How to Keep Boxing Gloves Clean and Tidy

Without a doubt, one of the concerns of all martial arts and contact sports practitioners in the care of equipment such as gloves and gauntlets (in boxing, taekwondo, karate, etc.)

Gloves, due to their composition, cause excess sweat on the hands. Remember that, depending on the ounces, they will have a greater or lesser amount of foam and the glove’s construction material must also be taken into account (natural leather, artificial leather, etc.).

This excess moisture in the gloves is not good because if we do not eliminate it or at least minimize it, it will end up spoiling them as well as generating a bad smell, etc.

How to prevent glove odor and excess moisture

Remember to always use bandages. Using bandages is vital to prevent injuries to hands and wrists, but they also have the secondary function of absorbing a large amount of sweat that, without the use of bandages, would remain on the glove. 

Bandages must be kept clean at all times. The ideal is to have at least two pairs to let dry or wash some and have others always ready.

Wash your hands before using boxing gloves.  It is common sense. The cleaner you have your hands, the less odors you will transmit to the boxing glove, MMA glove, etc.

Use absorbent paper inside the gloves such as newspaper or kitchen paper (it is not advisable to use toilet paper or clinex because being too thin would leave traces inside the boxing glove. After training, introduce Sheets of newspaper into the gloves or kitchen paper balls and these will absorb a lot of moisture into the glove.

One of the best tricks is to put a handful of uncooked rice in each glove. Rice is one of the main sources of moisture, and it is easy to obtain and very cheap. Try and you will be surprised.

What not to do with your boxing gloves

Do not expose them to a direct heat source such as radiators or heaters or run a hair dryer on them as the layers of foam from which the gloves are made will be damaged and lose their properties (shock absorption, resilience, etc.)

You should not leave them stored after training (and less next to dirty clothes). At the very least, you should let them air out. Open them as wide as possible so that air can get in.

Nor should you put them in direct sun.

Don’t ever put them in the washing machine. You will load the inner foam of your boxing gloves.

General care for boxing gloves

The outer part of the glove will wear out more or less depending on how much you use them, the force with which you hit (in bag training), the material of the gloves (natural leather requires more care but is more “grateful” to the same as artificial skin, etc.)

From time to time, wipe them with a damp cloth on the outside and also on the inside.

Once clean, apply a little talcum powder to the inside of the glove. They will make the glove soft, smell good and dry too.

Currently there are anti-humidity and anti-bacterial products for protection, helmets and gloves.

In the case of natural leather gloves, it is advisable to hydrate them with a skin cream, although if you don’t have any specific one, you can apply Nivea for life or petroleum jelly (don’t overdo it either.