Cleaning a baseball glove is something that needs to be done to make sure it stays in good shape. You’ll need a few different items to make sure it’s done correctly.
This article will show you how to clean a baseball glove and care for your gloves so they last longer and don’t get gross!
Cleaning Your Baseball Glove (How to Clean a Baseball Glove)
The proper baseball glove care is critical for keeping your glove in use for more than a season. Gloves, like shoes, can get scuffed up or damaged over time if not properly cared for. Gloves are made of strong and long-lasting organic leather, but they’re prone to decay if neglected.
1. Use soap for dirt renovation
Wipe your glove with soap and water to remove any dirt or sweat. Allow the glove to air dry after wiping it down and then place it in a clean, dry location. It is not necessary to use dishwashing liquid or detergent to remove your glove’s first since it might affect the quality.
Saddle soap may be used. The best product for cleaning your baseball glove is saddle soap. The procedure is simple. Wipe the mirror with a clean cloth, then sprinkle a little of the saddle soap on it. Rub the rag in circles and apply some pressure to the soap as you work it into every part of the glove. Next, use a clean cloth to wipe away the extra saddle soap and debris it removed.
Of course, the actual cleaning is a bit more complex than that, but the overall method is quite simple. It’s that easy, there’s no excuse not to do it. Glove maintenance is not difficult, yet it does not take long to do. There’s no need to overlook it since it’s simple and won’t require much of your time.
Buffing – is another way to remove dirt from your glove. You will need a clean cloth and some shoe polish. Apply the polish to the cloth and buff the glove in a circular motion until all of the dirt is removed.
Be sure to read your manufacturer’s instructions before applying any kind of cleaning product to your baseball glove!
Petroleum Jelly – can also be used to help break down the dirt and oils on your glove. Apply a small amount of jelly to a clean cloth and wipe it all over the surface of the glove. Let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with water and air drying.
2. Scouring
In this cleaning method, you can use a starchy brush to work out tough dirt and oils. Just rub the glove with a brush until it is clean, continuing to dust off any excess starch as you go along.
Be careful not to scrub too hard or for too long because this can lead to heavy scratching of the surface. The goal is just enough pressure so that the bristles break down built-up dirt and oil.
After cleaning your glove in this manner, you will need to condition it so that the leather does not become dry or cracked. You can use a commercial conditioner or even olive oil to achieve this goal. Simply apply it to a cloth and rub it on the surface of the glove. Let it sit for about 15 minutes before wiping away the excess with a dry cloth.
Use a cleaning agent – If your glove becomes dirty, you can use a cleaning agent such as diluted bleach or ammonia. However, make sure to test any cleaning agents in an inconspicuous area of the glove before using them on the entire surface.
Dispel the glove laces – If the laces of your glove become loose, it is time for you to get rid of them. The best way to do this is by cutting the lace using a sharp knife or scissors. If you want, you can use thread and needle to sew new holes into which the lacing will be re-laced later on.
3. Use rubbing alcohol and water
The easiest approach to get mold out of a baseball glove is to use the techniques outlined above. If this doesn’t work, it’s probably due to a lack of drying time on the inside of the glove. To correct this, combine rubbing alcohol and water in a mixing bowl at a one-to-one ratio of 50% rubbing alcohol and 50% water.
The alcohol in this strategy aids in the drying of the water. Another crucial step is to keep your glove in a proper location. Keep it open on a room temperature setting. Don’t put it in the bottom of your equipment bag, or anywhere else that’s cold and dark.
Dry the glove well – After the entire process is complete, you’ll want to let your glove sit and dry overnight. If this isn’t possible, try letting it air out for several hours in a warm room. The next day, apply some new leather conditioner or oil to replenish lost moisture from cleaning and conditioning procedures. You can find these products in most major sports retailers or online.
Washing with sudsy water – Remove any excess dirt or mud from your glove by hand using a little bit of sudsy water and a soft-bristled brush. Rinse it off with clean water, then air dry it before storing.
You can also use a vacuum cleaner – to remove the dirt from your glove. Attach the hose to the crevice tool on your vacuum cleaner. When you turn on the machine, allow it to run over both sides of the glove. This will remove any loose dirt particles and help you clean up before storage or use.
Everything that gets your baseball glove clean is going to require you to break down dirt and oil, but not in such a way as to damage it. This can be done by using special cleaning procedures or even household items like shoe polish and petroleum jelly. In the end, however, make sure you follow your manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.
How to Store Your Baseball Gloves
During the winter months, keep your glove on a shelf in a cool, dry location or at room temperature. Don’t leave your glove outside, near a heater, or in your equipment bag. Keep your glove clean. Allow your glove to dry naturally if it gets wet, using a clean absorbent cloth as effectively as possible and allowing it to air dry.
Below are some tips on how and where to store your baseball gloves, to preserve its quality, usability and it’s lifespan.
1. Temperature
Ideally, the best storage location for your glove is at room temperature. Attics are often too hot in summer, and basements are typically far too cool during the winter. It’s best to place the glove on a shelf under normal conditions. Do not store your glove anywhere that has drastic or wide temperature fluctuations.
2. Protecting Your Glove From The Elements
Avoid storing the glove in an area where it will be exposed to water, such as a mudroom or garage. In humid conditions, mildew might form on your glove and cause deterioration. In dry conditions, the leather can become too brittle. Common sense should be a good guide here.
If your glove is wet when you store it, try to hasten its drying by stuffing a soft absorbent cloth in it. Do not let your glove soak in water for an extended period of time or without any means of external support (i.e., a glove stand, a chair back, etc.).
3. The Safest Way To Dry A Glove
When drying your wet glove, keep it in its original shape while applying external pressure or stuffing it with cloths to maintain the natural shape of the pocket and webbing. Do not place any hard objects inside the glove during this time. A glove that is misshapen when dry will not perform well.
When hanging your glove up to dry, do not suspend it by the laces only, as this will affect the shape of the pocket. Use a glove stand or hang it on a wall with its back facing outward. If there are two loops on the outside of the glove, thread them together and hang them up by those loops to maintain their shape.
You should never dry your wet glove by placing it near a radiator or other heat source because this will cause the leather to become hard and wrinkled. Heat soaks into the leather very quickly, which is what happened when you got your new glove wet.
4. Caring For The Leather
It’s very important to keep your glove conditioned to maintain its quality. Clean it often by wiping the dirt and dust off with a damp cloth, then wipe it dry. Do not spray water or other liquids directly onto the glove since this will soak into the leather making it heavy, stiff, and un-usable.
Do not use petroleum jelly, baby oil, or other oils while cleaning the glove since this will tend to seep into the leather pores making it heavy and soft. Also, do not leave the glove in direct sunlight for extended periods since this will tend to dry out the leather.
Many people think that you should keep your gloves oiled, but don’t bother. Grease stains are difficult to remove and the leather becomes heavier with age. If the glove is excessively dry, use a very mild conditioner sparingly after cleaning it.
5. Storing Your Glove Between Uses
Never store your gloves for extended periods by wrapping them in plastic bags or other materials. The leather will decay from the lack of oxygen and moisture, which allows mildew to form and also makes your glove misshapen.
Tapered gloves (those that become progressively smaller towards the pocket) should be stuffed with a soft cloth to maintain their natural shape when not in use. If it’s a two-piece model, stuff the fingers and back of the glove to maintain their shape.
Do not use the original boxes when storing your glove since these often crush and misshapen it. Rubber bands can also ruin the natural shape of your glove, so try to avoid them if possible. And lastly, do not store your glove in a closet or attic where it is exposed to constant changes in temperature and humidity.
Remember, a glove is a piece of sports equipment and your most important investment. Try to take good care of it and you will make the glove last for many years.
Baseball Gloves: What Cleaning Agents to Avoid Using
There are many times when you need to clean your baseball gloves. You may want to do it before having them re-laced or maybe because they are just really dirty after a long hot summer of use. Well, even though there are many products out there for cleaning baseball equipment, you should be careful what ones you choose to use on your glove.
- Don’t use a saddle conditioner
- Don’t overuse any cleaning agent
- Don’t use dishwashing liquid
1. Don’t use a saddle conditioner.
A saddle conditioner is a product that you would use on your leather boots and belts. It is not specifically designed for cleaning baseball equipment, and it can actually dry up the leather and cause cracking in the short run and even in the long term.
Using this product in your glove will make it stiff when you take it out of your hand.
2. Don’t overuse any cleaning agents.
There are many different types of cleaners out there to use on your glove, but you should always make sure that you aren’t using more than is necessary. Using too much soap or conditioner can dry the leather up and cause it to crack as well as make it stiff when you put it into your hand.
3. Don’t use dishwashing liquid.
Dishwashing liquid is meant to cut through grease and oils, but the problem with this is that there’s no way for you to tell how much of those oils might be left on your glove after you clean it out. Using too much dishwashing soap will leave a sticky, oily residue on your glove which will not be good to use.
Instead of dishwashing liquid you should find a product specifically made for cleaning baseball equipment. Although, even this isn’t necessary if your glove is only slightly dirty. You can get away with using just water and perhaps some soap or conditioner.
Other Baseball Gloves Care Tips You Must Know
There are several other baseball glove care tips you must know about to keep your gloves in shape.
1. Cleaning Your Glove
Just as you would clean your other washable items, so should you attempt to clean your baseball gloves. Soak up all the dirt off your mitt with a clean rag or even better with some compressed air so that the water does not dry inside of them. Allow for ample drying time before attempting to store them.
2. Hanging Your Glove
You should hang your baseball glove so that it can dry out completely preventing mold, mildew and bacteria from growing. The best way is to use a hanger where the leather part faces downwards so gravity can do its job properly. You should also clean your glove after using it to prevent the growth of bacteria.
3. Using Glove Oil or Conditioner
You should use a glove oil or conditioner to assist in treating your gloves and prevent them from drying out. Look at the care instructions on your specific glove brand for details on how often to oil it with products, which ones are best suited for this purpose and what frequency of use is recommended.
4. Preventing Tears and Rips
In order to prevent tears from happening or from getting bigger you should not catch balls with your bare hands, but only with the glove. Also, do not overwork since it can get worn out faster this way. In addition, always tighten your laces evenly, your glove should fit well and should not be too tight or too loose. Always dry your glove before putting it away to prevent mold from growing.
5. Maintaining Gloves with Open Mesh again.
If you have a model with an open mesh palm, avoid getting the palm wet because this will cause a soggy mess that will take a while to dry out. Instead, apply a glove conditioner to the leather parts of your glove and wipe off any excess with a clean rag before storing it.
6. What if My Glove is Stiff?
If your glove feels stiff you can use a light conditioner on it after it has dried out to soften the leather again. You can also leave it in your car for a few hours or days with the windows rolled up, so that the sunlight warms up the leather and reduces stiffness.
7. What if My Glove is Dry?
If your glove feels dry you only need to apply some petroleum jelly on its surface after removing all laces to give it some shine. Then, apply a light glove oil to make it supple again.
8. What if My Glove is Stinky?
If your glove smells you should not put it in the washing machine or dishwasher since this can damage its structure and ruin the adhesive which keeps parts together. Instead, try applying some baking soda inside the glove, close it up and leave it in a well-ventilated area overnight. In the morning you should remove all baking soda with a clean wet rag from inside the glove which is now smelling fresh again.
9. What If My Glove has Dirt on It?
In case your glove is dusty or dirty simply wipe down its surface with a clean rag. You can also use some water with mild detergent or just soap on the palm, laces and back of your glove. Let it dry out in the shade for about an hour before putting it away.
10. How to Break in a New Glove?
A new baseball mitt is usually stiff when you get it, especially if it’s made of leather. In order to break in a new glove you should spend some time working your pitching hand into the pocket to shape it accurately and avoid having an awkward shape when using it in games. You can also apply some oil or conditioner on the inside of the glove so that you can slide your fingers with ease and avoid cramps.
11. How to Improve Grip and Reduce Hand Fatigue?
Some gloves can be very uncomfortable and cause hand fatigue after a while when they are too thick or when their shape does not fit your hand well enough. In order to improve grip you should put an extra padding inside of the glove which you would use, for example, some bubble wrap or a soft piece of foam rubber that you cut into the shape of your hand.
12. How to Fix Broken Laces?
broken lace in the webbing just replace it with another one if possible and knot its ends closely so that it can hold up well. If this is not an option because your glove’s webbing is too worn-out you should simply take the laces out of your old glove and put them into a new one.
13. How to Fix Sticky Buckles?
If one or more of your glove’s buckles are stuck closed or open, first try removing dust build-up with some silicone spray which you can buy at a home improvement store. If this does not work, soak the buckle in warm water and spray it with silicone lubricant afterwards to free it up.
14. How to Make a Ball Glove Last Longer?
In order for your baseball glove to last longer take care of it when using it by not over-stretching its laces or bending its pocket into an awkward shape. If you notice that your glove is becoming floppy or losing its structure, take it to a professional who can fix it up for you by reinforcing the holes with something like paraffin wax. This will help them maintain their structure and prevent your glove from having any tears in the future.
In order to clean and maintain care for your baseball glove, you should remove any loose dirt and mud with a brush and then apply some detergent and water on it before cleaning it with a wet rag. You can also wipe down your glove’s surface with some glycerin soap if needed, but remember not to get the inside of the glove wet since this will cause it to break down faster.
Finally, take care of your baseball glove by conditioning or oiling its surface so that you can maintain the suppleness of its leather and prevent cracking over time. By doing all these, you can increase the lifespan of your glove and take good care of it so that you can continue using it for a long time.
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