If you're a goalkeeper, you know this story: the final whistle blows, you look down, and your gloves are soaked with sweat and coated in mud. They urgently need a thorough cleaning – or do they?

The short answer is "yes," but not necessarily a full wash after every use. Soccer goalie gloves are primarily made of latex, a delicate synthetic fabric that requires special material care to preserve the glove's durability and quality.

Improper glove care leads to degraded grip, a buildup of bad odors, and premature wear and tear. So, it's important for goalkeepers, from beginners to professionals, to look after their gloves properly.

Caring for your gloves is an essential part of protecting your investment, especially if you're using gloves from an elite brand like Storelli. Let's take a look at the best ways to do that.

How Often Should You Clean Goalie Gloves?

After Every Game?

Should you wash your gloves after every game or training session?

To an extent, that depends on the circumstances and weather conditions. If you're working up a serious sweat playing in rain and mud, week in week out, it's probably a good idea.

But in most cases, you shouldn't need to wash your gloves thoroughly after every session. In fact, over-washing can be as counter-productive as not cleaning enough.

A full clean is typically needed after two or three matches, or whenever you can see (or smell) that excessive dirt has built up. For the games in between, you can give the gloves a light rinsing, rather than a complete wash.

Training Gloves vs. Match Gloves

It's common practice for goalies to keep several pairs of goalkeeper gloves, some for matchdays and some for training.

Because the rigors of training are typically far less intense than during matches, a light rinse of the dirty or sweaty areas after sessions will usually suffice. After several sessions, when your nose confirms a build-up of odor-causing bacteria, it's time for a thorough wash.

You also generally don't need optimal performance out of your goalkeeper gloves during training. If they look a little grubby during a session, it doesn't make much difference. However, for your matchday gloves, you want as much grip and control as possible. You also need your gloves to look and smell good in front of a big crowd.

So, your matchday gloves need to be washed more often. An effective strategy to consider is rotating pairs between training and matchdays. This helps preserve all your gloves, leaving you with a choice of the best gloves for each game.

Step-by-Step: How to Wash Goalie Gloves by Hand

Always check your gloves' manufacturer guidelines for instructions on how best to wash your gloves. Exotic glove materials may require special care. But in general, here's the best way to hand-wash latex-palmed goalie gloves.

What You’ll Need

First, prepare everything you'll need for the wash:

• Lukewarm water
• A sink/basin or shower
• Glove-specific soap or cleaner (optional)
• A towel
• A drying rack

Soaking & Rinsing the Right Way

Now you're ready to start cleaning.

It's really important to use only lukewarm water (~30°C / 86°F). Never use hot water - it can damage the latex, reducing the grip, making the latex palm brittle, and reducing the lifespan of your gloves.

Soak the gloves in lukewarm water for 10–15 minutes or gently rinse them under the shower, gradually working out the dirt. Gently massage any dirt out of the glove’s material. Don't scrub the gloves, or wring them when you've finished rinsing.

Optional: Using Glove Wash

If they're not too dirty or smelly, you can rinse your gloves with water alone. Some recommend dabbing a little rubbing alcohol to kill any lurking odor-causing bacterial cells.

But to remove serious dirt, you'll probably need a solvent. It's really important that you use glove-specific products only. You can use a special glove wash – a variety of excellent plant-based cleaning products are available. Alternatively, you can use a mild, low-foaming soap, but it must be free of dyes, phosphates, and other harsh chemicals.

But whichever option you use, it's vital that you thoroughly rinse the gloves with clean water afterwards to remove all soap residue.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Never use detergent, bleach, fabric softener, or even shampoo. They're too harsh and will damage the delicate latex, reducing glove performance and longevity.
• Avoid over-scrubbing, which destroys the latex grip.
• Don't twist or wring the gloves to get the water out. Just press it out gently with your fingers.

Drying Goalie Gloves: What Works & What Destroys Latex

The drying process is as important as the washing.

Best Methods: Air Drying

The best way by far to dry your goalkeeper gloves after washing is by air drying. There are two basic ways.

The first is the hang-dry method. Simply hook the gloves over a shower rod, goalpost, or drying hanger, preferably in a well-ventilated area, and allow them to dry completely.

The second is the towel method. Wrap each glove in a clean dry towel separately, then leave the towels in a dry, warm place to gradually dry out.

The key in both methods is patience. It can take 12 to 24 hours for the gloves to dry completely, and using them before that can weaken the glove material.

What to Avoid

• Avoid direct sunlight – the UV radiation can make the latex brittle and degrade the grip.
• Never use a dryer, radiator, hairdryer, or heater. As with washing, too much heat damages goalkeeper gloves.
• Don't put the gloves in closed containers or glove bags during drying, as this will slow down the process and may cause mold.

Can You Machine Wash Goalie Gloves?

You may be tempted to just toss your gloves in the washing machine along with your other kit. That certainly requires less time and effort than manual washing and drying. But is it a good idea?

The Truth About Washing Machines

It's true that some keepers do use washing machines to wash and dry their soccer gloves, but it is not recommended. Machine washing can cause the latex to degrade, the stitching and seams to loosen, and the grip to diminish.

If you do use a washing machine, only use a short cycle with no detergent and cold water – definitely not hot. Also, don't use a dryer after washing. Rather, use one of the air-dry methods above.

How to Store Clean Goalie Gloves Properly

Once your soccer gloves are clean and perfectly dry, how you store them is another important factor in keeping them in tip-top condition and free of odor-causing bacteria.

Post-Dry Storage

Dry gloves should be stored in a cool, dry place in a breathable bag or pouch made from a durable, well-ventilated material like polyester. Don't use a plastic bag, and don't store them in overly dark, damp areas. You should also avoid stacking gloves on top of each other, as this can reduce ventilation and cause a buildup of bacterial cells.

Use Glove Bags with Ventilation

Some goalie glove bags come with mesh on the bottom or padding on the interior. These features help with ventilation and avoid accidental damage from knocks.

Specialized goalie bags like these are well worth the price, especially if you've invested in gloves from a performance brand like Storelli.com that makes gloves built to last, and that deserve proper storage. Good glove care extends the life and performance of padded gloves and pro-grade latex in general.

Final Tips for Long-Lasting Goalie Gloves

Use Separate Gloves for Training & Games

It's a great idea to keep a few pairs of gloves and rotate them between training and matches to reduce overuse and wear.

Wash Smart, Not Too Often

Over-washing wears latex out. So, spot clean and rinse lightly when possible, and only do thorough washes when the dirt (and smell) builds up.

Respect the Latex

Latex is a high-performance material and needs delicate treatment to preserve its quality. Treat it like a crucial part of your gear, not like a gym towel.

Summary: A Simple Routine for Serious Goalkeepers

Summing up everything we've learned:

• Clean goalkeeper gloves mean a better grip, less odor, and longer lifespan.
• Hand-wash gently, air-dry properly, and store with care.
• Invest in top-tier gloves like Storelli’s ExoShield line, and keep them match-ready with proper glove care.

Beyond goalkeeper gloves, like their renowned gladiator gloves, Storelli also offers a range of other high-grade soccer goalie equipment like goalkeeper jerseys and goalkeeper protective gear like shin guard sleeves for players of all levels.

FAQs

What can I use to clean my goalkeeper gloves?

The most important thing to remember is to use lukewarm or cold water if you have to, but never hot.

You can also use a mild, natural soap, free of harsh chemicals, or a special glove wash. But remember to rinse all the soap residue out thoroughly before drying.

How often should I wash my GK gloves?

It depends on the weather conditions and the amount of dirt. Under average conditions, you should typically wash matchday gloves after every 2-3 matches, with a lighter rinse after the games in between. Training gloves need a full wash less regularly – use your discretion.

How to get rid of the smell of stinky goalie gloves?

You can use dabs of isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to reduce odors, but remember to dry the gloves completely before storing. You can also sprinkle baking soda inside the gloves. However, soda bicarbonate should only be used sparingly and irregularly, as it will dry out the latex with overuse.

Can I wash goalie gloves in the washing machine?

It's definitely better to hand-wash using one of the methods described above. However, although it is not recommended, you can use a washing machine if absolutely necessary. Just remember to use cold water only, run a short cycle, don't use detergent, and air-dry afterwards (not machine dry).