When we talk about leather gloves we already know what to expect from them. They are absolutely stylish, and practical at the same time.
The fact that they are made from leather, which is one of the most reliable materials there is, itself makes them very desirable.
Especially if the leather gloves are made from high-end full-grain leather, you can expect them to be highly durable.
Even then if you are wondering how long a pair of leather gloves will last you, well that completely depends on your usage and how well you look after them. There is a chance that the gloves might wear out sooner than you would like, leading you to replace them with a new pair. Or they can last you for years to come.
In order for you to get the most out of your leather gloves there are certain routine measures that you need to adopt for them to give you exceptional longevity.
In this article, I have covered all the important aspects of caring for your beloved leather gloves.
Look out for these signs on your leather gloves that can reduce their durability
Every product you own will show some signs indicating that it is time you either replace it or fix it so you can use it longer.
Similarly, for leather gloves, you should look out for the signs that I have mentioned below so you know what you have to do next.
1.) Drying out of your leather gloves
It is quite natural for leather gloves to dry out over a period of time if they are not being cared for the right way or worse if they are left uncared for completely.
Leather as a material needs frequent looking after to avoid hampering its durability. There are natural essential oils and nutrients in leather that play a vital role in keeping the material healthy.
Once these are washed off the leather will start to dry out, making the texture rough with visible cracks, which is definitely not a pretty sight.
Several fibers make up leather gloves, which rub against each other when you wear them constantly without proper care, and that further leads to them drying out.
They need to breathe periodically, plus require moisture to continue being healthy, hence, you need to service them well after each wear.
2.) Mould growth and rotting of your leather gloves
There is a chance of mould growing in your leather gloves if you store them in a place that is damp and has no proper ventilation.
Furthermore, they can even rot for the same reason. When you wear your leather gloves you are exposing them to all kinds of weather conditions.
This leads to moisture, and oil that is rancid being trapped inside the gloves, causing them to rot and make room for mold to grow, plus they will start to smell foul.
Sometimes even over conditioning them can lead to this disaster. Therefore, for leather gloves to look young and fresh they need to breathe and be stored in a dry place.
3.) Damage from chemicals
Your leather gloves can be damaged by chemicals too, let me explain how. If you expose them to the sun or it gets direct heat for a prolonged period and also, if you wash them with hot water along with the incorrect detergent or cleaner, then that is how they can get ruined.
Hence, you need to be sure of the right kind of cleaner to use on them for cleaning.
Things you should do and not do to prevent your leather gloves from dying quickly
Now, you know how you can damage or cause harm to your precious leather gloves. Let me give you a few pointers that will help you keep your leather gloves away from dying sooner than they should.
1.) Try and reduce exposing your leather gloves to the sun for an extended period of time.
2.) If they do get exposed to the sun for a prolonged period as it was unavoidable, then take necessary measures to nourish them soon after exposure.
3.) It is best to not wash leather gloves in hot water as it does not suit the material.
4.) Instead you should take a damp and warm cloth to wipe the leather gloves thoroughly after each wear.
5.) You should not throw your leather gloves into the washing machine for a wash.
6.) Do not blow-dry your leather gloves, instead, let them air dry naturally.
7.) Do not let the leather gloves come in contact with direct heat.
8.) While it is safe to give other types of material for dry cleaning, the same does not apply to leather gloves as it will ruin them if dry cleaned.
9.) In order to avoid letting mould grow and rot your leather gloves, you should not let them get wet in the rain or for that matter do not soak them in water.
10.) Avoid using detergent and cleaner that is not meant for cleaning leather gloves.
11.) Keep your leather gloves away from abrasive chemicals.
12.) Alcohol can wreck your leather gloves, so steer clear of it when wearing leather gloves to minimize the chances of spilling on them.
13.) Do not store the leather gloves in a damp place with no ventilation.
14.) Store your leather gloves in a cool place where there is no direct sunlight and has sufficient ventilation.
Steps on caring for your leather gloves to increase their durability or lifespan
This part of the article covers the different ways you can care for your leather gloves and clean them so you do not have to part ways with them just yet!
In my experience, I have come to realize that a lot of people are still not aware of the right methods to maintain leather gloves.
You spend good money on them so why not understand and learn the correct steps to increase its durability or lifespan.
1.) Once you buy leather gloves, the first step should be to treat them with waterproof wax that is meant specifically for leather. This will help keep harmful elements at bay and protect your leather gloves against them, which in turn will increase their durability.
Be mindful of the fact that such waxes normally make the leather darker, so you should be mentally prepared for that to happen. There are many reputed brands in the market that you can pick from for your wax.
2.) You should avoid using cleaners that contain harsh chemicals as they will ruin your leather gloves completely by removing all their natural oils.
This will only lead to your gloves getting dry and cracks. Whenever you have to clean your leather gloves, you should use mild soap or saddle soap.
3.) When your leather gloves get dirt, grime, scratches, scuff marks, abrasions, etc., it is time to give them a good cleaning treatment. There are various ways to do this by using easily available household items.
You can use vinegar and water to get rid of stains. This followed by wiping off the entire glove using a damp cloth and a mild soap. Always allow your gloves to dry naturally instead of using a heater or blow dryer for this purpose. Vinegar can be replaced with alcohol with the same steps.
4.) Make it a point to clean and wash your leather gloves at least once or twice if you have worn them around 30 to 40 times. You do not have to wash or clean them after every use because doing so can also reduce their durability.
5.) You need to make sure to clean the insides of the gloves as well because that is where odor remains unless cleaned.
To do this you should turn the gloves inside out and spray a mixture of vinegar and water. Then leave the gloves like that for about 20 minutes before patting them dry with a clean cloth.
Follow this by letting them dry naturally, after which you can turn them back to their right side. Vinegar can be replaced with alcohol with the same steps.
6.) In the case of your leather gloves losing their smooth texture or they have gotten creased, then you can apply a leather conditioner to make them supple again.
7.) Never wring out your leather gloves to get rid of water because it will ruin their original shape and smoothness. Simply use some cold clean water to remove the soap from them and let the water drip out on its own by letting them dry naturally.
8.) Unless your leather gloves are extremely dirty you do not have to clean them with the above steps unnecessarily. Doing so will minimize its lifespan as all its natural oils will be soaked dry.
9.) One of the best ways is still using leather specific conditioners to protect them from early damage, dirt, grime, mud, water, etc.
Such conditioners will aid in keeping your leather gloves young, healthy, strong, fresh, and nourished for a long period of time.
10.) When you have bought a pair of leather gloves, you should make it a point to use them enough to let them breathe and stretch because even keeping them locked up will reduce their durability, which is not what you want.
It is good to let the gloves stretch to fit you well which also helps to keep them flexible and strong for a long time.
Wrapping up
Leather is like our skin, which is something I repeatedly mention in my articles so that you understand that they need special care and attention in order to be able to serve you well for several years to come.
They will definitely last for years when made from high quality but even then with a little extra care and love, they can even outlast you! Follow our tips and give your leather gloves the attention they deserve.
