How to Clean Goalkeeper Gloves at Home (With or Without Glove Wash) and Make the Latex Last
Latex dies from three things: dirt ground into the palm, drying out near heat, and fermenting in a closed bag. All three are avoidable with ten minutes after each session and no special products, although a glove wash helps. Here is the routine that keeps grip alive, what to do about the smell inside, what never to do and when to accept that the gloves are done.
The after-session routine (five minutes)
- Knock the gloves together to drop loose dirt and turf infill.
- Rinse under lukewarm water, 86 F (30 C) at most, palms down.
- Work a small amount of glove wash or a drop of mild soap into the palm with your fingertips. Do not scrub with a brush.
- Rinse until the water runs clear. Squeeze the glove gently; never wring or twist.
- Dry on a rack at room temperature, fingers open, palms facing up. Not on a radiator, not in the sun, not in the dryer.
Cleaning the inside (the smell)
Turn the glove halfway inside out if the construction allows, rinse the lining and leave to dry open. For gloves that already smell, soak for twenty minutes in cool water with a capful of sports detergent or a splash of white vinegar, then rinse and dry as above. A charcoal pouch in each glove between sessions prevents the problem.
Without glove wash: what works and what does not
- Works: plain water, mild hand soap, baby shampoo, sports detergent at low dose.
- Damages latex: washing machines, bleach, stain removers, dish soap in quantity, hot water, dryers, hairdryers, radiators.
- Pointless: conditioners and "grip sprays" on gloves that are already worn to the foam.
Pre-match prep
Dampen the palms with water just before kick-off and again at half-time. Wet latex grips; dry latex slides. This is the single biggest difference between a glove that feels dead and one that feels new.
Our picks
Links open current Amazon results in each category.
Goalkeeper glove wash
Formulated for latex; a bottle lasts a season.
Glove drying rack or boot dryer without heat
Air flow without heat; dries overnight.
Charcoal deodoriser pouches
One in each glove between sessions.
Goalkeeper glove bag, ventilated
Keeps palms apart and air moving in the kit bag.
Sports detergent
For the lining and for the kit; removes the bacteria that cause the smell.
When to retire a pair
When the palm foam shows through the latex on the fingers or heel of the hand, when the fingertips tear, or when the wrist strap no longer holds. A training pair can carry on past that point; a match pair cannot.
Can goalkeeper gloves go in the washing machine?
No. Even on a cold delicate cycle the agitation tears the latex from the backing.
How often should gloves be washed?
Rinse after every use; a proper wash with soap once a week in season.
Buying new gloves instead? Start with the size chart and our glove guides.
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