How to Clean Leather Gloves: Dress, Driving and Work Pairs

To clean leather gloves, put one on, spot test a hidden patch, then wipe the glove with a damp (not dripping) cloth, adding a very small drop of mild detergent or soap flakes in lukewarm water only for greasy marks. Blot off the moisture and let the gloves dry flat at room temperature, away from heaters and sun. Heavily soiled pairs are better off with a specialist leather cleaner.

This is the core method for any smooth leather glove, based on a glove maker's care guide. Our leather care and cleaning guide covers the rest of your leather.

First, check what kind of gloves you have

Then judge the dirt. Home cleaning suits light soiling that hasn't dried in; heavy soiling goes to a specialist.

What you need

• 2 clean, soft cloths or a soft sponge
• Lukewarm water
• Mild detergent or soap flakes, not liquid soap
• A clean towel to dry on
• A soft brush for work gloves
• Leather conditioner, a small dab

How to clean leather gloves in 7 steps

1. Put one glove on. Your hand fills the glove, so you can reach dirt in the seams.
2. Spot test. Wipe a small hidden patch, such as inside the cuff, with a damp cloth and check for color on the cloth.
3. Wipe with water. Use a damp, not dripping, cloth and wipe gently; rubbing hard can fade the color.
4. Add a tiny drop of soap for grease. Mix a very small drop of mild detergent or soap flakes in lukewarm water, test again, then wipe.
5. Blot dry. Dab off the extra moisture with a clean dry cloth. Don't wring the gloves.
6. Dry flat at room temperature. Lay the gloves on a clean towel, away from radiators, heaters, the dryer, direct sun and air conditioning. Don't dry them on other clothes, since dye can stain them.
7. Reshape, then condition. Put the gloves on a few times as they dry and flex your hands; drying takes a few hours. Once dry, work in a small dab of conditioner.

If a pair stays stiff afterward, see how to soften leather gloves.

Work and garden gloves

Dirt and sweat dry into work gloves, harden them and soil the inside, so clean them whenever they get dirty. Let muddy gloves dry first, then brush off as much dirt as you can with a soft brush before any cloth touches them. Then follow steps 3 to 7.

Never soak work gloves or put them in the washing machine, which can leave them dry, cracked and misshapen. Whether a machine is ever an option is covered in can you machine-wash leather gloves?

Saddle soap: sources disagree

We don't settle this for you. On dress and driving gloves, the mild-soap method above avoids the question. If you use saddle soap on rough work gloves, test it on a hidden spot first.

Mistakes that ruin leather gloves

• Washing or soaking them. Glove makers and home guides both advise against it.
• Very hot water.
• Wringing them out.
• Heat to speed up drying. Radiators, heaters, dryers and sun can cause discoloration, hardening, cracks and shrinkage. See can you put leather in the dryer?
• Cleaning too often.

Quick answers

What is the best cleaner for leather gloves?

Start with plain water on a damp cloth, then a very small drop of mild detergent or soap flakes. Some specialist leather cleaners suit gloves; read the label and use one only if it fits your leather.

Is Dawn dish soap safe on leather gloves?

The glove maker we checked advises against liquid soap and suggests soap flakes or mild detergent instead. We found no primary source testing Dawn on leather.

How do you make leather gloves look new again?

Clean them, reshape them on your hands while they dry, and work in a little conditioner. Leather also softens over the first few wears.

What happens if leather gloves get wet?

Blot them, dry them flat at room temperature and flex them while they dry. More in can water ruin leather?

Shopping for a new pair? The Leather Collection men's leather gloves range uses lambskin and cowhide.