How to Clean and Care for Riding Gloves

Riding with Farris

Yes, most riding gloves can be gently hand-washed in cool water with mild soap, then air-dried away from heat.

By the riders at Farris · Updated June 2026

Can you wash riding gloves?

Yes. Most riding gloves can be hand-washed in cool water with a little mild soap. Always check the care label first, because some leather gloves should only be spot-cleaned. Many synthetic gloves tolerate a gentle machine cycle inside a mesh bag, but hand-washing is the safest option for any pair you want to last.

How to clean riding gloves, step by step

1. Check the care label. Read the maker's instructions first. Some leather gloves should only be spot-cleaned rather than washed.
2. Hand-wash in cool water. Use cool water with a little mild soap, and gently work the soap through the palms and fingers where dirt and sweat collect.
3. Rinse thoroughly. Rinse in clean, cool water until no soap remains.
4. Press out the water. Press the gloves in a towel to remove excess water. Don't wring them hard, as that distorts the shape.
5. Reshape and air-dry. Reshape the gloves while damp and lay them flat or hang them away from direct heat and sunlight until fully dry.

How do you dry riding gloves?

Air-dry them, always. Lay them flat or hang them away from direct heat and sunlight — never on a radiator and never in a tumble dryer, which is especially damaging to leather. Reshape them while they are still damp so they dry to the shape of your hand, and if they are very wet you can loosely stuff the fingers with paper to hold their form.

Caring for leather vs synthetic gloves

Leather needs the gentler touch: clean sparingly, never soak or machine-dry it, and use a little leather conditioner occasionally to keep it supple. Synthetic gloves are more forgiving — they wash easily and dry fast, which is part of why they suit everyday riding. (More on the trade-offs in our leather vs synthetic guide.)

How to make your gloves last

• Rotate two pairs if you ride daily, so each one dries out fully between rides.
• Dry them completely before storing. Damp gloves wear out faster and lose their grip.
• Store them flat and dry, out of direct sun, rather than balled up in a tack box.

Frequently asked questions

Can you wash riding gloves?

Yes. Most can be gently hand-washed in cool water with mild soap, then air-dried away from heat. Check the care label first, as some leather gloves should only be spot-cleaned.

Can you machine wash riding gloves?

Many synthetic gloves can handle a gentle machine cycle inside a mesh bag, but hand-washing is safer and kinder to any pair. Avoid machine-washing leather gloves.

How do you dry wet riding gloves?

Air-dry them away from direct heat and sunlight, and reshape them while damp so they dry to your hand. Never use a tumble dryer or radiator, especially with leather, because heat stiffens and shrinks the material.

Farris · shopfarris.ca · #RideWithFarris