Maintaining clothing and protective gear is essential when owning a motorcycle, especially if you ride regularly in various weather conditions. Whether you’re venturing out on long summer road trips or blistering through intense winter showers, your attire will likely need a good clean.
Despite how tough your motorcycle gloves are, cleaning them without causing damage is crucial to ensuring their longevity, regardless of whether they are made of leather, mesh, or textile. That said, each type of material requires a slightly different type of care, so be sure you know what your gloves are made of before you start cleaning them.
If you’re about to clean your motorcycle gloves but aren’t sure where to start, read on: this blog will take you through the process step by step.
Table of Contents
- What do I need to clean motorcycle gloves?
- What are the different motorcycle glove materials?
- How to clean leather motorcycle gloves
- How to clean mesh or textile motorcycle gloves
What do I need to clean motorcycle gloves?
Warm water, a mild detergent and a soft, microfiber cloth are must-haves for cleaning textile or mesh gloves. For leather gloves, replace the mild detergent with a dedicated leather cleaner and your chosen conditioner.
In some cases, a soft brush can be handy when cleaning motorcycle gloves, especially if they have thick layers of dirt that need to be removed before applying a damp cloth.
What are the different motorcycle glove materials?
Because motorcycle journeys vary so much in nature, it may come as no surprise that the materials used to make gloves are also extremely varied, with different materials used for different types of rides.
Durable and water-resistant, leather is a popular choice for a range of conditions, moulding to the shape of riders’ hands whilst providing a sturdy grip on the handlebars. Leather gloves offer protection from various weather conditions and, when properly cared for, can last for an extended period.
Alongside leather, synthetic materials (such as Kevlar, which is a type of mesh) and other textiles are used to make motorcycle gloves. In general, gloves made with synthetic mesh are designed for maximum airflow and are therefore suitable for riding in summer or in places with a relatively warm climate. In contrast, textile gloves are more versatile, often waterproof, and therefore suitable for use in all weather conditions, with the added advantage of being able to add or remove liners as needed.
Regardless of the material, knowing how to clean your gloves is important, as maintaining their condition ensures they remain effective.
How to clean leather motorcycle gloves
In addition to knowing how to clean leather gloves, it is also essential to know how to condition them, as this protects the leather by restoring the essential oils that have depleted over time. It is essential to note that you should always clean your gloves before conditioning them, and check the label to ensure they don’t have any specific cleaning requirements.
Before we proceed with the steps, it is worth mentioning some general guidelines for cleaning leather motorcycle gloves. The first is never to put them in a washing machine, as this can damage them beyond repair. The second is to use lukewarm water rather than hot water when applying the leather cleaner.
Finally, never put your leather gloves in a dryer or place them on or near direct heat, as this can cause damage.
Step one: remove any excess dirt
Using a dry brush, gently remove any excess dirt, dust, or other debris that can be easily removed from your gloves, as this will help prevent the unnecessary spread of dirt. If your gloves don’t have any excessive clumps of dirt on them, you can proceed to the next step.
Step two: wipe down and dry out
Take a damp microfiber cloth and apply a small amount of leather cleaner, gently wiping your gloves without soaking them too much. Where possible, ‘spot cleaning’ (only cleaning the dirty areas) your gloves is advisable, as getting your gloves too wet can damage the leather.
Step three: cleaning the insides
Once you’ve dealt with the gloves’ exterior, turn them inside out and repeat the process with the insides. Leave any waterproofing in place while you do so. After you’ve cleaned them, gently squeeze them under cold running water to remove any excess soap.
Once you have cleaned your gloves, turn them back out and leave them to dry in a well-ventilated area, such as a porch or airing cupboard. If possible, leave them to dry overnight, as they need to be completely without moisture for the conditioning to work.
Step four: condition your gloves
Once your motorcycle gloves are dry, simply apply the conditioner. While you must follow the instructions that come with the conditioner you choose, most conditioners recommend applying a liberal amount to a soft cloth or sponge before evenly distributing it across the gloves’ surface.
Once done, let the gloves dry in a well-ventilated area, just as you did before conditioning them.
How to clean mesh or textile motorcycle gloves
Although these are technically two separate types of gloves, the method for cleaning them is very similar, so the steps below are written with both in mind. That said, it is worth noting that textile gloves can generally go in the washing machine, provided they are put on a gentle spin with cold water. To confirm this, check the label on the inside of your gloves before proceeding.
Step one: gentle hand wash
After filling a bowl with lukewarm water and mild detergent, take a soft, clean cloth and place it in the bowl. Gently wipe the gloves down. It is essential to avoid scrubbing the gloves too hard, as this can cause damage to them.
Step two: turn them inside out
Much like when cleaning leather gloves, turning your gloves inside out and repeating the above process is key. Unlike with leather gloves, however, if the insides of your synthetic or textile gloves are particularly smelly, you can mix one part water with white vinegar and give them a quick once-over, as this should eliminate any stubborn odours.
Step three: don’t wring them out!
You must handle both textile and mesh gloves carefully, so wringing them out is a definite no-go. As with leather gloves, you should leave mesh and textile gloves to dry in a well-ventilated room.
Once they’re dry, that’s it! You’re ready to get back out on the road.
Shop motorcycle gloves at Bikers World!
Regularly maintaining your motorcycle gloves is the best way to ensure they remain in top condition. However, even the most cared-for gloves can sometimes be past the point of no return. If your gloves are no longer coming up nice and clean, it might be time to invest in a new pair. At Bikers World Store, we offer a vast selection of motorcycle gloves, perfect for every rider.
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