How to Care for Leather Gloves: Cleaning, Drying and Storing

Good leather gloves can last ten winters or more, and the difference between a pair that does and one that cracks after two seasons is almost entirely care. Knowing how to care for leather gloves takes a few minutes a season — the most important part is simply what you do when they get wet.

This guide covers everyday care, cleaning, conditioning, drying after rain and storage, with a note on suede. More in our European Style guides.

Let wet gloves dry naturally, flat and away from heat, then condition them. Store them flat in a breathable bag. Heat and neglect crack leather far faster than wear does.

Everyday Care

Take gloves off by pulling gently at each fingertip in turn, rather than tugging at the cuff, which stretches the wrist. Smooth them flat when you take them off so they do not dry in a crumpled shape.

Keep them away from hand cream and perfume until your hands are dry — oils and alcohol mark leather.

Cleaning

For everyday dirt, wipe the gloves with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then let them dry naturally. For marks, a small amount of leather cleaner on a cloth works on most smooth leathers; test it on the inside of the cuff first.

Some leather gloves are labelled washable. Follow the label exactly if so; if not, do not wash them.

Do not put leather gloves in the washing machine unless the label says they are washable. Water and agitation can shrink, stiffen and discolour them permanently.

Conditioning

Leather is a skin, and it dries out over time. Conditioning once or twice a season — and after any time the gloves get wet — keeps it soft and stops it cracking. Use a small amount of leather conditioner on a soft cloth, work it in gently, and wipe off any excess.

A dry, dull brown leather glove with creases at the knuckles. The same leather glove after conditioning, supple with a soft sheen. Condition gloves at the start of winter and again when you put them away in spring. It takes five minutes and doubles how long they last.

Drying After Rain

  1. Blot off surface water gently with a towel.
  2. Reshape the gloves by hand, fingers straight.
  3. Lay them flat on a towel, away from radiators, fires and direct sun.
  4. Let them dry completely, which can take a day.
  5. Once dry, flex the fingers gently and apply conditioner.
Never dry leather gloves on a radiator or with a hairdryer. The leather shrinks and hardens, and that damage cannot be reversed.

Suede Gloves

Suede needs different care. Use a suede brush to lift the nap and remove dirt, and a suede eraser for marks. Avoid liquid conditioner, which flattens and darkens suede; use a protective spray made for suede instead. Keep suede out of heavy rain where you can.

Storage

  • Clean and condition before storing for the summer
  • Store flat, not rolled or folded tightly
  • Use a breathable cotton bag, never plastic
  • Keep them somewhere cool and dry, out of sunlight
  • Keep pairs together so they are not stretched by other items

Fit Matters for Care Too

A glove that is too tight strains the seams every time you put it on; one too loose creases badly. Leather also stretches slightly to the hand with wear, so a good pair should feel snug when new. The glove size calculator works from a hand measurement, and how a glove should fit explains the snug-at-first rule.

For the styles and how they are sized, see glove types and sizing. Leather gloves are one of the winter accessories worth investing in, and worn most days for years their cost per wear is very low — the cost per wear calculator shows it. The same care principles apply to shoes: see how French women buy shoes. And for a trip, what to wear in Europe in winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I clean leather gloves?

Wipe them with a soft, slightly damp cloth, and use a small amount of leather cleaner on marks, testing inside the cuff first. Do not machine-wash them unless the label says so.

How do I dry wet leather gloves?

Blot off the water, reshape them, and lay them flat to dry naturally away from heat. Condition them once dry.

How often should I condition leather gloves?

Once or twice a season, and after any time they get wet.

How do I store leather gloves?

Clean and condition them, then store them flat in a breathable cotton bag somewhere cool and dry.

How do I care for suede gloves?

Brush them with a suede brush, use a suede eraser for marks, and protect them with a suede spray. Avoid liquid conditioner.

For background on the material, see leather and suede.