Ducati Monster Forum

How to wash leather motorcycle gloves

Let’s take a look at this video first.

https://youtu.be/3wcglojiMGA

Leather gloves, especially racing gloves that have thin palm and finger panels deteriorate rather quickly if not properly treated.
Sweat rots the leather. So, if you wear one pair of gloves all the time, ride a lot, sweat a lot, think about the possibility of gloves blowing up in the event of get off.

Applying tons of mink oil onto the gloves that are all dried out and hard, have never been washed,  is NOT a proper way to treat them.
If you put too much oil, the leather cannot breath. You should avoid excessive use of oil on gloves.

If you wish to prolong the lifetime span (of the gloves, not yours), the best way is to get two pairs or more gloves and rotate them. And, wash them on regular basis.

So, how do you wash the racing gauntlet with those armors and padding and retention straps?
It is pretty simple, actually.

https://vimeo.com/250515126

Let the gloves soak in lukewarm water for a couple of minutes, so that the salt, oil, dirt, all the crap will lift from the leather.

Wear gloves on.

Using baby shampoo, wash them as you’d wash your hand.

Water in the sink gets dirty very quickly. Also, keep in mind that water would look dirtier with dark colored gloves because of leather dye coming out from the gloves. I wear white or natural finish, avoid black gloves.

When you are done with washing, place the gloves in between the bath towels, gently press and take excess water off.

Hang them dry in the place that gets enough air flow.
Avoid direct sunlight.
Don’t try ti dry them quickly. (Don’t throw them into the dryer. No heat gun, no hair dryer. Be patient.)
When they are about 80% dry, apply leather conditioner.
Don’t do it when they are dripping wet.

Hang them again, and let them dry.


You spend time and money to find a pair that fit your hand, a pair that you like to wear on every ride.
Surely you don’t want to wear them out way too soon.
Keep them clean, you can extend quite a bit of life (of the gloves).

 [thumbsup]

The image below was borrowed from another forum.

(https://i.imgur.com/CoVgaQc.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/l0CS9Zd.jpg)

Expensive Held gloves, kangaroo leather palm, 5 years of regular use, never been washed but heavily treated with lexol.(Leather conditioner).

The good thing is, the leather on the palm got ripped open when the rider was taking off the gloves.
I'm glad it didn't happen when he went down.

 [thumbsup]
Thanks for sharing.

I have a bigger problem with the interior lining getting manky and causing skin issues. Any suggestions? I buy lower end gloves as a result and just chuck them about once a year or two (with a three season set of gloves).

Yes, as a matter of fact, I do have suggestion.

 Motoport Kevlar racing gloves
https://www.motoport.com/product/motoport-racing-glove/

(https://www.motoport.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Racing-Glove-2018.jpg)

(https://www.motoport.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_1237.jpg)

$160 isn't really "cheap", but not crazy expensive either.

The reason I can recommend this?

#1. There's NO LEATHER used on these gloves. They are machine washable.
The entire glove is made out of Kevlar (yes, genuine Dupont (TM) Kevlar, not some cheap knock offs),
so it is much, MUCH easier to keep them clean, than trying to keep lined leather gloves.

#2. Crush tested in the real world
I posted this video in my air bag vest thread, but watch this again.

https://youtu.be/ZaykzE7P_XE

So, these gloves can protect your hands in that kind of crush.




Of course, they are not perfect.
If you want to know more, there are some reviews. (But not many.)

https://youtu.be/NUzmfXkzcwU

http://banditfiles.blogspot.com/2012/11/motoport-kevlar-racing-gloves.html