shrink and distort shape leading to poor fit.
When should you replace old work gloves?
Retire and replace gloves with holes, embedded dirt and stains that cannot be removed, cracked leather, thinning palms or any compromise reducing protective abilities.
Conclusion
Just like your hands, your safety gloves are exposed to dirt, sweat and abuse each shift. Properly cleaning and storing work gloves preserves the integrity of materials and ensures gloves remain protective each time you rely on them.
Matching cleaning methods to fabric, avoiding over-wetting leather, fully drying, and timely replacement also helps gloves deliver reliable durability and security for your non-stop working hands.
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