How to Wash Ski Gloves? | Keep Them Dry, Soft & Functional

Your ski gloves take a beating on the mountain. Between sweat, snow, and the occasional lunchtime spill, they need cleaning. But the wrong approach can wreck waterproof membranes, crush insulation, or dry out leather — and then you’re buying a new pair. The reliable method is gentler than most people expect.

What You Need Before You Start

Gather a clean, lint-free cloth, a soft brush, mild detergent (ideally a technical wash made for outdoor gear), and a towel. Check the care label on your gloves first. It tells you whether machine washing is a safe option or off the table entirely.

Some brands are strict. SCOTT’s guidance says to hand wash gloves with mild detergent in warm water, gently squeeze from fingertips to wrist, and hang dry with fingers facing upward. Their instructions explicitly tell you to skip the washing machine and tumble dryer. Gordini is even more specific: gloves with leather, waterproof inserts, or down insulation should never be machine-washed.

The Step-by-Step Hand Washing Method

Hand washing is the safest choice for nearly every pair. Follow this sequence:

1. Remove loose dirt. Wipe the exterior with a dry cloth or soft brush to knock off surface grime before anything gets wet.
2. Fill a basin or sink with cool or warm water and add a small amount of mild detergent. Avoid standard harsh detergents if the label warns against them.
3. Submerge the gloves and gently work the soap through the fabric with your hands. Don’t scrub aggressively, and don’t twist or wring.
4. Rinse thoroughly in clean water until no soap remains. Soap residue traps odor and can irritate skin.
5. Press out the water by squeezing gently from the fingertips toward the cuff. Never wring.
6. Dry slowly at room temperature. Lay gloves flat, or hang them upright with fingers pointing up. Keep them away from radiators, heaters, and fireplaces.

For odor, once the gloves are fully dry, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda inside, shake it around, and let it sit for a few hours or overnight. Shake it out before your next use. A splash of vinegar in the rinse water can also help during hand washing.

When Machine Washing Is Acceptable

Some ski gloves carry a care label that permits machine washing. If yours does, that’s fine, but take precautions. Place them in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase to reduce snagging, and use a gentle or delicate cycle with cold or cool water.

Skip the fabric softener and bleach entirely. Both can degrade waterproof membranes and insulation. After the cycle ends, never tumble dry unless the label explicitly says it’s allowed — and even then, use low heat. Most gloves dry better flat or hanging.

The reality is that machine washing carries more risk than reward for most ski gloves. Leather, down, and waterproof-breathable inserts are common in quality gloves, and those materials simply don’t respond well to the agitation of a washing machine. When in doubt, hand wash. If you’re shopping for a new pair and want to know which materials hold up best, our roundup of women’s waterproof ski gloves for cold weather covers the options worth considering.

Mistakes That Ruin Ski Gloves

Most glove damage comes from a handful of repeat mistakes. Wringing or twisting forces water through seams and can distort the shape. Drying near direct heat — radiators, vents, or a fireplace — can crack leather and shrink insulation. Fabric softener leaves a coating that blocks breathability, and bleach attacks waterproof coatings.

Turning gloves inside out can damage stitching and structure when the maker says not to. Gordini specifically recommends drying gloves upright with cuffs down, away from direct heat, using a light-colored damp cloth for spot cleaning. That simple routine keeps most gloves functioning for years.