How To Clean Motorcycle Gloves? A Step By Step Guide

Motorcycle gloves are an important piece of safety gear that offers protection for your hands and ensures you have proper grip and control while riding your motorcycle. While using motorcycle gloves is a necessity, the usage can take a toll on the gloves. The continuous usage results in an exposure to dust, grime, dirt, as well as sweat and body oils. This could increase  the risk of losing control on the bike while riding. Also, sweat and dirt can make your gloves smelly and uncomfortable to wear.  If you don’t clean gloves regularly, the bacteria from sweat can grow and make them smell bad.

Therefore, it’s important to clean your motorcycle gloves at regular intervals to maintain hygiene, to increase their durability, and to ensure safety by maintaining a secure grip on the handlebars, thereby enhancing control during rides. Now if you’re wondering how to clean motorcycle gloves, keep reading the guide below.

A] The Importance of Cleaning Motorcycle Gloves

Motorcycle bike hand gloves are an essential piece of safety gear for any rider. They protect your hands from the elements, road rash, and impact in the event of a crash. However, even the best gloves will eventually start to deteriorate if they are not properly cleaned and maintained.

Here are few other reasons why washing leather motorcycle gloves is important:  

• Safety: When gloves are free of dirt, dust, debris, sweat, and body oil, they provide better grip and control on the handlebar. Clean gloves ensure a secure and firm grip, especially during critical manoeuvres and emergency situations.
• Hygiene: While riding, we come across many pollutants, dirt, debris, and body sweat. If left uncleaned, these can accumulate on the gloves, leading to unpleasant odours and potentially causing skin irritation or infections. Regular cleaning will promote better hand hygiene and overall comfort.
• Durability: The materials used to make gloves are designed to provide proper grip and control on the handlebar. However, over time, due to contact with dirt, stains and body sweat the material deteriorates and loses its effectiveness. Therefore, regular cleaning is essential to improve the longevity and prevent early wear and tear of the gloves.
• Performance: Removing dirt, stains, and regularly cleaning the gloves provides a comfortable and smooth feel. Clean gloves enhance performance by maintaining flexibility and allowing for better control of the grip.
• Appearance: Clean gloves not only improve performance but also enhance the overall appearance of the rider. Additionally, riders often take pride in their gear, and clean gloves help portray a professional and well-maintained image.

B] A Step By Step Guide On How To Clean Motorcycle Gloves

Step 1: Gather the Necessary Supplies

Before you start cleaning, gather all the required supplies such as soap, detergent, lukewarm water, soft-bristled brush and microfiber cloth with you at one place to make the cleaning process easier.

Remember, many motorcycle gloves are made with materials such as leather, synthetic fabrics which require careful handling, so using mild detergents maintains the quality of the glove while effectively removing dirt and grime.

Step 2: Preparing the Gloves

After the ride, take a moment to check your hands for any unpleasant odour. If you notice any foul smell, it’s a sign that your gloves need a wash. But before you start cleaning, gently shake the gloves to remove any loose dirt, dust or debris as this will make the cleaning process more effective ensuring a cleaner and easier experience. By doing this you’ll be able to remove loose dirt and prevent stains from settling and becoming harder to remove.

Also, before you soak the gloves inspect the gloves for any damage such as tears or holes and if you find any consider repairing it before cleaning. To thoroughly clean your gloves, turn them inside out. However, not all gloves can be turned inside out as they have thick armour stitched into it, so be a little cautious and check before you carry on with this step. This will allow you to clean the gloves, which is often where most of the dirt is accumulated.

Step 3: Hand-Washing the Gloves

If you ride regularly, it’s important to clean your gloves thoroughly every two weeks, but if you ride frequently you can clean it once a month. Firstly to wash motorcycle gloves,  start shaking off any dirt or debris from the gloves. Then, soak them in a mixture of lukewarm water and detergent mix for an hour or two before starting the hand-washing process.

Remember to use a good quality detergent/shampoo to maintain the quality of your gloves. Carefully check if there are any specific instructions given about cleaning or material. For example, if your gloves are made of leather or similar substitute use detergent/soap made specifically for leather material and use lukewarm water. You can clean the gloves with bristle brush or your hands, whichever works best for you.

Step 4: Cleaning the Inner Lining

To effectively clean your gloves, remember to soak them inside out in lukewarm water. However, make sure that your gloves are built to be turned inside out. As we have seen before, it’s not possible to do it with all gloves, especially with the ones that have thick armour stitched into it. This is important as it’s where most of the dirt, sweat, and body oil accumulates, putting you at risk of skin infections.

Use a brush or your hands to gently clean the inner lining, paying special attention to the corners where dirt and sweat tend to accumulate and often go unnoticed. Be thorough but gentle to prevent any damage. Repeat the process until the gloves are thoroughly cleaned. Afterward, rinse them with clean water and wipe the inner lining once more to remove any remaining soapy residue.

Step 5: Drying the Gloves

When it comes to drying your motorcycle gloves, it’s crucial to use gentle methods to preserve their quality. Once you rinsed your gloves, gently squeeze out excess water without twisting or wringing them to avoid damaging their shape. The best method is natural air-drying.

Find a well-ventilated room and either hang them on a clothesline or lay them flat on a clean surface. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight or using dryers, as excessive heat can shrink or distort the gloves. If you want to speed up the drying process, use a fan on a low-speed setting. Just make sure the fan isn’t too close to the gloves to prevent direct heat exposure.

Step 6: Maintaining the Gloves

Maintaining gloves for longevity requires continuous care and mindful usage. Before wearing your gloves, clean your hands with sanitizer or wet wipes to ensure they’re free from dirt, germs, and bacteria that could transfer to the gloves. And, when you return from a ride, wipe the gloves with a wet wipe or cloth to remove dust.

These simple steps will help keep your gloves clean and in good condition, ensuring their longevity and preserving their quality. If you are using gloves regularly it’s recommended to wash gloves every two weeks but other than that you can wash gloves once a month or depending on the usage of it.

C] Select High-Quality Gloves for Longevity 

• Material: When buying gloves, choose gloves which are made of high-quality material and durable in nature. You can opt for materials such as leather, textile or synthetic blends. Leather material is the most popular one because of its abrasion-resistant properties and it provides good grip.
• Reinforcements: Consider looking for gloves that have reinforced areas like the palms and knuckles. These areas are often made from materials such as carbon fibre or plastic, which can help to protect your hands in the event of a crash.
• Fit: To reduce the wear and tear of gloves due to friction and movement inside the glove it’s important to wear gloves that fit properly. When choosing gloves, ensure that they are snug but not overly tight.
• Maintenance friendly: When choosing to buy gloves look for gloves with removable liners or materials that can withstand regular washing. This will keep your gloves in good condition and help extend their lifespan.
  
• Brand Reputation: Investing in reliable and long-lasting motorcycle gloves, requires research. Since these brands are known for their commitment to quality control and durable material, the glove will be of high quality and have a longer lifespan. 

Recommended Gloves:

• Rynox Air GT Riding Gloves:  The Rynox Air GT gloves are designed with a strict focus on quality. They are CE certified to meet rigorous standards, ensuring exceptional impact resistance, abrasion resistance, cut resistance, tear strength, and strong seams. These gloves are designed to deliver top-notch performance and durability for the discerning motorcyclist.
• Viaterra Tundra Waterproof Riding Gloves: The Rynox Tundra gloves are designed with a focus on quality and comfort. They feature 3M Thinsulate insulation for warmth and DryTerra Tech membrane for waterproofing, SuperFabric inserts for abrasion resistance. With maximum coverage and a longer gauntlet, these gloves offer excellent protection and versatility for monsoon and winter rides.
• Tarmac Rapid Full Gauntlet Riding Gloves : The TARMAC Rapid full gauntlet gloves are made from premium leather. It has TPU knuckle protection, perforated leather for ventilation, reinforced palm panel, and smart touch material for smartphone use. These gloves are suitable for both touring and racing, providing comfort, flexibility, and excellent adjustability.
• Raida AirWave Motorcycle Riding Gloves : The Raida gloves are made with full-grain leather and reinforced with synthetic suede offering durability. It offers superior impact and abrasion resistance, reducing the risk of hand injuries. Additional features include a neoprene wrist cuff, touch screen compatibility, and a visor wiper on the left index finger.

If you are a novice and have recently started exploring your dreams of riding the free roads, consider reading our Beginner’s Motorcycle Riding Gear Guide To Ride Confidently! While gloves are an important part of motorcycle gear, this guide lists all the important gear that you’ll ever need. 

Conclusion

Taking care of your motorcycle gloves is an important part of keeping them in top shape. Understanding how to clean them properly ensures they stay in top shape for years to come. Think about all the potential sources of dirt and grime your gloves encounter, from holding handles on public transport to using your phone.It’s no wonder regular cleaning is crucial. 

By following the step-by-step guide we’ve provided, you can ensure that your gloves remain in optimal condition for years to come. Clean gloves not only last longer but also smell fresh and feel clean, enhancing your overall riding experience and personal well-being. If you are looking for high-quality gloves at a reasonable price, Bikester Global Shop is your go-to shopping direction.