How to Care for Soccer Goalkeeper Gloves

Proper cleaning and maintenance could help extend the life of your gloves. 

When a goalkeeper steps into the box, there might be no piece of equipment more important than their gloves. These gloves are specially designed to increase grip while protecting a goalie's hands.

But if you want to help make sure these gloves perform at a high level, you will need to take proper care of them. Here are some simple cleaning and care tips to keep in mind that could help extend the life of your gloves.

KEEP THEM CLEAN

Your gloves will become dirty during matches and training. The dirtier the palms become, the less grip they offer. If too much grime is built up, the latex in the fingers and palm can begin to wear away anytime you touch the ball.

Sweat can also be a concern. It can cause your gloves to stink, but could also cause bacteria to grow in the latex, which makes the material become brittle.

To prevent any of this from happening, it’s important to wash them after every use.

WASHING GOALKEEPER GLOVES

To begin, place warm water in a sink or bucket. While you don't need anything else to clean them, you can use a specially designed glove wash to give them an added degree of freshness.

There are two popular ways to clean your gloves:

• Place the gloves in the water and use your hands to scrub. Don't use anything like a brush as the abrasion can damage the gloves. Squeeze out dirt several times while washing.
• Put a glove on one of your hands and submerge it in the water. Use your other hand to scrub the dirt and work it out of the glove. Then do the same with the other glove.

Run your gloves through running water to help remove any remaining dirt or glove wash. Do not wring or rub the gloves together to remove moisture – the most you ever want to do is squeeze the gloves to eliminate excess water and dirt.

Remember to run some water through the inside of the glove to remove any dirt and built-up sweat.

DRYING GOALKEEPER GLOVES

It’s very important that you dry your goalie gloves properly as well. You can either wrap them in a towel or let them air dry by hanging them in the shower. You can also insert rolled-up newspaper into the gloves to help absorb more water.

Never use direct heat like a hairdryer or place them in the sun to dry. Although it may be tempting, you should never put your gloves in the washer or dryer either. These methods can damage the gloves, especially the palms.

GAMEDAY CARE REMINDERS

Did you know your gloves are designed to perform better when moist? By adding a small amount of water to the palms of the gloves, it could help increase their tackiness and help prevent wear and tear.

If you end up on the ground during a game or when training, lift yourself up by making a fist and pushing up with your fingers rather than your palms. By avoiding putting the latex palms on the ground, you will help decrease the occurrence of tears.

EXTRA TIPS

• If you buy a new pair of gloves, make sure to give them a wash and let them air dry before using them the first time. This is meant to help enhance their grip.
• When you’re done using your gloves for the season, store them in a cool and moist environment. Consider investing in a ventilated glove bag that is specifically designed to keep your gloves safe until their next use. You can also place them in a large freezer bag.
• Remember: do not store your gloves with the palms together. They could become stuck together and rip.
• Make sure you don’t leave your gloves in an area where they can be stepped on.
• Be sure you have gloves that fit. If they are too big, they can wear faster. Gloves that are too tight can rip.

Giving your gloves some TLC can help them last longer and help you better guard your goal on the pitch.