How To Clean Work Gloves

Regardless of the work industry and environment you are in, if you need to wear work gloves then you also need to learn a thing or two about washing and cleaning it. Note that your work gloves will still accumulate dirt whether you work in the construction and welding industry or use it for recreation purposes.

How to Wash Work Gloves

Because of that, it is necessary to learn some easy yet effective ways on how to wash work gloves. By being aware of these things, increasing the lifespan of the work gloves will be easy. The problem is that it would be unwise to just throw the gloves in your washing machine and let the machine do its job.

You need to do the washing and cleaning carefully to prevent the gloves from getting damaged. Properly washing and cleaning your work gloves requires you to consider important factors, like the materials used in creating it and the specific type.

Table of Contents

How to Wash Work Gloves
- 1. Suede Work Gloves
- 2. Cotton Work Gloves
- 3. Nylon and Wool Gloves
- 4. Leather Work Gloves
Conclusion

How to Wash Work Gloves

1. Suede Work Gloves

You might need to clean or wash your suede work gloves every day or once every 2 to 3 months based on the kind of dirt you are planning to remove. Also, take note that you should avoid dirt from building up in suede gloves for a long period of time. It is because it might cause the material to become stiff and uncomfortable.

To clean this type, start by brushing off dirt from the gloves. Focus more on the fingertips as these frequently accumulate a lot of grime. If possible, seek the aid of a suede brush when doing this step. Alternatively, you can make use of a bristle brush.

washing-a-pair-of-work-gloves

Get a bucket and fill it with cold water. Add some mild soap and salt. You should then use this water in washing your work gloves gradually. Use your fingers to rub away the dirt. Rinse the washed gloves in another bucket containing water. The next step is to squeeze the suede work gloves gently in downward movements to remove water.

Make sure that the fingers of the gloves do not lose their shape. In this case, you can put an old-fashioned clothespin in all the fingers of the gloves. Use the clothespins to hang your work gloves in an area, which is open, letting it air dry. The next step is removing the clothespins once the work gloves become partially dry.

You should then knead or massage the work gloves. You need to do this as this helps in softening the suede material and ensure that it does not get too stiff. Do the kneading and massaging every two hours or so until the gloves become fully dry.

2. Cotton Work Gloves

One great advantage of having work gloves made of cotton is that they are easier to clean than the others. It is because you can just toss them into your washer and dryer and the machine will do the job for you. In case of stains, you can treat them using the techniques that work for clothes, too.

cleaning-and-hanging-work-gloves

If you have a washing machine then you can just wash your cotton gloves there using cold water and mild laundry detergent. In case you do not have a washing machine, rest assured that you can still easily wash your cotton work gloves in your sink. You just need to use a mild dishwashing soap or laundry detergent.

Avoid using solvents or bleach as much as possible as these are oxidizing agents that might lead to discoloration. Once done with washing, allow the cotton gloves to air-dry. Avoid using heat by machine drying the gloves or exposing them to another source of heat aside from sunlight.

3. Nylon and Wool Gloves

If you own nylon work gloves then be aware that you can use your washing machine for it. Just set it at the warm water setting, usually at the temperature of around 40 degrees Celsius. You also need to use a mild detergent when washing and use the delicate or gentle setting. Dry the nylon gloves without heat or at a low setting in your dryer.

washing-leather-work-gloves

If you are using work gloves made of wool then use cold water in washing them to preserve the material's integrity. The water that you should use should only be less than 20 degrees Celsius.

Wash it gently using a mild detergent. When it comes to drying, use the no heat or the low heat setting. These tips and guidelines are helpful in preserving the fit and quality of wool gloves.

4. Leather Work Gloves

Work gloves made of leather are probably among the most difficult to clean out of the many materials used for this personal protective equipment. To clean leather work gloves, prepare a toothbrush first then use it in brushing off dirt and grime.

In most cases, you can easily remove the buildup of dirt in your work gloves by brushing them with the aid of a detergent. Alternatively, you can wipe the filth and dirt with the help of an old toothpaste. Cover the corners of work gloves, particularly the fingertips since this is where the majority of dirt builds up.

Put detergent in a bucket containing water. Add the leather work gloves into the soapy solution. You should then use your hands in rubbing off dirt and grime. Leave the gloves there for around ten to fifteen minutes then rub them. Get another water then pour it without enough cold water to fill it up.

Put the work gloves inside to rinse it. The next step involves squeezing and getting rid of the soapy solution from the work gloves. To completely remove the water and soapy solution, squeeze the wash work gloves gradually in a downward movement. Put a clothespin in the inner part of the whole fingertips of the gloves.

This is a vital step in ensuring that their original and natural shape will be preserved. You should then let the gloves dry completely by hanging them outdoors. Just remove the clothespin once dry. You should be able to use the gloves by then.

When it comes to washing leather gloves, avoid using harsh soaps as much as possible. It is because this contains ingredients that get rid of the natural oils present in leather. The problem with the absence of these natural oils is that this can cause the gloves to get brittle and stiffen.

Eventually, you will notice that it leads to the shortening of its lifespan and use. It might also diminish the comfort often delivered by high-quality boots.

Conclusion

Different how to wash work gloves solutions can now be used for your own pair of work gloves. Just make sure that you examine the overall structure of your gloves, especially the specific material used in manufacturing it. That way, you will have a much better chance of washing it the right way, preventing its damage along the process.