How to Clean Boxing Gloves (and Stop the Smell for Good)

Tired of stinky 'glove funk'? Our expert guide shows you how to properly clean, deodorize, and maintain your boxing gloves to make them last longer.

A person wiping down a pair of boxing gloves with a cloth.
Photo: Sportloom

We’ve all been there. You open your gym bag, and a wave of odor hits you—the unmistakable, eye-watering "glove funk." It's the byproduct of hard work, sweat, and bacteria having a party inside your favorite pair of gloves.

But it's not just about the smell. Letting your gloves stay damp and dirty will destroy them. Sweat breaks down the leather and padding, and the bacteria buildup can lead to nasty skin infections.

The good news? Cleaning and maintaining your gloves is simple, but it requires a consistent routine. Here’s our definitive guide to keeping your gloves fresh and making them last.

What You'll Need: The Cleaning Kit

You don't need a lot of expensive gear, but having these items on hand makes the process effortless:

  • Two Microfiber Cloths: One for cleaning, one for drying.
  • Mild Soap Solution: A bit of gentle hand soap or baby shampoo mixed with warm water.
  • A "Rinse" Bowl: A small bowl of clean, warm water.

  • (Recommended) Antibacterial Sports Spray: Excellent for a quick post-workout kill-off of bacteria.


    cleaner and deodorizer

  • (Recommended) Glove Deodorizers: Small pouches filled with charcoal or cedar chips.


    boxing gloves deodorizer

Part 1: The Post-Training Wipe-Down (Do This Every Time)

This is the most important part of the entire process. Do this immediately after every single training session. It takes 60 seconds.

  1. Wipe the Outside: Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe all the sweat off the exterior of the gloves.
  2. Wipe the Inside: This is key. Take your second cloth, dampen it slightly (with water or your mild soap solution), and wipe down the entire inside of the glove—fingers, palm, and cuff.
  3. Air Them Out: When you get home, DO NOT leave them in your gym bag. Open the velcro cuff as wide as possible and set them in a well-ventilated, dry area.

Pro-Tip: Hang your gloves. You can use a simple hook or buy a specific glove hanger. This allows air to circulate inside, which is the #1 way to prevent bacteria growth.

Part 2: The Weekly Deep Clean

Once a week, or whenever your gloves start to get a bit funky, it's time for a slightly deeper clean.

  1. Create Your Solution: Mix a few drops of mild soap (like baby shampoo) into a bowl of warm water.
  2. Scrub the Interior: Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution, wring it out so it's damp, not soaking wet, and thoroughly scrub the inside lining of the glove.
  3. "Rinse" the Interior: Take a clean cloth, dip it in your bowl of plain warm water, wring it out, and wipe away any soap residue from the inside.

  4. Condition the Exterior (For Leather Gloves): Once a month, apply a tiny amount of leather conditioner to the outside of leather gloves to prevent cracking.


    bottle of boxing gloves conditioner

Part 3: The Most Important Step—Proper Drying

Cleaning is only half the battle. If you clean your gloves and then leave them damp, you've just given the bacteria a clean, wet home.

  • DO: Open the gloves wide and place them in front of a fan or in an open, airy room.
  • DO: Stuff them with newspaper. The paper will absorb the moisture overnight.
  • DO NOT: Use a hairdryer, radiator, or direct sunlight. Intense heat will crack the leather and damage the foam padding.
  • DO NOT: Put them in a tumble dryer. This will destroy your gloves in one cycle.

The Best Solution: If you train frequently, invest in a boot/glove dryer. These are small, gentle dryers that use low heat and a fan to safely dry your gear. They are a game-changer.
[Check Price on Amazon for Glove Dryers]

Common Mistakes: What NOT to Do

  • ❌ Never use a washing machine. The agitation and saturation will break down the multi-layer foam padding.
  • ❌ Never soak your gloves. Submerging them in water will waterlog the padding, and it may never fully dry out.
  • ❌ Never use harsh chemicals. Bleach, household cleaners, or alcohol wipes will destroy the material (especially leather).
  • ❌ Never leave them in your gym bag. This is the #1 sin. Your bag is a dark, damp incubator for "glove funk."

How to Deodorize Stinky Gloves (The Quick Fix)

If the smell is already there, here’s how to fight back:

  1. Use Glove Deodorizers: This is the easiest method. Stuff charcoal or cedar pouches into your gloves after your wipe-down. They absorb moisture and kill the smell.
  2. The Baking Soda Trick: Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda inside each glove and leave it overnight. The next day, vacuum it out thoroughly.
  3. Antibacterial Spray: A quick spritz with a sports-safe antibacterial spray will kill the odor-causing bacteria before they multiply.

Final Thoughts

Your boxing gloves are a critical piece of equipment. Taking two minutes after each session to wipe them down and air them out will double their lifespan and keep your hands healthy. A clean glove is a fast glove (or at least, a much more pleasant one to use).