Snowboard gloves take a beating every season. They soak up snow, sweat, and grime on every run. After a few trips down the mountain, they start to smell. Worse, they can lose their waterproofing and warmth.
The good news is that cleaning snowboard gloves is not hard. You just need to do it the right way. Wash them wrong and you risk shrinking the fabric, cracking the leather, or ruining the waterproof membrane inside.
This guide walks you through the safest ways to clean your gloves, keep them smelling fresh, and make them last for many more seasons.
Why Cleaning Snowboard Gloves Properly Matters
Snowboard gloves are not like regular gloves. Most have several layers built for warmth and weather protection. You might have an outer shell, an insulating layer, and a waterproof membrane like Gore-Tex.
If you throw them in the washing machine on a hot cycle, you can damage all of that. Heat breaks down waterproof coatings. Harsh detergent strips away the water repellent finish. Over time, this leaves your hands cold and wet on the mountain, which is the last thing any rider wants.
Taking a few extra minutes to clean your gloves the right way protects your investment. Good gloves are not cheap, and proper care means you will not need to replace them every year.
Check the Care Label First
Before you do anything, look at the care label inside your gloves. Every glove brand builds their products a little differently. Some are fully machine washable. Others should only ever be hand washed.
The label will tell you:
- Whether the gloves are machine washable or hand wash only
- The safest water temperature
- Whether you can tumble dry or if air drying is required
- Any special detergent recommendations
If the label has faded or you cannot find it, treat the gloves as hand wash only. This is the safer choice for gloves with leather palms, insulation, or waterproof membranes.
What You Will Need
Before you start, gather a few basic supplies:
- A mild, non-detergent soap or a technical gear cleaner like Nikwax Tech Wash
- A soft brush or old toothbrush
- Lukewarm water
- A clean towel
- Waterproofing spray or wax (optional but recommended)
Avoid regular laundry detergent, bleach, and fabric softener. These products contain chemicals that break down waterproof coatings and can irritate skin the next time you wear the gloves.
How to wash snowboard gloves
Hand washing is the safest method for most snowboard gloves, especially ones with leather panels or heavy insulation. Here is how to do it step by step.
Step 1: Remove Loose Dirt
Start by knocking off any dried mud, snow, or debris. Turn the gloves inside out if possible and shake out any loose dirt trapped inside the fingers.
Step 2: Fill a Basin with Lukewarm Water
Hot water damages waterproof membranes and can shrink certain fabrics. Stick to lukewarm water, never hot.
Step 3: Add a Small Amount of Gentle Cleaner
Mix in a small amount of technical wash or mild soap. A little goes a long way. Too much soap leaves residue that is hard to rinse out.
Step 4: Gently Scrub the Gloves
Submerge the gloves and use your hands or a soft brush to gently work the soap into the fabric. Pay extra attention to the palms and fingers, where sweat and grime build up the most.
Avoid scrubbing too hard, especially on leather sections. Leather can crack or lose its shape if you are too rough with it.
Step 5: Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse the gloves in clean, lukewarm water until all the soap is gone. Leftover soap residue can stiffen the fabric or reduce breathability.
Step 6: Squeeze Out Excess Water
Gently press the gloves between your hands or in a towel to remove extra water. Never wring or twist them, since this can damage the insulation and the shape of the glove.
Can You Machine Wash Snowboard Gloves?
Some snowboard gloves are labeled machine washable. If yours are, follow these tips to avoid damage.
- Use a gentle or delicate cycle
- Choose cold or lukewarm water only
- Skip the dryer completely
- Place gloves inside a mesh laundry bag to protect them from the drum
- Use a small amount of technical cleaner instead of regular detergent
Even if the label says machine washable, hand washing is still gentler and gives you more control. When in doubt, hand wash.
Drying Snowboard Gloves Correctly
Drying is where most people go wrong. Heat is the enemy of waterproof gear. Never put your gloves near a radiator, heater vent, campfire, or in the clothes dryer.
Instead, follow these steps:
- Stuff the gloves loosely with a clean, dry towel or paper towel. This helps them keep their shape and speeds up drying from the inside.
- Place them somewhere with good airflow, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
- Change the towel stuffing once it becomes damp.
- Let them air dry fully before wearing or storing them. This can take 24 to 48 hours depending on the insulation.
Rushing this step by using a heater or dryer might feel tempting, especially if you need the gloves for tomorrow’s ride. But the damage to the waterproofing is often permanent.
How to Get Rid of Glove Odor
Snowboard gloves can develop a strong smell after a season of sweat and moisture buildup. A few tricks help with this.
- Wash gloves as soon as possible after a smelly trip rather than letting them sit
- Use a specialized odor eliminating spray made for gear, not perfume based sprays
- Let gloves dry completely before storing them, since damp gloves grow bacteria and mildew
- Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda inside the gloves overnight, then shake it out before wearing
Good ventilation between wears also helps prevent smells from building up in the first place. Avoid stuffing damp gloves straight into a bag after riding.
Reapplying Waterproofing After Washing
Washing your gloves can strip away some of the factory applied water repellent finish, known as DWR. After a few washes, you may notice water no longer beads up on the surface.
To restore this protection:
- Make sure the gloves are clean and completely dry.
- Apply a waterproofing spray or wax made for winter gear, such as Nikwax or Grangers.
- Follow the product instructions for application and drying time.
- Test the gloves with a few drops of water. If it beads and rolls off, the waterproofing is working.
Reapplying waterproofing once or twice a season keeps your gloves performing like new.
How Often Should You Wash Snowboard Gloves
You do not need to wash your gloves after every single ride. Overwashing can wear down materials faster than necessary.
A good rule of thumb:
- Wipe down the outside after each ride to remove surface dirt
- Do a full wash every 5 to 10 uses, or sooner if they start to smell
- Always wash at the end of the season before storing them away
This balance keeps your gloves clean without overexposing them to washing, which is one of the biggest causes of wear over time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few habits can shorten the life of your snowboard gloves fast. Watch out for these:
- Using hot water, which damages waterproof membranes
- Using regular detergent instead of technical gear cleaner
- Drying gloves near a heater, fire, or in a clothes dryer
- Storing gloves while they are still damp
- Scrubbing leather too aggressively
- Skipping waterproofing reapplication after multiple washes
Avoiding these simple mistakes goes a long way toward keeping your gloves in top shape for years.
Storing Snowboard Gloves for the Off Season
Once the season ends, do not just toss your gloves in a closet. Proper storage matters just as much as washing.
- Make sure gloves are completely dry before storing
- Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
- Avoid airtight plastic bags, which can trap any leftover moisture
- Stuff them lightly with paper to help hold their shape
- Check them at the start of next season for any needed waterproofing touch up
A little care before packing them away means they will be ready to go the moment the snow starts falling again.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning snowboard gloves does not need to be complicated. Stick to gentle hand washing, lukewarm water, and mild technical cleaner. Skip the dryer and let them air dry naturally. Reapply waterproofing when needed and store them properly at the end of the season.
Take care of your gloves and they will take care of your hands on every run. A few extra minutes of maintenance now saves you money and keeps your fingers warm all winter long.
