How to Clean Boxing Gloves: The Complete Guide
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Why Cleaning Your Boxing Gloves Matters
Boxing gloves take a serious beating - and not just in the ring. Every session, your gloves absorb sweat, dead skin cells, and body oils, creating the perfect warm, damp environment for bacteria, fungi, and viruses to multiply. This can lead to smelly boxing gloves, premature material breakdown, and - more seriously - skin infections like staph, ringworm, and athlete's foot.
The good news? Keeping your boxing gloves clean, fresh, and hygienic doesn't take long. Follow this complete, step-by-step boxing glove care routine and your gloves will last longer, smell better and be a whole lot cleaner.
This guide covers everything you need to know about how to clean boxing gloves, how to dry them properly, how to deodorise boxing gloves, and how to maintain them for the long term - whether you train in boxing, Muay Thai, MMA, kickboxing, or any other combat sport. It's also written with parents in mind - if you're buying boxing gloves for kids and want to know how to keep them clean and hygienic, this is for you too.
What You'll Need to Clean Your Boxing Gloves
Before we get into the steps, here's what the Combact 3-step boxing glove care routine uses:
- Combact Antibacterial Sports Kit Spray - kills 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and fungi; plant-based, biodegradable, and safe on all boxing gloves, shin guards and sports gear.
- Combact Boxing Glove Cleaning Microfibre Cloths - ultra-absorbent, non-abrasive and purpose-made.
- Combact Boxing Glove Deodorising Inserts - reusable moisture-absorbing inserts that neutralise odour between sessions.
Step 1: Sanitise - Kill the Bacteria First
The first and most important step is sanitisation. Odour doesn't come from sweat itself - it comes from the bacteria that feed on sweat. If you want to know how to stop boxing gloves smelling, this is where it starts.
How to sanitise your boxing gloves:
- Spray the inside generously. Hold the Combact Antibacterial Sports Kit Spray 15-20cm from the opening and mist the inside of each glove thoroughly.
- Spray the outside too, lightly. A light mist on the exterior protects the material and prevents surface bacteria build-up.
- Leave to air dry briefly. Allow 2-3 minutes for the spray to work before moving on to the next step.
Note: Always spray after training while the gloves are still slightly warm - this helps the formula penetrate deeper into the lining.
Step 2: Dry - Remove Moisture to Prevent Bacterial Regrowth
Moisture is the enemy. Even after sanitising, damp gloves left in a bag is not good. Proper drying is essential - and often the most overlooked step in boxing glove care. More broadly speaking, drying your gloves between sessions is probably the single best thing you can do to make boxing gloves last longer.
How to dry boxing gloves properly:
- Use a microfibre cloth to dry the inside. Insert a Combact Boxing Glove Cleaning Microfibre Cloth into each glove and gently press it against the lining to absorb residual moisture. The ultra-absorbent fibres draw out sweat far more effectively than regular towels or cotton cloths.
- Wipe down the exterior. Use the same cloth to wipe down the outside, removing any remaining spray residue or surface moisture.
- Air dry in a ventilated space. We know this is a tough one, because realistically fighters throw their gloves back in their bags or the boot of their cars. Given we are essentially the boxing glove care police, we'll always tell you not to. Best practice is to place your gloves upright or hang them in a well-ventilated area - away from direct heat sources like radiators. Even if you just leave them on top of your bag or hang them in the garage when you get home, that's far better than sealing them away damp.
The Combact Microfibre Cloths are machine washable and 100% recyclable, making them a sustainable and long-lasting part of your kit bag.
Step 3: Deodorise - Long-Term Odour Control Between Sessions
Once your gloves are clean and mostly dry, the final step is to care for them between sessions with the Combact Boxing Glove Deodorising Inserts.
How to deodorise boxing gloves with inserts:
- Insert one deodoriser into each glove. Place one Combact Deodorising Insert inside each glove, pushing it down towards the finger area.
- Leave them in between sessions. The inserts absorb residual moisture and continuously neutralise odour-causing compounds while you're not training. They work passively - no effort required.
- Replace every 3-6 months. Each insert lasts 3-6 months depending on your training frequency. A small price for fresh-smelling gloves all year round.
The Combact Inserts use a Fresh Linen & Musk fragrance - they won't stain your glove lining or leave fragrance on your hands.
Pro tip: Use the inserts every day, even on rest days. Odour builds up even when gloves are sitting in your bag - and if smell is your biggest concern, these are your best friend.
The Complete Combact Boxing Glove Care Routine - Summary
| Step | What to Do | Product | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Sanitise | Kill bacteria, viruses and fungi inside and outside the glove | Antibacterial Sports Kit Spray | After every session |
| 2. Dry | Remove moisture from lining and exterior | Microfibre Cleaning Cloths | After every session |
| 3. Deodorise | Neutralise odour and absorb moisture overnight | Deodorising Inserts | Between every session |
Common Questions About Cleaning Boxing Gloves
Can you wash boxing gloves in a washing machine?
No. Machine washing boxing gloves will destroy the foam padding, warp the shape, and degrade leather or synthetic leather materials. Never put boxing gloves in a washing machine or dryer. The Combact spray-and-dry system is specifically designed to clean boxing gloves safely without water immersion.
How do you get the smell out of boxing gloves?
The most effective way to remove the smell from boxing gloves is to tackle the root cause - bacteria. Spray the inside with an antibacterial sports spray like the Combact Antibacterial Sports Kit Spray, dry thoroughly with a microfibre cloth, and store with deodorising inserts between sessions. Masking the smell with air freshener or fabric softener can cover smells, but it's not a real solution.
How often should you clean boxing gloves?
You should clean and dry your boxing gloves after every single training session - think of it as a routine. Bacteria multiplies rapidly in warm, damp environments - even one session left untreated can create significant odour and hygiene issues. A 2-minute post-session routine is all it takes. Every now and then a more thorough clean is needed, and we're working on some products for that right now.
Can you use antibacterial wipes on boxing gloves?
Antibacterial wipes can work for a quick surface clean, but they have two limitations. First, they don't penetrate deep into the glove lining where most bacteria actually accumulate. Second, some wipes contain alcohol or bleach-based ingredients that can dry out and crack leather or synthetic leather over time. A spray formula like the Combact Antibacterial Sports Kit Spray is far more effective and far kinder to your gloves.
Can I use the Sportswear Refresher on boxing gloves?
Yes, absolutely - and we use it all the time. The Combact Sportswear Refresher is an odour neutraliser designed to spruce up and freshen gear and fightwear between washes. It works brilliantly on boxing gloves, pads, shin guards, gym bags and any sportswear that needs a refresh. It's not an antibacterial product - that's what the Antibacterial Sports Kit Spray is for - but if your gloves smell fine and just need a quick freshen up before or after a session, the Refresher is your go-to. Think of the Antibacterial Spray as your deep clean and the Refresher as your daily refresh.
How do you clean Muay Thai gloves?
Exactly the same way as boxing gloves. The Combact 3-step routine works on all combat sports gloves - boxing gloves, Muay Thai gloves, MMA gloves, sparring gloves and bag gloves - as well as pads, shin guards and gym bags.
Should you use deodorising inserts in boxing gloves?
Yes - deodorising inserts are an excellent addition to a boxing glove care routine, provided they're the right type, as not all are made equal. Combact Deodorising Inserts are specifically designed for boxing and combat sports gloves: they absorb moisture, neutralise odour, and fit all glove sizes and shapes.
How do you dry boxing gloves fast?
The fastest safe method is to use a microfibre cloth to absorb interior moisture immediately after training, then leave gloves in a warm, well-ventilated space. Avoid direct heat sources like radiators, hairdryers, or direct sunlight - these will crack and degrade the materials. The Combact Microfibre Cloths significantly speed up drying time compared to air drying alone.
How long do boxing gloves last?
With proper care, a good pair of boxing gloves should last 1-3 years for regular training - sometimes longer. The biggest factors that shorten glove life are moisture damage, bacteria breaking down the lining, and heat degrading the leather or synthetic materials. A consistent clean-dry-deodorise routine after every session is the single best thing you can do to get the most out of your gloves.
What should you not do when cleaning boxing gloves?
Avoid the following: washing in a machine, soaking in water, drying in direct sunlight or on a radiator, using bleach or harsh chemical cleaners, using baking soda or white vinegar (these can degrade materials over time), and storing in a sealed bag while still damp.
How to Care for Other Boxing & MMA Gear
The same principles apply across your entire kit bag. The Combact Antibacterial Sports Kit Spray and Microfibre Cloths work on:
- MMA gloves and grappling gloves
- Boxing pads and focus mitts
- Shin guards and ankle supports
- Headguards and body protectors
- Gym bags and kit bags
- Running trainers and boxing boots
- Wraps and compression gear
Treat your whole kit bag to the same post-session routine and you'll extend the life of every piece of equipment you own.
The Bottom Line on How to Clean Boxing Gloves
Cleaning your boxing gloves doesn't need to be complicated or time-consuming. With the right products and a consistent routine, you can eliminate bacteria, remove odours, and significantly extend the life of your gloves - all in about 2 minutes after every session.
The Combact 3-step routine: Sanitise, Dry, Deodorise. That's it.
Use disinfectants safely, always read the label and product information before use.