Golf gloves… one accessory we all need but hate spending money on. You need to learn how leather gloves can be cleaned so you can save money on your golf balls. Because let’s face it, no one wants to spend $15-$20 (or more) on a golf glove only to last a few rounds.
There are some ways to clean your golf gloves, and some best practices. You could endanger your glove and make it difficult to grip the club.
We have the details you need to know about synthetic golf gloves or Cabretta leather golf glove. Today we’ll give you the step-by-step guide to clean your gloves with ease.
How to Clean a Golf Glove
Golf gloves make this difficult sport a lot easier. Most golfers wear gloves for full shots, but they can be removed for shots around the green or putting. This allows you to grip the club better and maintain consistent grip pressure. Plus, gloves help avoid blisters in golf which can wreak havoc on your game.
Here are some key points to remember when washing your golf gloves
- Most leather gloves cant be washed.
- Buy gloves in bulk to save money and have several pairs available for use during a round.
- Do not dry your gloves in the dryer or hairdryer, as they could shrink.
- It’s best to rotate your gloves throughout the round so they don’t get wet and affect your golf grip or swing.
Keep reading to find out how to clean your golf gloves so that you can save money.
Wash by Hand
After each round, is the best time to wash your golf gloves. Before the surface dirt settles into the material. You can simply pour cold water on the glove, with the glove in your hand, and then grab a new, clean golf towel. To remove any sweat or other debris, rub the towel.
Once you’ve cleaned it, allow it to air dry. It’s important to not throw it in the dryer with golf towels or clothes as it might shrink and no longer fit. You should also avoid using a hair dryer.
You can wash synthetic golf glove but I recommend against leather gloves.
Use soap for a deep clean
If the previous method doesn’t work or your gloves are very dirty, it’s best to wash them at home. Use cool water, not warm water, to wash your gloves. Add a few drops soap.
Let your glove(s), for approximately 20 minutes, soak in the soapy solution and then drain it. You can gently rub any dirt or debris off a synthetic or leather glove with a clean towel. It’s recommended to not use a standard golf club cleaner brush (even a soft brush) as it might damage the material.
Machine Wash
If you’re like a lot of golfers, I’m sure you’ve wondered if you can simply add to your next load of laundry instead of handwashing? It’s a good question because let’s get real, who really wants to hand scrub dirty golf gloves?
Unfortunately, this isn’t usually a good idea even if you wash them with cold water. If you have a higher end, leather golf gloves we definitely don’t recommend it.
While synthetic gloves can be machine washed, we recommend turning them inside-out for maximum protection. This will ensure that the Velcro stays strong and you can still use your golf gloves.
If they are still fine after washing, be sure to Not throw them in the dryer. This will almost always shrink your gloves and make them too small for your hands.
Avoid the Dishwasher
While the washing machine might work (depending on the type of glove) avoid the dishwasher entirely. This might work for cleaning your golf hats, it’s a terrible idea for your golf gloves. Not to mention your significant other probably won’t be thrilled with a dirty glove next to your plates and cups.
How to Make Your Golf Gloves Last Longer
While the cleaning tips from above will help your gloves last longer, don’t forget these other best practices too.
Don’t Wipe Sweat With Your Gloves
First, make sure you don’t ever wipe sweat off your hands or forehead with your gloves. Wiping perspiration off will immediately affect your ability to grip the club and can interfere with your grip pressure.
Instead, always use a towel to keep your gloves lasting longer. Click here to check out the best golf towels now.
Don’t Clean Your Clubs With Your Glove Hand
Anytime you take a divot and have some extra dirt on your grooves it’s natural to want to wipe away. But it’s best to use a towel or non-glove hand instead as it can get your glove wet to avoid excess moisture or dirt.
Rotate Gloves During the Round
Another way to make your gloves last longer is to rotate them during the round. Instead of using one the entire 18 holes, try to use 2-3 instead. Rotate every six holes or so to keep the fresh and not affect your grip or swing.
Air Out Your Gloves
When you rotate your gloves, make sure to put them somewhere to air dry instead of crumpled up in a ball in your bag. You can attach them to the outside of your bag, around the steering wheel of your cart, or on your push cart if you’re walking.
Store Your Gloves Correctly
One of the worst things you can do with your gloves is stuff them in your apparel pockets after the round. They will usually scrunch up and get almost crusty if they’re wet after a full round of golf. Always let them dry before putting them back in your bag.
It’s not a bad idea to invest in a golf glove holder either. These attach to your golf bag and help your gloves dry faster.
Check out the EGG Pro Golf Glove Holder now.
Replace Regularly (new glove time?)
If you’re like a lot of golfers I’m sure you’ve asked, “How often should I replace my golf gloves?” It’s a good question because if you play them too long, it can hinder your golf game.
If you have any holes in your glove, especially on the palm, it’s time to part ways. Or, if you feel like it’s hard to grip the club consistently or your hands can barely stay on the grip, it’s time to replace them.
But there are no best practices as it depends on your grips, how often you play/practice, type of glove, and typical weather conditions.
Buy Gloves in Bulk
Another expert hack with your gloves is to buy them in bulk if possible. If you have a Costco card, we suggest buying the 4-pack of gloves as it’s one of the best deals in golf.
You can get four gloves at a very reasonable price. Plus, they come in a variety of sizes but unfortunately don’t have cadet sizes at the moment.
If you don’t have a Costco membership you can buy them online too (but they are more expensive).
Click here to find the right size and buy one.
FAQs About Cleaning Golf Gear
Do you have more questions about cleaning golf equipment? If so, keep reading to learn the most frequently asked questions and answers below.
How do you clean sweaty golf gloves?
You can clean gloves by adding water and scrubbing with a clean towel. Or, you can do a deep clean by soaking them in a bucket of cold water too. Avoid using harsh bristle brushes as they may damage the material.
Can you throw golf gloves in the washing machine?
Depending on the material (non-leather) you might be able to use them in the washing machine. Before adding all of them into the washing machine, we suggest testing out with one first. Throw them in with your golf towels and not your golf clothes or normal laundry.
Run the washing machine with cold water and turn the glove inside out to protect the Velcro. After they’re done washing, let them air dry and do notPut them in the dryer. You can also use a golf glove dryer to help them maintain their shape as well.
How do you clean FootJoy gloves? How do you wash Footjoy gloves?
FootJoy offers the best and most durable gloves for golf. They also have gloves that can be used in cold weather and rain.
These are the best ways to clean them.
How do you clean your golf grips?
Your golf grips are another good item to clean because they aren’t cheap! A grip can cost anywhere from $5 to $10 and if you’re replacing your entire set, it can add up quickly.
The good news is that you can clean them so you don’t need to replace them as often. Plus, it’s a good idea to do as a lot of dirt, sweat, and other debris can make it harder to grip the club consistently. A clean grip will make your gloves last longer.
Your grips should be cleaned at least once per month. To keep your grips lasting longer, you can use hand wash/dry or wipe them with a cloth.
Click here to see our complete guide on how to clean your golf grips.
How do you clean the golf clubs?
While clean grips and gloves are super helpful when it comes to gripping the club, don’t forget about the face either. A dirty golf club is one that has the grooves clogged with mud, grass and other debris. It is not only ugly, but it can also negatively impact your ability to hit the golf balls consistently.
Since golf is already hard enough, don’t make it more complicated by swinging with dirty clubs. Dirty grooves can cause poor distance, accuracy, and inconsistent spin rates. To clean your grooves after each shot, we recommend using the golf club brush.
You can also add a bi-weekly, or monthly, deep cleaning depending on how often you practice and play golf. Club wipes, soap/water, and other cleaning methods are all great options.
How do you clean your golf hats?
Your golf hats should be cleaned regularly. Like grips, these aren’t cheap (usually $30 or more) and I hate to wear a hat a few rounds in the summer only to see sweat stains. There are some easy ways to keep your hats looking good, especially the white ones.
First, invest in if you enjoy playing in warm weather. “No Sweat” hat liners. These are placed inside your hat to trap sweat and prevent stains or odors. They reduce sweat stains and keep sweat out of your eyes which is crucial when you’re putting or hitting full shots.
The second thing to do is as soon as you’re home, wash your hat with cold water only. Do not use soap or other cleaning products. The cold water will remove most of the sweat naturally and make your hat look nice.
We recommend drying it on a rack to keep it from drying out. By the time you wake up it’ll be as good as new. A dishwasher hat rack cleaner is also available for deep stains.
These tips should help you keep your lids fresh all year!
Final Thoughts on Cleaning Your Golf Gloves Properly
Cleaning your golf gloves is a good way to save money and it doesn’t take much time either. Since golf gloves aren’t cheap, it’s a good idea to keep them clean and dry.
Take care of these:
- Wash with cold water
- During the round, turn your gloves.
- Buy a bag or a container for your golf gloves.
- When cleaning, never use a soft bristle brush.
- For older gloves, use a damp cloth and mild detergent.
- Don’t scrunch them up and throw them in your bag after the round.
- Let them air dry. Never use heat like a hair dryer or dryer, as they will shrink.
While cleaning your gloves is a good idea, don’t forget to regularly clean your grips too. Grips that are cleaner will make your gloves last longer. For better ball striking on the green, use a brush to clean your grooves.
Don’t forget to check out the best golf gloves here.