How to wash your ski gloves and mittens

After a long and fun ski holiday or at the end of the winter season, you might get the feeling that your ski gloves could use some freshening up. But please keep in mind the number one rule when it comes to cleaning your gloves: Less is more! 

There are a lot of advanced technologies and materials that go into the manufacturing of high-quality gloves. This gives them the sought-after characteristics that everyone appreciates: durability, waterproofness, breathability, warmth, …  

The use of these technologies and materials also means that regular washing isn’t necessary nor recommended. So be sure to only wash them as a last resort – that is: if spot-cleaning or airing them out doesn’t do the trick anymore.

Another important rule when it comes to glove care is to always check the manufacturer’s instructions on the care label. The type of materials used for the shell, membrane, insulation and lining all affect the way you should treat your gloves.  

For most ski gloves, synthetic fabrics or leather are used for the shell – however, in many cases, it’s not just one or the other. Synthetic gloves often come with reinforced palms, fingers, and thumbs. Some gloves or mittens also allow you to separate the shells and liners, which means you can wash them independently. 

Please keep in mind: Full-leather gloves or gloves with leather parts should never be submerged in water, but more on that later. Let’s start with synthetics.

Regardless of the specific materials your gloves are made of, we recommend you avoid using harsh chemicals and aggressive solvents or fabric softeners. And if you must wash them, wash them by hand! The rotation of a washer might damage them.

Here are our tips on how to clean your gloves – step by step:

1. Check 
Do a quick check to see if spot-cleaning your gloves might be enough. If there’s a bit of dirt on them, you can use a damp cloth or sponge (water only) to gently wipe it away. For more stubborn stains, you can use water with a bit of detergent and see if that helps. Pro tip: Wear the glove you’re cleaning – it’ll make rubbing any dirt off much easier. 

2. Wash 
No luck with just spot-cleaning? Then you should get some lukewarm water and a mild detergent ready. Important: Do not use hot or cold water as this might shrink or stretch your gloves. Now wash your gloves by gently “massaging” them – avoid scrubbing or kneading them too hard. This could damage the stitching and isn’t necessary to get them clean. 

Rinse your gloves to wash away any remaining dirt and detergent, then gently squeeze them to drain the water. Don’t twist or wring them!

3. Dry 
Place your gloves on a towel and let them air-dry at room temperature. Keep them away from sources of direct heat (i. e. radiators) or sunlight – both can damage the materials. And so can tumble-drying … 

4. Waterproof 
When your gloves are completely dry, you can treat them with a waterproofing spray. It’s a fast and effective way of restoring their water-repellency and getting them ready for the slopes again. 

5. Store 
If you’re packing them away until the next winter season, be sure to store them in a cool, dark and dry place. This way, you won’t be in for any unpleasant surprises when you unpack them again after their summer hiatus. 

Full-leather gloves deserve and need a bit of special attention and care. Leather is a natural product, which makes it behave differently to synthetics. This also means that its appearance might change over time. However, this does not affect your gloves’ performance – and if you look after them correctly, they will last you for years! 

1. Clean 
Leather gloves should only be cleaned with a damp cloth – no detergent. Alternatively, you can also look for a special leather cleaner. 

2. Dry
Wipe away any moisture with a clean and dry cloth, and then leave them to dry naturally. Don’t place them near a direct source of heat as this could cause the leather to crack. 

3. Treat 
When your gloves are completely dry, you should treat them with dubbin or a similar type of regular leather care product. Check the label of the product for detailed instructions on how to use it. For Reusch gloves and mittens, we recommend getting the Reusch Leather Care wax. It enhances the leather’s natural durability and helps it maintain its smoothness. 

And that’s it! As you can see: It doesn’t take much to keep your gloves and mittens clean. A little bit of care – no more than once a season – goes a long way when it comes to making sure your gloves stay in tip-top condition.