How to Clean Golf Gloves

A crusty, stiff golf glove does more than just feel bad, it robs you of precious feel and grip, potentially costing you shots. Treating your glove like a disposable necessity is a mistake many golfers make. This guide will walk you through the simple, effective steps to clean your golf gloves, restoring their softness and tackiness while saving you money in the long run.

Why Bother Cleaning Your Golf Gloves?

You might wonder if it’s even worth the effort. Let's be clear: a well-maintained glove offers more than just a clean appearance. Dirt, sweat, and oils from your hands build up in the leather or synthetic material, causing it to become slick, stiff, and brittle. This build-up significantly reduces the glove's ability to grip the club, which can lead to you unconsciously squeezing the grip tighter. That extra tension is a swing killer, restricting your movement and wrecking your rhythm.

Regular cleaning provides three major benefits:

• Restored Grip: The most important factor. Cleaning removes the slick layer of grime, bringing back the natural tackiness of the material. A better grip allows for a lighter, more relaxed hold on the club, promoting a fluid and powerful swing.
• Extended Lifespan: Sweat and dirt break down the delicate fibers of the glove, especially premium Cabretta leather. By washing them away, you prevent the material from deteriorating prematurely, meaning you won’t have to buy new gloves nearly as often.
• Improved Feel and Comfort: A clean glove feels supple and soft against your skin, molding to your hand as it should. A stiff, crusty glove is a distraction and can even cause blisters. Playing with comfortable gear helps you focus on your game.

Gathering Your Cleaning Supplies

You don't need a professional cleaning kit. The necessary items are likely already in your home. It’s a simple setup for a surprisingly effective process.

• A Sink or Basin: Any clean sink or a small tub will do the job.
• Cool Water: Never use hot water! It’s the fastest way to ruin leather, causing it to shrink and become hopelessly brittle. Lukewarm is acceptable, but cool is always the safest bet.
• Mild Soap: Stick to gentle dish soap (like original Blue Dawn) or a simple hand soap. Avoid any detergents with bleach, heavy degreasers, or strong chemicals.
• Soft Towels: You'll need two clean, dry towels for patting down the glove and removing excess moisture.

Prep Work: Understand Your Glove's Material

Not all golf gloves are created equal, and knowing what you're working with will guide your cleaning approach. Check the packaging or a tag on the glove if you’re unsure.

Cabretta Leather Gloves

This is the premium standard. Made from the hide of hair sheep, Cabretta leather is incredibly soft, thin, and provides an unmatched feel. It’s the material used by most tour professionals. However, this high performance comes at the cost of durability and makes it more delicate. When cleaning a Cabretta leather glove, gentleness is everything. An aggressive wash will strip its natural oils and ruin the texture.

Synthetic and Hybrid Gloves

Many all-weather or more budget-friendly gloves are made from synthetic materials or a hybrid of synthetic material and leather patches. These gloves are built for durability and are far more resilient than full-leather options. They can handle a slightly less delicate washing process and tend to dry a bit quicker without becoming as stiff. If you’re at all nervous about washing a glove for the first time, starting with a synthetic one is a good way to build confidence.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Hand-Washing Your Glove

This is where the magic happens. This process might seem a little unusual, but following these steps precisely will protect your glove’s shape and feel.

Step 1: Put the Glove On

This is the most important tip. Don't just throw the glove in the water. Wear it during the washing and rinsing process. By keeping it on your hand, you ensure the glove maintains its natural shape and doesn't get stretched or misshapen during the wash. It’s like washing a second skin.

Step 2: Start the Wash

With the glove on your hand, run it under cool water. Get it completely saturated. Once it's soaked, turn off the tap and apply a very small drop of mild soap (about the size of a dime) to the palm. Now, simply wash your gloved hand as if you were washing your bare hands. Gently rub your hands together, lathering the soap and paying special attention to the palm and fingers where dirt and grip residue accumulate. Resist the temptation to scrub hard with a brush or abrasive cloth. Your other hand is the only tool you need.

The goal is to lift the surface dirt, not to deep-scrub the leather. You'll see the water turning a dingy gray or brown - that's a good sign!

Step 3: Rinse Thoroughly and Gently Squeeze

Still wearing the glove, turn the cool tap back on and rinse away all traces of soap. This is important, any leftover soap residue will contribute to stiffness when it dries. Continue rinsing until the water running off the glove is completely clear.

Once rinsed, do not wring or twist the glove. This will stretch and damage the seams. Instead, keep the glove on and gently squeeze your hand into a fist several times. Then, starting from the base of the fingers, use your other hand to gently push the water down toward the cuff of the glove.

Step 4: The Art of Drying

This is the most time-consuming part, but also the most vital for a good result. Improper drying will undo all your good work.

1. Towel Pat: Carefully take off the wet glove. Lay it flat on a clean, dry towel. Place another dry towel over it and gently pat it down to absorb the excess water. Do this for about a minute. The glove will still be very damp.
2. Reshape: Gently straighten out the fingers and flatten the glove back into its original shape. It may look a bit smaller than you remember - don’t worry, that’s normal at this stage.
3. Air Dry, No Exceptions: This is a hard-and-fast rule. Hang the glove or lay it flat to dry at room temperature. Never use a machine dryer, a hairdryer, or place it in direct sunlight or near a radiator. The direct, high heat will cook the leather, making it shrink permanently and become as hard as a rock. Be patient. It can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours for the glove to air dry completely.

Post-Wash Care: Bringing it Back to Life

Once dried, the glove will likely feel a little tight and rigid. This is expected. The final step is to restore its suppleness.

Put the glove back on your hand. It will feel snug. Make a fist, then open and close your hand repeatedly. Flex your fingers and wrist. This simple action will work the fibers of the glove, break up the final bit of stiffness, and help it mold back perfectly to the contours of your hand. After a few minutes of this, the soft, tacky feel will return.

Key Mistakes to Avoid

• Over-washing: Don't wash your glove after every single round. Wait until it’s visibly soiled or starts to feel slick. Once a month for a regular player is often a good rhythm.
• Using Harsh Chemicals: Bleach, ammonia, and strong detergents will destroy the glove. Stick with gentle, simple soap.
• Machine Washing/Drying: This is a guaranteed way to ruin a glove, especially a leather one. The throwing, tumbling, and high heat are simply too much for the delicate materials.
• Wringing or Twisting: This action breaks down the stitching and over-stretches the material, creating a poor fit. Gentle squeezing and patting is the correct method.

Final Thoughts

Properly cleaning a golf glove isn't a complex chore, but a simple maintenance routine that directly translates to better performance and longevity for your equipment. Taking a few minutes to care for your gear demonstrates a commitment to the details that help you play better golf.

Just as taking care of your gear gives you confidence in your hands, having a smarter plan on the course gives you confidence in your head. We created Caddie AI to provide that confidence, giving you instant, expert advice for tricky lies or challenging holes. When you eliminate the guesswork on course management and strategy, you’re free to trust your swing and focus completely on the shot in front of you.