The palms (grips) of the American football gloves are made of delicate material; this means you can't just machine wash them on a normal cycle without taking other precautions. Usually, it is recommended to proceed by hand to prevent them from accidentally getting damaged in the appliance. However, if the manufacturer says they can be put in the washing machine, take a couple of steps to prevent them from wearing too much. By taking other small precautions, you can prevent them from getting further damaged, also reducing bad smells.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Hand Wash them
Step 1. Prepare the soaking solution
Close the sink cap and start running lukewarm water from the tap. Once the sink is filled, pour a tablespoon of mild liquid detergent under the stream of water and stir the mixture to blend the ingredients, then turn off the tap.
- If the gloves are particularly dirty, try using a couple of denture disinfectant tablets instead of the detergent.
- Do not use water that is too hot, as excessive heat can damage certain materials that are used to make football gloves.
Step 2. Rub them
Put them in the sink and leave them under the surface of the water; soak them in the soapy solution until they are completely soaked; at this point, use your fingertips to rub them, always below the water level. Pay particular attention to the dirtiest or stained areas.
- Alternatively, you can wear and clean them as if you were washing your bare hands.
- Always use your fingertips instead of a brush or some other abrasive tool; you do not have to damage the parts that guarantee a good grip.
Step 3. Rinse them
Open the sink drain to drain the dirty water; afterwards, close it again and fill the sink with water, but this time use it cold. Dip the gloves and shake them to remove all traces of the soapy solution.
Step 4. Dry them
Once all the detergent has been rinsed off, squeeze them on the sink to get rid of as much water as possible; afterwards, leave them hanging in the air on a flat surface or hang them on the clothesline or on a drying rack. Remember:
Excessive heat can damage them; do not put them in the dryer and do not try to dry them with other heat sources, such as a hairdryer
Method 2 of 3: Wash them in the washing machine
Step 1. Read the instructions for using the gloves
Keep in mind that the material with which they were made may vary according to brand and model; you must therefore always read the manufacturer's recommendations regarding washing methods. Some types can be washed in the washing machine, but others can only be cleaned by hand; if in doubt, always proceed manually.
Step 2. Put them inside out
Keep in mind that, during the wash cycle, the outer side of the garments is subjected to more and more friction than the inner side; therefore protect the palms of the gloves by turning them inside out. You need to reduce the risk of damage from rips, tears or wear.
Step 3. Place them in a pillowcase
Be aware that washing machines with top loading generally have a more aggressive washing cycle than those with front loading; if your appliance is of the first type, protect the gloves further by placing them inside a pillowcase or some other similar element and tie the ends. The washing cycles of front loading washing machines should be more delicate for the gloves, but if you have any doubts it is always better to err on the side of caution and put them in a bag anyway.
Step 4. Wash them in cold water on a gentle program
Remember that heat can damage the elements that make up the gloves, depending on the type of material that was used. Set the minimum temperature available for both washing and rinsing, then opt for a "gentle wash cycle" for the least aggressive action possible. Add some neutral laundry detergent while the washing machine loads the water.
Step 5. Air dry them
End the wash cycle, then lay the gloves on a flat surface or hang them on a clothesline or on the drying rack. Do not use the dryer, as the heat can damage the palms and / or other components of the gloves.
Method 3 of 3: Minimize Wear and Odors
Step 1. Wash them infrequently
Regardless of whether you decide to wash them by hand or in the washing machine, keep in mind that each wash causes more wear to the areas that guarantee a good grip. To reduce the impact of continuous washing, you should avoid cleaning them after each single use; wash them once a week or every 15 days, unless absolutely necessary.
Step 2. Leave them in the air after each use
Since you shouldn't wash them every time you use them, don't leave them in your bag or locker; take them home and hang them on a clothesline or drying rack so they can breathe. Make sure that moisture and sweat evaporate into the air, facilitating good circulation and thus avoiding the accumulation of bad odors.
Step 3. Absorb odors with appropriate material
Even if you keep the gloves out after each use, at some point the sweat that has built up starts to get quite smelly. You can fight this by using sweat-absorbing material when you're not using them. Listed below are some readily available items around the house that you can use for your purpose:
- New tea bags;
- Fabric softener sheets for use in tumble dryers;
- Newspaper.
