How to Wash Cricketer’s Batting Gloves?

Cricket is a sport that is played in many countries and as a cricketer, you have to be equipped with safety gear.

Players carry their own cricket-kit bags which contain a lot of accessories including the cricketer’s batting gloves.

These pairs of batting gloves are found in every cricket player’s kit.

No matter if you are involved in a practice session or in the middle of a cricket match, these gloves can attract mud and dirt particles in no time.

Like any other clothing or accessories, they need regular cleaning too.

To clean them you need to be very cautious especially if you choose to wash using your washing machine.

In this article, you will learn how to carefully wash and when not to wash your cricket gloves in a washing machine. 

What are cricketer’s batting gloves?

Cricket is a game played where two teams, each with eleven players, compete in a cricket match.

It is played on a grass field using a bat and ball.

The cricketers are equipped with safety gear on the cricket field such as thigh guards, pads, helmets, rib guards, abdomen guards, wicket-keeper, batters gloves, etc.

Here batting gloves are an essential part of the cricketing equipment and are worn by the batters during the batting sessions.

It prevents injuries caused to the fingers and palm by the impact of a hard leather ball.

These gloves are designed to safeguard the palms and ensure a solid grip to handle the cricketer’s bat.

In a cricket match, the bowlers deliver a hard leather bowl from a certain length at a pace of around 90 to 100 miles an hour.

If the leather ball hits the dorsal side of the hands that is without gloves, the impact can cause severe injuries.

Hence they are one of the most important safety gear for a batsman. 

What are the cricketer’s batting gloves made up of?

The gloves used by batsmen are generally made of leather and it helps to protect their hands while they are batting.

The materials vary and are typically made up of leather with a cotton back and an elastic wrist band.

The most common materials used to make these gloves include leather, cloth, vinyl, latex, neoprene, and cotton.

They also include breathable materials and tend to accumulate sweat and dirt.

In order to clean them, you can simply follow this step-by-step guide. 

Why should you wash your cricket gloves?

Washing your cricket gloves regularly will help to keep them in good shape and prevent them from becoming a health hazard.

There are several reasons why you should wash your cricket gloves.

• It will remove any dirt or grime that has built up on the gloves.
• It aids in limiting the transmission of germs and bacteria.. 
• Cleaning them regularly removes any sweat or other moisture that has accumulated on their surface.
• Lastly, it will help to keep them in a good shape and extend their lifespan.

How to wash a cricketer’s batting gloves?

Here’s the ideal sequence for washing and drying your cricket gloves.

• Pre-Treat: Remove excess dirt and mud from the gloves and treat stains if any using stain remover OR mild detergent.
• Pre-Wash: Check the care label before you put them to wash.
• Washing Methods: Different methods to wash and clean the batter’s gloves.
• Dry the Gloves.

Here are the step-by-step instructions to wash the gloves.

Step 1: Read the Care Label

It is extremely important to read the care label before you wash the gloves as not all cricket gloves are made the same. Some may be machine washable while others are not.

In fact, some gloves are so delicate that even pre-treating them with water can damage the surface.

Step 2: Pre-Treat

Once you are sure about the washing methods outlined on the care label, you may move on to the next step.

If your battings gloves are machine washable, the next step is to pre-treat them to loosen the dirt and stains.

Remove excess dirt and mud before you put them for a wash.

Follow the below steps to pre-treat the cricket gloves.

• You may pat them together so that the excess dust comes off the gloves and make sure you do it in a gentle way.
• Using circular motions, you can use a soft brush and gently brush the dirt and mud off the gloves. Make sure that you do it in a dry state and brush all of the nooks and crannies so that no dirt is left behind.
• If you have a handy vacuum cleaner, then make use of it to extract excess dust particles with ease.
• If you are having a hard time removing adamant stains, just use gentle leather-specific stain removers.

Step 3: Cleaning your gloves

Different types of gloves require different treatments.

Here are some common methods for cleaning your gloves depending on the type of material it’s made of.

For Gloves where you need to avoid excess water

If the care label suggests avoiding excess contact with water, then simply follow the below steps to clean them.

• Mix a bowl with water and mild soap. 
• Use either a sponge, a piece of cloth, or a soft brush.
• If you are using a sponge then simply dip the sponge partly into the solution and start cleaning the gloves.
• Gently rub the entire surface thoroughly and wipe off with a dry sponge or a soft cloth.
• Repeat the step for better cleaning and follow the same steps on the inside surface of the gloves.

For Cleaning Leather Gloves

• To clean the leather material simply make use of a suitable leather cleaning solution.
• Apply the cleaning solution to the leather surfaces and let it settle for 5 minutes.
• Next, with a dry towel or a sponge, simply clean the surface.

Washable gloves

• Fill a sink or a basin with warm water and add a mild detergent.
• Submerge the gloves in the water Place the gloves in the bucket and let it settle for not more than 5 minutes.
• Agitate them around using your hands to loosen any dirt or grime
• Gently Pat them to drain excess water holding dirt. 
• Rinse them with clean water or under a running tab until soapy residues and dirt disappear.
• Wrap them using a soft towel to absorb excess water and put them for air drying.

Machine Washable Gloves

The gloves that are suitable to wash using water and detergent can be washed in a washing machine.

Some gloves include washable materials but still, you need to be very cautious in this process.

• After pre-treating and removing excess dirt from the gloves you can add them to your washer.
• Use warm water and add a mild detergent to the washtub.
• Put the gloves in a mesh laundry bag or use soft pillow covers as an alternative.
• Load them into the washer and run a delicate wash cycle. If your washer includes a hand wash cycle then you may go for it.
• Set the shortest wash duration if it is available in your washer’s settings menu.
• Remove the gloves after the wash cycle and you may rinse them with clean water.

Step 4: Drying the Cricketers Gloves

Wrap them in a soft towel and give a gentle press all around.

This will soak excess water from the gloves and also helps in reducing the dry time.

Next, Hang them or lay them flat to air dry.

Final Thoughts

A batter’s cricket gloves are meant to protect them from injuries and hence become a piece of essential equipment.

Washing them using a machine should always be considered a secondary option, instead, hand washing them is always a good idea.

Always refer to their care labels for cleaning instructions in order to avoid any damage to its material.

Frequently Asked Questions

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