Want your baseball batting gloves to last longer, smell better, and stay soft all season? Proper care is the key. In this guide, we’ll show you how to clean, dry, store, and maintain your GOAThletic goat leather batting gloves correctly. Learn how to stop odour, prevent stiffness, avoid cracking, and keep your gloves feeling game-ready—without special tools or harsh chemicals.
You’ve got your new GOAThletic gloves. They fit great. They feel even better. But after a few games, they start to smell. They get stiff. And they don’t feel like they used to.
Sound familiar? That happens when gloves aren’t cared for properly. Baseball gloves go through a lot, sweat, dirt, and heat wear them down fast. The good news is that you can make your gloves last longer with a few easy steps. Let’s learn how to keep your GOAThletic goat leather batting gloves clean, soft, and ready to go.
Glove Care: Tips and Tricks
Your batting gloves are your grip and your control at the plate. If they wear out, your performance suffers. Taking care of them is part of being ready to play. It’s not complicated, keep them clean, keep them dry, and don’t let dirt and sweat stay in them too long. Treat your gloves the same way you treat your bat, with care and consistency.
Dry Your Gloves After Each Use
Drying your gloves properly is the most important thing you can do to protect them. After each game or practice, pat them dry with a towel and let them air out. Don’t leave them bunched up in your gear bag or tossed on the floor of your car. Lay them flat in a well-ventilated space so they can dry fully. Avoid putting them in direct sunlight or near a heater. Heat can crack the leather. Let them dry slowly and naturally.
Moisturize Your Gloves with Leather Conditioning Balm
GOAThletic gloves are made from real goat leather, and like all natural materials, they need moisture to stay soft. Once a week, apply a small amount of leather balm after the gloves have dried completely. Rub it in gently and let it sit overnight. Wipe off any extra in the morning. This keeps the leather smooth, prevents cracks, and extends the life of the gloves.
Avoid Using Them in the Rain
Leather and water don’t mix well. If you wear your gloves in the rain, the water can dry them out and make them stiff or even crack the surface. On wet days, it’s best to use a backup pair if you have one. Keeping your primary gloves dry helps them stay in good shape and ready for game time.
Remove the Dirt
Dirt isn’t just messy, it’s damaging. It builds up in the glove and rubs against the leather. That makes gloves wear out faster and feel less comfortable. After each game, wipe your gloves with a soft, damp cloth. Don’t use soap or soak them in water. Be gentle. A simple wipe-down after every use keeps them cleaner and helps maintain their grip.
Use a Deodorizer
Even clean gloves can start to smell if they don’t dry properly. To keep the stink away, use charcoal glove inserts or a natural deodorizer. These pull moisture and odour out of the gloves between games. If the smell is already there, try spraying the inside lightly with a 50/50 vinegar and water mix. Let them dry completely before wearing them again. Avoid using air fresheners or sprays with alcohol, as they can dry out and damage the leather.
Get Two Pairs of Gloves
If you play often, owning two pairs of gloves makes a big difference. Rotate them so one pair can dry while you use the other. It also helps each pair last longer. You can keep one set for games and another for practice. That way, you’ll always have dry gloves ready, and you won’t wear them out as quickly.
Don’t Worry About Flaking
You might notice a little flaking on the palm or fingertips after a few weeks of play. Don’t panic. That’s totally normal with real goat leather, especially if you hit a lot or train in the cage. Flaking just means the leather is breaking in and responding to use. It doesn’t mean the gloves are worn out. As long as the grip feels good and the gloves fit well, you’re all set.
If you want to learn more deeply about breaking in batting gloves checkout How to Break In New Batting Gloves
What to Avoid
Avoid common mistakes that can ruin your gloves. Don’t put them in the washing machine or dryer. Don’t leave them in direct sunlight or use a hairdryer to speed up drying. Don’t soak them in water or twist them when they’re wet. And never use bleach, strong cleaners, or sprays made for shoes or air freshening. All of these can damage the leather, break down the stitching, or ruin the fit. Store your gloves flat in a clean, dry area—never crumpled in a wet bag or left in a hot car.
Keeping from Stinking
The smell mostly comes from trapped sweat. To stop it, dry your gloves right away. Let them breathe. Don’t zip them up in a wet bag. Use inserts or natural deodorizers to soak up moisture. Cleaning and airing out your gloves is the easiest way to stop the stink before it starts.
Keeping from Stiffing
When gloves dry the wrong way or lose their natural oils, they get stiff. To avoid this, make sure they air dry slowly, not in direct heat. Use leather conditioner regularly to keep it soft and flexible. Avoid letting them sit damp overnight or using them in rainy weather.
Maintain Batting Gloves
Caring for your gloves doesn’t take much time, but it pays off. Wipe them down after use. Dry them properly. Use a conditioner once a week. And store them flat in a cool, dry place. Build this routine into your weekly schedule. A few minutes of care can save you from needing a new pair mid-season.
Keeping from Smelling
To prevent your gloves from smelling, focus on keeping them dry. Leave space around them in your bag. Let them dry fully after every game. Use glove deodorizers or vinegar spray if needed. If they ever get soaked, dry them completely before wearing them again. Odour is easy to manage when you don’t give it a place to grow.
Keeping from Snug
To keep your gloves fitting right, handle them gently. Don’t yank them off when they’re damp. Don’t scrunch them into a tight ball. Let them dry in their natural shape. When putting them on or taking them off, do it slowly, just like you would with a nice leather jacket. This helps them hold their shape and keep that perfect snug fit you love.
Conclusion
Your GOAThletic gloves are made for performance, but they need a little care to stay that way. Clean them often. Let them dry fully. Condition the leather. And store them properly. These small habits go a long way in keeping your gloves soft, fresh, and ready for every at-bat. The better you take care of your gear, the better it’ll take care of your game.
Product Suggestions from GOAThletic
GOAThletic Leather Batting Gloves
Premium goat leather. Comfortable fit. Long-lasting grip. Built for serious players. Choose your favorite color now!
