How to Wash Winter Gloves Without Ruining Them

To wash winter gloves, start with the care label. Most knitted acrylic, cotton and fleece gloves can go in the washing machine on a cool, gentle cycle inside a mesh laundry bag, with a small amount of mild liquid detergent and no fabric softener. Wool gloves are safer washed by hand in cool water. Waterproof, padded, touch screen and leather gloves usually need spot cleaning rather than a full soak. Whatever the type, press the water out rather than wringing, reshape the fingers and let the gloves dry flat at room temperature, away from radiators.

Gloves pick up more dirt than almost anything else in a winter wardrobe: car door handles, shopping trolleys, dog leads, garden gates and runny noses. Below is how to clean each common type without shrinking, stretching or spoiling it.

Check the label and the material first

The care label is usually sewn inside the cuff. A wash tub symbol with a number shows the maximum temperature in degrees Celsius, a hand in the tub means hand wash only, and a crossed-out tub means the gloves should not be washed in water at all. If a symbol is unclear, the GINETEX guide to care symbols explains each one.

If the label has worn away, go by the material:

How to wash winter gloves in the washing machine

For knitted acrylic, cotton and fleece gloves that the label says are machine washable:

1. Shake out any grit and brush off dried mud with a soft brush.
2. Dab any marks with a little liquid detergent and leave it for a few minutes.
3. Turn the gloves inside out if they have a lining, and close any cuff fasteners so they cannot snag.
4. Put the pair in a mesh laundry bag or a zipped pillowcase. This stops one glove vanishing in the drum and protects the fingers from stretching.
5. Choose a cool, gentle or wool cycle at the temperature on the label, often 30°C or lower, with a reduced spin.
6. Use a small amount of mild liquid detergent and leave out the fabric softener.
7. Wash with similar colours and light items such as hats and scarves, not heavy jeans or towels with zips.

Take the gloves out as soon as the cycle finishes, so they are not left balled up and damp in the drum.

How to hand wash knitted and wool gloves

Wool fibres felt and shrink when they are rubbed or moved about in warm water, so a gentle hand wash is the safer choice.

1. Fill a basin with cool or lukewarm water and add a small amount of wool or delicates detergent.
2. Submerge the gloves and gently squeeze the water through them several times.
3. Leave them to soak for around ten minutes. Work any grubby fingertips between your own fingers rather than scrubbing.
4. Drain the basin and rinse in fresh water at the same temperature until no suds remain.
5. Press out the water. Do not wring or twist the gloves.

Hats and gloves often come in matching sets, and the same method suits both. Our guide on how to wash a beanie hat covers bobbles and shaping a hat as it dries.

How to clean waterproof, thermal and touch screen gloves

Gloves made for wind and rain are built from layers: an outer shell or coating, sometimes a membrane, and an insulating lining. Soaking them can leave water trapped between the layers, and heavy detergent or softener can leave a residue that affects how they handle wet weather. Unless the label clearly says they are washable, spot cleaning is the safer option:

• Brush off dried dirt once the gloves are dry.
• Mix a drop of mild detergent into a bowl of cool water.
• Dip a soft cloth in, wring it out well and wipe the outer surface, palms and cuffs.
• Wipe again with a cloth dampened in clean water to remove any soap.
• Pat dry with a towel and leave them to air dry with the cuffs open.

As an example, the listing for our waterproof touch screen thermal gloves describes an SBR waterproof coating, PU leather and conductive cloth on the fingertips, and a PU leather and silicone palm, and it advises not to immerse them in water. Gloves like these are best cleaned by wiping the surface rather than washing them in a basin or machine.

Touch screen fingertips need a little extra care. The conductive material can wear with heavy use and frequent washing, so clean those areas lightly and avoid scrubbing them. If your gloves stop working on your phone after cleaning, our guide to whether touch screen gloves work explains the usual causes, such as worn tips or a loose fit.

How to clean leather and faux leather gloves

Leather should not be soaked or put in the washing machine. Wipe the surface with a soft cloth that is only just damp, and for marks use a cleaner made for leather, following its instructions. Faux leather can usually be wiped with a little mild soapy water and then a clean damp cloth. Let both dry naturally at room temperature, and flex the fingers gently as they dry so they do not stiffen.

How to dry gloves after washing

Drying is where most gloves lose their shape. To get it right:

• Roll the gloves in a dry towel and press firmly to soak up excess water.
• Reshape each finger and the thumb, and pat the cuff back into a round shape.
• Lay them flat on a dry towel or a drying rack, turning them once or twice.
• Keep them away from radiators, heaters, open fires and direct sun. Strong heat can shrink knits, damage coatings and make leather brittle.
• Avoid hanging wet knitted gloves by the fingertips, as the weight of the water can stretch them.

If you need them dry more quickly, a warm, well-ventilated room helps, and so does standing padded gloves upright, cuffs open, so air can reach the inside. Stuffing them loosely with a dry paper towel or tea towel for the first hour draws moisture out of the fingers. Only use the tumble dryer if the label allows it.

How often should you wash winter gloves?

There is no fixed rule. Everyday knitted gloves benefit from a wash every few weeks during winter, or sooner if they are visibly dirty or start to smell. Waterproof and leather gloves need cleaning less often, as every wash puts some wear on coatings and leather. In between, let gloves air out after each use rather than stuffing them damp into a coat pocket, which is the main cause of musty smells.

Frequently asked questions

Can you put gloves in the washing machine?

Many knitted acrylic, cotton and fleece gloves can be machine washed on a cool, gentle cycle inside a mesh bag. Wool, leather, padded and waterproof gloves are usually better hand washed or spot cleaned. Always check the label first.

Can you wash touch screen gloves?

Some can be washed and some cannot, so follow the care label. Waterproof or coated touch screen gloves are often spot clean only. Wash or wipe the conductive fingertips gently, as frequent washing can wear them down.

Can you tumble dry gloves?

Only if the label says so. Heat can shrink knitted gloves, damage waterproof coatings and dry out leather, so air drying flat at room temperature is the safer choice.

How do you get the smell out of gloves?

Wash or spot clean them as their material allows, then make sure they dry completely. For gloves you cannot wash, sprinkling a little bicarbonate of soda inside, leaving it overnight and shaking it out can help with odours.

The bottom line

Read the label, wash knitted gloves cool and gently, spot clean anything waterproof or leather, and always dry gloves flat and away from heat. A few minutes of care keeps them warm, comfortable and in shape for the rest of the season. If a pair is past saving, you can browse our winter collection for gloves, hats and socks.