How to Wash Gloves and Mittens Without Damaging Them

The safest way to wash gloves depends on what they are made from, not whether they have fingers. Wool, acrylic knit, fleece, leather and waterproof winter gloves all need different care.

Start with the care label. Follow its washing and drying instructions before general advice. If the label is missing or unreadable, use the gentlest method suitable for the material. Do not assume hand washing is safe for leather, suede, fixed linings or mixed-material gloves; surface clean or ask the manufacturer when unsure.

Quick Answer: How Should You Wash Gloves?

Choose a method by material, then check the glove's care label.

Glove material	Safest cleaning method	Machine wash?	Drying method
Wool or cashmere knit	Wool-safe detergent in lukewarm water, if washable	Only when the care label allows a wool cycle	Reshape and dry flat
Acrylic or cotton knit	Gentle detergent; use a mesh bag if machine washing	Usually, if the care label allows it	Reshape and air dry
Fleece or synthetic liner	Gentle cycle with a small amount of detergent, if permitted	Usually, if permitted by the label	Air dry or follow the label
Waterproof or ski gloves	Follow the manufacturer; gentle hand washing only if suitable for all components	Only when explicitly allowed	Air dry away from direct heat
Leather or suede	Surface clean with a product suitable for that leather or suede	No, unless the manufacturer specifically says otherwise	Air dry naturally
Gloves with removable liners	Wash the liner separately according to its material	Depends on the liner	Dry both pieces fully before reassembly

Do not use fabric softener on waterproof membranes or performance fleece. Do not wring wet gloves, place them on a radiator or assume that all winter gloves can use the same cycle.

Before You Wash Any Pair of Gloves

1. Read the care label and identify the main material.
2. Check whether the palm, trim or lining uses a second material such as leather.
3. Remove detachable liners and wash them separately.
4. Shake out grit from the fingers and inner chambers.
5. Fasten hook-and-loop straps and close zippers so they do not catch.
6. Spot-test cleaners on a hidden area when color transfer is possible.
7. Wash both gloves together so their color and appearance remain consistent.

If the outer shell and lining require different care, follow the instruction for the most sensitive non-removable component.

How to Wash Knit Gloves and Fingerless Gloves

"Knitted" describes how the fabric is made, not what fiber it contains. Check whether the gloves are wool, cashmere, acrylic, cotton or a blend before choosing a method.

Wool and Cashmere Gloves

For gloves whose label permits hand washing:

1. Fill a basin with lukewarm water, about 30 degrees C / 86 degrees F unless the care label states otherwise.
2. Add a small amount of wool-safe or neutral mild detergent.
3. Submerge the gloves and press them gently through the water. Do not scrub, twist or stretch the fingers.
4. Let them soak for up to 10 minutes, unless the care instructions specify otherwise.
5. Rinse gently without exposing the gloves to a sudden temperature change.
6. Press out water without wringing.
7. Roll the gloves in a clean towel and press to absorb additional moisture.
8. Reshape each finger and lay the gloves flat on a dry towel.

Some wool gloves can use a wool cycle, but only when the care label allows machine washing. Woolmark's wool washing guidance recommends a dedicated wool or suitable delicate cycle and flat drying for washable wool.

For a deeper explanation of felting, detergent choice and drying, see our guide to washing wool sweaters.

Acrylic, Cotton and Blended Knit Gloves

If the label permits machine washing:

1. Place the pair in a zippered mesh laundry bag.
2. Use a gentle or delicate cycle with cool or lukewarm water as the label directs.
3. Add a small amount of mild detergent.
4. Use a low spin setting when available and permitted.
5. Remove the gloves promptly, reshape them and air dry.

Hand washing may be gentler for washable loose knits or gloves that already feel stretched. Decorative stitching and glued details can require surface cleaning instead; follow their care instructions.

What About Fingerless Gloves?

Fingerless gloves follow the same rules as full gloves made from the same fiber. Their open ends can stretch during washing, so reshape the cuff and each finger opening while the fabric is damp.

How to Wash Waterproof Winter and Ski Gloves

Waterproof gloves may combine a face fabric, membrane, insulation, leather palm and removable liner. Because those materials react differently, there is no universal machine setting that is safe for every pair.

Use the manufacturer's instructions whenever possible. GORE-TEX's glove care instructions recommend hand washing in lukewarm water with a small amount of liquid detergent and advise against machine washing. Rab's glove washing guide allows selected gloves to be machine washed according to the label, but advises against tumble drying. These are product-specific instructions, not interchangeable rules.

When instructions are unavailable and all non-removable components are suitable for gentle hand washing, use this cautious method. For leather palms, suede or an uncertain construction, surface clean or ask the manufacturer instead.

1. Remove detachable liners.
2. Shake dirt from the fingers and brush off dried surface soil.
3. Hand wash in lukewarm water with a small amount of mild liquid detergent or a compatible cleaner intended for technical outerwear.
4. Do not use bleach or fabric softener.
5. Rinse thoroughly so detergent does not remain in the shell or lining.
6. Press water gently from the fingers toward the cuff without wringing.
7. Air dry away from radiators, hair dryers and direct sunlight.
8. Put the gloves on briefly when partly dry and make a fist to restore their shape, if the construction allows it.

Do not automatically turn insulated gloves fully inside out; fixed linings can be difficult to return to position and may tear.

When Should You Reapply DWR?

DWR is the water-repellent finish on the outer fabric. It does not create the waterproof membrane, but it helps water bead and roll off instead of soaking the surface.

If water no longer beads after cleaning, check whether the glove manufacturer permits a compatible spray-on treatment. Apply it to damp or dry fabric as that product directs: Rab, for example, describes treatment while damp. Do not apply a universal amount or heat setting, and use only a leather-compatible treatment on leather components.

Cleaning gloves is easiest as part of a seasonal routine. Use our winter gear cleaning checklist before storage.

How to Wash Fleece and Synthetic Gloves

Many fleece and synthetic liner gloves can be machine washed, but the care label still decides. Consult the item's instructions and The North Face's product care guidance for brand-specific care rather than assuming every textile glove is washable.

1. Place small gloves in a mesh bag.
2. Select a gentle or synthetic cycle if permitted.
3. Use cool or lukewarm water as the label directs and a small amount of detergent.
4. Skip fabric softener, which can leave a coating on performance fibers.
5. Reshape and air dry unless the label specifically permits tumble drying.

Wash fleece separately from lint-producing cotton towels when possible. This reduces loose fibers sticking to the surface.

How to Clean Leather and Suede Gloves

Do not submerge or machine wash leather and suede gloves unless the manufacturer explicitly provides a washable-leather method.

For ordinary surface dirt:

1. Brush or wipe away dry dirt.
2. Test a cleaner specifically suitable for the leather or suede on a hidden area.
3. Apply the product sparingly with a soft cloth or the applicator its instructions specify.
4. Remove residue according to the product instructions.
5. Let the gloves air dry naturally while keeping their shape.
6. For leather, apply a compatible conditioner only if recommended by the glove manufacturer. Do not apply ordinary leather conditioner to suede.

Leather palms attached to a textile glove make the entire glove more sensitive. Treat the leather as the limiting material instead of following the washing instructions for the fabric alone.

How to Dry Gloves Without Stretching or Stiffening Them

• Press water out with a towel; never wring the fingers.
• Reshape the glove while it is damp.
• Dry wool and loose knit gloves flat.
• Keep leather and waterproof gloves away from radiators, hair dryers and direct sunlight.
• Do not hang heavy wet knit gloves by the fingertips.
• Allow thick insulation and removable liners to dry completely before putting them back together.
• Use a tumble dryer only when the care label or manufacturer allows it.

Direct heat may shrink wool, stiffen leather, distort synthetic components or damage adhesives. Faster is not better if the drying method changes the fit.

How to Freshen Gloves Without Washing Them

Not every odor requires a full wash.

• Air gloves after use instead of leaving them compressed in a pocket or bag.
• Remove and air detachable liners separately.
• Let damp gloves dry fully before storage.
• Brush away dry soil before it becomes embedded.
• Use only deodorizing products approved for the glove material.

Avoid spraying perfume into thick or waterproof gloves. Fragrance can mask odor without removing the moisture or residue causing it.

How Often Should You Wash Gloves?

Wash based on condition, not a rigid calendar.

Clean the gloves when they are visibly dirty, retain odor after airing or have been exposed to sweat, salt or grime. Wool often needs less frequent washing than synthetic liners. Waterproof and leather gloves benefit from prompt surface cleaning and thorough drying after wet use.

Frequent unnecessary washing increases wear, so airing and spot cleaning should be the first step when the gloves are otherwise clean.

FAQ: How to Wash Gloves and Mittens

Can knitted gloves go in the washing machine?

Only when the care label allows it. Acrylic and cotton knits are often machine washable in a mesh bag on a gentle cycle. Wool and cashmere need a wool cycle or hand washing, depending on the label.

What is the best way to clean knitted fingerless gloves?

Identify the fiber first. Hand wash washable wool or cashmere gently and dry flat. Acrylic or cotton fingerless gloves may use a delicate machine cycle if their care label permits it. Reshape the open finger edges while damp.

How should I clean waterproof winter gloves?

Follow the glove manufacturer. When instructions are unavailable and all components are suitable for hand washing, wash gently in lukewarm water with a small amount of compatible liquid or technical cleaner, rinse thoroughly and air dry away from direct heat. For leather palms or uncertain materials, surface clean or ask the manufacturer rather than submerging them.

Can gloves and mittens go in the dryer?

Only when the care label specifically allows tumble drying. Wool, leather and many waterproof gloves should be air dried. Do not use a radiator or hair dryer as a shortcut.

How do I stop gloves from losing their shape?

Do not wring them. Press out water in a towel, reshape each finger while damp and use the drying position recommended for the material. Dry loose knit gloves flat.

Can I wash gloves with a leather palm?

Treat the leather as the most sensitive component. Unless the manufacturer says the whole glove is washable, surface clean it instead of using an ordinary machine cycle.

Final Takeaway

The care label and material matter more than the word "gloves." Washable wool needs low agitation and flat drying. Washable acrylic and fleece can usually tolerate a gentle cycle. Waterproof gloves need manufacturer-specific care, and leather should not be submerged by default.

When you are unsure, choose the least aggressive method suitable for every component. Surface clean uncertain leather or mixed constructions; use lukewarm hand washing only for washable materials, avoid wringing and dry away from direct heat.