Nothing beats the look, feel and smell of a new pair of boxing gloves. Premium boxing gloves are an investment and by not maintaining them, you are shortening their life span.
Like most things in life, prevention is the best cause of action. So to avoid your boxing gloves from becoming smelly in the first place, and the likelihood of suffering from a skin irritation or infection, simply follow the below advice.
Why boxing gloves smell
We all carry bacteria on our hands and when they are placed inside a pair of boxing gloves, the bacteria gets transferred inside. As there is no airflow inside your glove, the bacteria feed off your sweat and flourish in the moisture filled hot-box, creating the bad odour.
How to clean boxing gloves
Throwing your boxing gloves into your gym bag and leaving them there overnight, will guarantee that they will become smelly in no time. After each training session wipe the inside and outside of your boxing gloves with a clean towel/cloth, and leave them out to dry in a well-lit, ventilated area.
It is also highly recommended that you periodically sanitize and disinfect your boxing gloves using a cleaning solution to give them the best chance of keeping odour free and clean. While there are specific equipment cleaning products available, you can also use home solutions such as half-and-half vinegar and water, or apple cider vinegar.
- Lightly spray the outside and inside of your boxing gloves with 50/50 vinegar and water or apple cider vinegar
- Wipe them down with a clean towel to remove dirt, sweat and any cleaning solution
- Fold back the wrist straps and lay or hang your gloves out to dry in a well-lit, ventilated area
Ways to prevent bad odours
Other ways to prevent your boxing gloves from becoming smelly is to always wear hand wraps. Not only do they protect your hands, they will absorb the moisture from within your boxing gloves during training. After wiping down your boxing gloves, place glove deodorisers inside to help absorb any residing moisture. You can also use a disinfectant equipment spray that can provide an additional layer of defense against bacteria and bad odours.
What not to do
- DO NOT put your boxing gloves in the washing machine or clothes dryer
- DO NOT leave your boxing gloves in your gym bag after training as they will not dry
- DO NOT use harsh cleaning sprays as they can damage the glove and cause skin reaction
