Quick answer: Do not put leather gloves in the washing machine, and do not soak them, not even by hand. Wipe them with a soft cloth wrung out in lukewarm water, in the direction of the grain, and let them dry flat at room temperature, away from any heat. If a pair has already been through a wash, put it on while still damp so it regains the shape of your hands, then let it dry slowly — never on a radiator.
A lot of advice treats leather gloves like knitwear: a wool cycle, a little gentle detergent. In our workshop the answer is simpler — leather gloves are not washed, they are wiped. NM Gloves is a leather-glove workshop in Târgu Mureș, Romania, and this page explains why, what to do instead, and what to do if a pair has already been in the machine. For the whole care routine, see how to care for leather gloves.
Can leather gloves go in the washing machine?
No — not on a wool cycle, not at a low temperature, not in a laundry bag. A machine soaks the leather all the way through and works it while it is wet; as it dries, the leather loses the natural oils that keep it supple and often comes out stiff and out of shape. Lined gloves fare worst: the lining and the leather dry at different rates, and a lined pair does not recover from a machine wash.
Can you hand-wash leather gloves?
Not by soaking them in a basin. The problem is not the machine but the soaking. Rain and snow do a leather glove no harm if it dries slowly afterwards; a bath in the sink, on the other hand, drenches leather and lining at once. What a glove needs is almost always less than that: a damp cloth.
How to clean leather gloves without washing them
- Wring out a soft cloth in lukewarm water until it is only damp.
- Wipe gently in the direction of the grain.
- Put the gloves on for a moment so they keep the shape of your hands.
- Let them dry flat at room temperature, away from radiators, hairdryers and sunny windows. It may take a day.
- If a mark remains, test anything further on the inside of the cuff first, where a mistake will not show — or write to us.
Stains, winter salt and wet gloves: what to do
| Situation | What to do | Better not |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday marks | A damp cloth, lukewarm water, wiped along the grain | Household cleaners, alcohol wipes |
| Winter salt edges | Wipe with a damp cloth as soon as you notice them | Leaving them — salt draws moisture out of the leather |
| Soaked by rain or snow | Blot dry, put them on briefly, dry flat at room temperature | Radiator, hairdryer, a sunny dashboard |
| A stubborn mark | Test on the inside of the cuff first, or ask us | Trying strong products without testing |
| Lined gloves after a wet day | Air them until the lining is completely dry | Putting them away damp, or soaking them |
| An unlined pair feels dry after several winters | A very small amount of colourless leather balm, worked in and buffed off | Oils and waxes made for boots or furniture |
| End of the season | Air for a day, then store flat in a dry drawer | Plastic bags and closed boxes |
My gloves have already been in the washing machine — what now?
Take them out as soon as you can, and keep them away from the radiator and the tumble dryer. Blot off the water with a dry towel, put the gloves on so they regain the shape of your hands, then let them dry flat at room temperature, however long it takes. Lined pairs need longer still: wait until the lining is completely dry. If they feel stiff afterwards, do not reach for oil — write to us, ideally with a photo. Repairs and questions are part of what a workshop like ours is for.
Does the leather make a difference?
The routine is the same for every leather we work with — deerskin, lambskin, peccary and carpincho. Peccary rewards an even lighter hand: its soft, pitted grain needs nothing more than a damp cloth and time. How the leathers differ is explained in our leather guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put leather gloves in the washing machine?
No, not even on a wool cycle or at a low temperature. The machine soaks the leather, which then often dries stiff and out of shape; lined gloves do not recover from it.
Can I wash leather gloves by hand?
Not by soaking them. A soft cloth wrung out in lukewarm water handles almost everything: wipe in the direction of the grain and let the gloves dry flat.
How do I remove winter salt stains from leather gloves?
Wipe them with a damp cloth as soon as you notice them. Salt left to sit draws moisture out of the leather.
How do I dry wet leather gloves?
Blot them, put them on briefly so they keep their shape, and let them dry flat at room temperature — never on a radiator or with a hairdryer. It may take a day.
Can I use a cleaner or an alcohol wipe?
We advise against it: no household cleaners and no alcohol wipes. If a damp cloth does not lift a mark, test anything further on the inside of the cuff first.
Can lined winter gloves be washed?
No. Lined gloves should never be soaked, because the lining and the leather dry at different rates. Clean the leather with a damp cloth, and after a wet day let the pair air until the lining is completely dry.
Last updated: 7 November 2026.
Every pair we make comes from our workshop in Târgu Mureș, Transylvania. The full care guide · Winter gloves · Leather guide · Contact