How to Clean Ski Gloves? | Keep Them Warm & Waterproof

Cleaning your ski gloves the right way comes down to one question most skiers skip: what are they made of? The safest method for keeping your hands warm all season is gentle hand washing with a technical detergent and slow air-drying. Machine washing is fine for synthetic shells, but it ruins leather, down insulation, and waterproof membranes. The care label is your first stop, and this guide walks through the steps that keep every type of glove performing.

Why Hand Washing Is The Safest Bet

Hand washing with warm or lukewarm water and a small amount of mild soap or technical wash is the most widely recommended method across manufacturers. This applies to synthetic shells, insulated liners, and most everyday ski gloves.

The process itself is straightforward:

• Remove loose dirt and snow first with a soft brush or cloth.
• Spot-clean any stains before the full wash.
• Submerge the gloves and gently scrub with your fingers or a soft cloth.
• Squeeze the water from fingertips to wrist without twisting or wringing.
• Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.
• Air-dry slowly, away from radiators, fireplaces, and direct sun.

SCOTT’s official guidance calls for hanging gloves dry with the fingers pointing up after squeezing out excess water. Gordini recommends drying away from direct heat with the cuffs facing downward if possible. Either works, as long as heat stays out of the equation.

Can I Machine Wash Ski Gloves?

Only if the care label explicitly permits it. Machine washing is fine for many synthetic gloves, but manufacturer guidance differs and some forbid it entirely.

When the label gives the green light, protect the gloves and the machine:

• Place gloves inside a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase.
• Use a gentle or delicate cycle with cold or cool water.
• Choose a technical outdoor-specific detergent, never powder or heavy-duty formulas.
• Wash with like materials and colors.
• Skip bleach and fabric softener completely.

The catch: gloves with leather, waterproof inserts, or down insulation should never go in the machine. Gordini states that clearly, and MCTi echoes it. Leather cracks and stiffens, waterproof membranes delaminate, and down clumps under machine agitation.

For gloves with removable liners, wash the liners separately by hand and dry them apart from the outer shell. SCOTT also notes that outer shells and liners should not be turned inside out during cleaning.

What About Leather And Down Gloves?

Leather gloves require a completely different approach: spot-cleaning only, with no machine washing at all. A damp cloth and a leather-specific soap handle most dirt and grime. After the leather dries, a conditioner or wax keeps it supple and protects it from moisture. Using a high-fat soap on leather is what Gordini recommends for stubborn grime.

Down-insulated gloves need the same careful hand-wash routine, but with extra attention to rinsing. Soap residue reduces waterproofing on any glove, and thorough rinsing protects both the membrane and the insulation. A little white vinegar or baking soda in the wash water handles odors without leaving residue.

Once your gloves are clean and dry, keeping them protected is the next step toward a full season of comfort. Heated options that eliminate cold-weather guesswork are worth a look if you ski in bitter temperatures or have circulation issues.

The Drying Step That Makes Or Breaks Gloves

Air drying is the single most repeated instruction in every manufacturer’s care guide. Direct heat is the fastest way to shrink, crack, or stiffen any glove material.

The mistakes that cause the most damage:

• Wringing or twisting to force water out — this damages seams and internal structure.
• Drying on a radiator, heater, or in direct sunlight.
• Using fabric softener, bleach, or heavy-duty detergent.
• Aggressive scrubbing that tears stitching or damages the membrane.
• Machine washing leather, down, or waterproof-insert gloves.

Low heat in a tumble dryer is acceptable only if the care label explicitly permits it. When in doubt, pat the gloves dry with a towel, reshape them, and give them a full day to air dry. Patience here is what keeps your gloves warm, dry, and functional for seasons to come.