Boxing gloves are padded equipment that protect a boxer’s hands during training and sparring sessions. They can collect sweat and bacteria over time, causing unpleasant odors.
Regular cleaning helps prevent odors and promotes the longevity of the gloves. While washing your gloves may not be the most exciting part of your training routine, it is an essential step in ensuring their durability.
Air Out After Each Use
Boxing gloves are a vital piece of equipment for boxers, protecting them from injury while they throw punches at the heavy bag or spar in the ring. However, these padded pieces of equipment can quickly become smelly and unsanitary without proper care. Fortunately, by taking a few simple cleaning steps after each training session, you can ensure that your boxing gloves last longer and remain fresher and more comfortable.
Start by wiping down the outside of your gloves with a soft cloth dampened with soapy water. Pay particular attention to areas that come into frequent contact with your hands, such as the wrist straps and thumb area. Thorough cleaning will help to remove sweat, oils, and bacteria that can irritate the skin inside of your gloves.
After a thorough wipe down, allow your boxing gloves to dry out completely before lacing them back up. Avoid putting them directly back into your gym bag, as this can breed more bacteria and cause odors to return even faster. Instead, set your gloves out in a well-ventilated spot to air out for at least 24 hours before wearing them again.
Leaving your gloves in a dark, contained space for extended periods of time can also damage them. Over time, the padding can compress or flatten, and the exterior of the glove may begin to crack and develop holes. Not only do damaged gloves look unsightly, but they can also compromise the safety of the wearer by limiting the amount of protection that the gloves provide.
If your boxing gloves are already starting to smell bad, use an organic disinfectant or spray that’s designed for athletic gear to freshen them up. Some of these sprays can kill odor-causing bacteria and help your gloves to smell better for longer.
Another trick that some pugilists use to clean their boxing gloves is to stick them in the freezer to fight odors. However, this method is not recommended, as the extreme temperature changes can damage the construction of your gloves. Instead, try a more long-term solution like sprinkling your gloves with baking soda or placing an absorbent such as charcoal packs or cedar chips inside of them when they’re not in use.
Wash Regularly
Boxing gloves are expensive investments, so you’re going to want to do all you can to keep them looking and smelling great. The sweat that builds up inside your gloves is one of the main reasons they start to smell, but there are ways to reduce and eliminate this smell. The most important thing is to make sure your gloves are properly cleaned after every use. If you don’t clean your gloves, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria that will lead to bad odors.
The first thing you’ll need to do is take your gloves out of your gym bag and prop them open with a pencil or similar object so that they can air out. After that, wipe down your gloves both inside and out with a cloth or towel to soak up as much of the moisture as possible. Next, sanitize and disinfect your gloves using a half-and-half vinegar and water solution. You can also try rubbing them down with a few squirts of dish soap, but be careful not to use anything too harsh that could damage the leather.
After you’ve wiped down your gloves, let them dry out in the sun for a few hours. Don’t leave them in the sun for longer than this, though, as direct sunlight can damage your gloves. You can also try placing a pair of glove dogs in your gym bag, which are breathable pouches filled with cedar chips that will absorb the moisture from your gloves and eliminate any lingering odors.
Baking soda is another useful tip for keeping your gloves fresh and odour-free. Just sprinkle a bit of baking soda in your gloves after each use and then leave them to dry overnight. This time-tested trick will help to get rid of that rank, sweaty smell that can build up in your gloves after long training sessions and sparring matches.
A saltwater soak is a more drastic measure, but it’s effective at killing the bacteria that can cause odor in your boxing gloves. Be careful when using this method, though, as too much salt can damage the padding in your gloves.
Dry Well
Boxing gloves are a critical piece of equipment for anyone who trains or fights regularly. High-quality gloves can be expensive, and they are an investment in your safety, comfort, and performance. However, the sweat and moisture that build up in your boxing gloves creates an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive and breed foul odors. When your gloves smell, they make it difficult to concentrate on your training, and they can cause discomfort for your skin.
To avoid this, it is important to dry your boxing gloves thoroughly after each use. While you may be tempted to throw your gloves into your gym bag after each use, it is a good idea to hang them up in a well-ventilated area so that they can dry out. This will help prevent odors and keep your gloves in good shape for longer.
You can also sanitize your boxing gloves by wiping them down with a damp cloth or antibacterial wipe after each use. When cleaning your gloves, be sure to focus on areas that are most often in contact with your hand, such as the wrist straps and thumb area. When drying your boxing gloves, be careful not to submerge them in water as this can damage the materials and padding.
There are several ways to dry your boxing gloves, including using a hairdryer or hanging them outside in the sun. Both of these methods can be effective, but it is important to remember that direct sunlight can damage the leather exterior of your gloves, causing them to crack over time.
Some people have even used tea bags to clean their boxing gloves. The theory behind this is that the moisture in the teabags will dry out any bacteria in the gloves, thereby eliminating the odors. While this might work for new gloves that have only a small amount of moisture after each use, it is unlikely to work on long standing odors in boxing gloves.
Another way to help dry your boxing gloves is by sprinkling baking soda inside each glove. The baking soda will absorb the odors and leave your gloves smelling fresh. You can also try spraying the inside of your gloves with a diluted solution of half vinegar and water before leaving them to dry.
Store Well
While it may seem like a hassle to take extra steps in keeping your boxing gloves clean, these simple maintenance habits will extend their lifespan. Regular cleaning and proper storage will keep your gloves fresher longer and prevent the growth of bacteria that can lead to foul odors.
After each training session, make sure to wipe down the exteriors and interiors of your gloves. This will remove excess moisture and halt the growth of bacteria inside your gloves. It’s also important to give your gloves some air before zipping them back into your gym bag. This will help reduce the buildup of odors from sweat in your gym bag and avoid a damp and smelly mess next time you train.
To further minimize odors, you can place a small bag of baking soda in each glove. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that absorbs moisture and neutralizes odors. You can also try stuffing your gloves with a pair of socks filled with volcanic pebbles or other odor-eating items. Alternatively, you can also use dryer sheets or newspaper to soak up sweat and eliminate odors.
If you notice that your boxing gloves have a persistent foul odor, it’s likely time to replace them. Persistent odors indicate that the padding inside your gloves has flattened and is no longer effective in absorbing impact, which can lead to injuries. You can try washing them again, but this process will reshape the padding and cause it to lose its cushioning, making your gloves less effective.
You can purchase commercial odor-fighting sprays that can be used to spray down your gloves before and after each training session. These products can be found at most athletic stores and are designed to kill the bacteria that produce bad odors. Another option is to place your gloves in the freezer overnight. Most strains of bacteria become dormant at freezing temperatures, and putting your gloves in the freezer can kill them before they can start producing foul smells.
While your boxing gloves can be an expensive investment, taking good care of them will ensure that they last a long time and continue to provide you with the support and protection that you need in your training. By following these simple maintenance tips, you can ensure that your boxing gloves will be ready to go for each training session.
