After each time you use your baseball gloves, they will get dirtier over time. Dirt combined with sweat from your hands due to hot weather really creates a mess with an unpleasant smell inside them.
This mix of sweat can damage the leather and shorten the life of your gloves. That is why cleaning them regularly is essential.
There are ways to clean these gloves, and some people might suggest you toss them in a dishwasher. But is that safe? Keep reading to find out, “Can you put a baseball glove in the dishwasher?”
Can You Put a Baseball Glove in the Dishwasher?
Fortunately, the answer is Yes. You can wash baseball gloves in the dishwasher. However, we still recommend cleaning them by hand if possible.
Here are the basic steps to clean baseball gloves with the dishwasher.
Step 1: Put your gloves in one dishwasher-safe container. After that, pour hot water into it.
Step 2: Add a mild detergent to the container and leave your gloves to soak for several minutes.
Step 3: Set your dishwasher to the highest setting and run it. Leave your gloves inside it until the washing process is complete.
Step 4: Remove your gloves from the dishwasher. Then hang them until they are totally dry.
How Do You Clean a Baseball Glove The Right Way?
As mentioned above, washing baseball gloves with the dishwasher is okay, but cleaning them by hand is better. It can take time and effort, but it’s worth it.
Step 1: Gather the Necessary Things
- Cool water
- Warm water
- Four clean rags
- Screwdriver or similar tool
- Leather conditioner or glove oil
- Mild soap (using leather soap is okay)
Step 2: Wipe Your Baseball Gloves Down
Start by using a clean, dry cloth to clean the inside of your baseball gloves. That way, you can remove all excess moisture, dirt, and grime from the surface.
Shake your glove to ensure all the dirt in the fingers falls out. Place the rag on a screwdriver, chopstick, or similar tool, and thread it through each finger slot.
Step 3: Use Gentle Soap To Clean Your Gloves
Prioritize mild soaps and avoid ones with scents or specific antibacterial properties, as it is simply not necessary with this process.
Add a few drops of soap to a bowl of warm water and stir to form a solution. Dip another clean rag in the solution and wring it out to almost remove the liquid.
Using that rag to rub the inside of your glove. Again, use a screwdriver to clean each finger slot.
Step 4: Rinse Your Gloves
Prepare a bowl of cool water. Dip a third rag in it and wring it out. Apply the same operations in step three to clean the soap.
Step 5: Dry Your Baseball Glove
This step is very important because any moisture left inside the glove will lead to mold or shrinkage.
Use the remaining rag to dry the glove as much as possible. Then, put it in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Step 6: Oil Your Baseball Glove
The main goal of this step is to keep the leather soft and supple.
There are several oils and lotions specifically designed for baseball gloves, and they don’t leave a greasy, slippery residue.
You should use a spray bottle to apply the oil to your gloves. It helps you avoid using too much oil and allows you to reach every nook and cranny of the glove.
FAQs
How Do You Get Mold Out of a Baseball Glove?
You can use a vacuum, a clean nylon brush, soap, and alcohol to remove mold from leather-finished goods, including baseball gloves.
How Long Should Your Baseball Glove Last?
Baseball gloves can last a decade or more if they receive proper care and maintenance.
Can You Put Baseball Gloves in the Washing Machine?
You should not put your baseball glove in the dishwasher as it will damage the structure of the glove.
Is a Baseball Glove Ruined if It Gets Wet?
It will be okay if you quickly dry your gloves. If not handled in time, it can lead to mold and many other consequences.
How Do You Clean a Smelly Baseball Glove?
Apply six steps of our guide, and your gloves say goodbye to unpleasant odors.
Conclusion
By the end of the article, you should know how to clean baseball gloves properly.
Can you put a baseball glove in the dishwasher? Yes, you can, but it will be better to wash them by hand, as we mentioned.
Now we want to hear from you. Do you have a more effective way to clean baseball gloves? Please let us know!