# How to Wash Motorcycle Gloves Without Damaging Them

> Leather gloves: hand wash + Nikwax Leather Restorer. Textile/mesh: machine 30 °C (86 °F) bag. EN 13594, Dainese, Alpinestars, Nikwax.

**Published :** 2026-05-12

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**Résumé :** **In short:** **leather** motorcycle gloves are
hand-washed with a damp cloth + mild soap, then conditioned with a leather
restorer (Nikwax Leather Restorer). **Textile/mesh** gloves
without leather reinforcement can go in the machine at 30 °C (86 °F) in a
laundry bag. **Mixed** gloves are treated as leather. Never
tumble dry, never on a radiator.

## At a glance

- **Leather gloves** -- microfibre cloth + warm water + mild soap, no immersion, flat dry 24-48 h, leather care after drying.
- **Textile/mesh gloves** -- machine 30 °C (86 °F) in laundry bag, synthetic cycle, low spin, air dry.
- **Mixed (leather + textile) gloves** -- leather protocol, never machine. Leather dictates the protocol.
- **Post-crash** -- inspect seams and protections. If compromised, mandatory replacement (EN 13594).
- **Drying** -- air dry 24-48 h, crumpled newspaper to absorb internal moisture. Never radiator or tumble dry.

## Material → protocol

| Material | Method | Post-treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Leather (full-grain, kangaroo) racing | Damp microfibre + warm water + mild soap, no immersion | Nikwax Leather Restorer or Dainese Protein |
| Leather + textile mixed | Leather protocol (same) | Leather care on leather zones only |
| Pure textile (cordura, polyester) | Machine 30 °C (86 °F) in bag, synthetic cycle | Air dry, optional DWR spray |
| Summer mesh (mesh + textile) | Machine 30 °C (86 °F) in bag, synthetic cycle | Air dry |
| Heated electric gloves | Surface only (damp cloth), NEVER immerse | Manufacturer manual required |

> Heated gloves (Held, Klan-e, Macna, Capit) have internal electric resistors.
> No immersion possible. Follow the manufacturer's manual exclusively --
> generally damp cloth surface only.

## Leather step-by-step

### 1. Inspection

Inspect: localised stains (insects, road tar, sap), undone seams, displaced protections. If a protection (palm, fingers, knuckles) is cracked or moves abnormally, **replace the gloves** -- safety trumps cleaning.

### 2. Gentle cleaning

On a microfibre cloth, add a few drops of **mild soap** (liquid Marseille soap, glycerine soap, or specific leather soap). Wring the cloth to be just damp, never soaked. Wipe the outside in circular motions, focusing on stained zones (palm, fingers, back).

For the **inside**: pass a well-wrung damp cloth, no soaking the lining. Never wring the gloves.

### 3. Drying

**Flat**, in a ventilated, tempered room (18-22 °C / 64-72 °F), away from direct sun. Insert **crumpled newspaper** into each finger and the palm to absorb internal moisture and maintain shape. Allow **24-48 hours**.

**Banned**: radiator, hairdryer, tumble dryer, direct sun. Dry heat causes leather shrinkage and cracking.

### 4. Leather conditioning

Once the gloves are **fully dry**, apply a technical leather care in a thin layer: Nikwax Leather Restorer (waterproofing), Dainese Protein, Alpinestars Conditioner, or equivalent. Let absorb 5-10 minutes, then wipe excess with a clean cloth.

**Avoid**: classic shoe leather greases (too oily), neatsfoot oil (darkens light leather), silicone products (clog pores).

## Textile/mesh step-by-step

### 1. Preparation

Close Velcro straps inside the glove (prevents catching the drum). Turn gloves inside out if possible. Place in a **mesh laundry bag** to prevent deformation or catching.

### 2. Machine wash

- **Temperature**: 30 °C (86 °F) (follow label if lower)
- **Programme**: synthetic or delicate
- **Spin**: low (400-600 rpm)
- **Detergent**: mild liquid, never fabric softener

You can **group** with other textile motorcycle gear (jacket, trousers, neck warmer) to optimise the 18 kg laundromat cycle.

### 3. Drying

Remove from the bag, reshape, **air dry** flat or hanging by the cuffs. No tumble dry (even low heat) to avoid deforming internal protections or unsticking adhesive bands.

## End-of-life criteria

- 🧤 **Cracked or stiff leather** — Leather unconditioned for years becomes brittle. **Fold test**: if the palm cracks or shows white at the fold, the leather is end-of-life.
- 🛡️ **Compromised protections** — Cracked knuckle shell, displaced palm, deformed internal foam. **Mandatory replacement** per EN 13594.
- 🪡 **Undone seams** — A seam giving way on the palm or between fingers compromises abrasion resistance in a crash. **Replace**.
- 📅 **Age and UV** — Leather ages even unused. Beyond **5-7 years**, inspect frequently and consider replacement if usage is intensive.

## Common mistakes

> **Warning:**
> - **Soaking leather gloves in soapy water** -- immersion permanently dries the fibre. Always damp wrung cloth.
> - **Drying with hairdryer or on radiator** -- causes leather shrinkage and cracking. Air dry 24-48 h.
> - **Machine washing mixed leather + textile gloves** -- even if mostly textile, leather dictates the protocol.
> - **Using generic shoe leather grease** -- too oily, weighs down the gloves and impairs grip. Technical motorcycle care only.
> - **Reusing after a crash without careful inspection** -- seams and protections may be compromised without visible sign. Inspect each piece.

> **Read also**: [wash a textile motorcycle jacket](/en/blog/wash-motorcycle-textile-jacket/index.md), [remove tar and grease stains](/en/blog/remove-grease-tar-stain/index.md).