Can You Use Alcohol To Clean Your Boxing Gloves?

If you’re like most people, you probably have at least a few boxing gloves that need some of your love (cleaning!). While you might occasionally use them for light sparring or bag practice, some of your boxing gloves are probably just laying around. And there’s nothing wrong with that! However, if you’re serious about boxing even as a regular hobby or as a profession, you should probably give your boxing gloves a good cleaning. You should be aware of this because boxing gloves are porous. This means that they are made from a material that absorbs liquids and by liquids we mean sweat! In other words, when you sweat, dirt, and grime get trapped in your boxing gloves, which can cause them to smell and look dirty. So once a week is probably enough to clean your boxing gloves. But what if you want to clean your boxing gloves more often? Or what if you want to clean your gloves faster? Is alcohol the answer to your question? Does using alcohol to clean your boxing gloves work? Keep reading to find out! 

Why should you clean your boxing gloves?

Boxing is kind of a brutal sport. It makes you sweat as you have never before. Having said this, if you do not indulge in cleaning your gloves regularly, they will begin reeking! Also because gloves are a piece of enclosed equipment and not that ventilated to keep the compartment fresh. Therefore, you do need to step ahead and do the deed yourself. 

Can you clean boxing gloves with alcohol?

Cleaning boxing gloves could be a challenging task. You can’t just throw them in the washing machine and expect them to get cleaned with soap and water. This will only trap germs and bacteria which can make your gloves smell like sweat and cause odour.

To clean your gloves, you first need to remove any excess oils or moisture. Along with that, you have to make sure that the bacteria are also wiped off.

You may use wipes dipped in alcohol, or even use vinegar to clean out your gloves. Use alcohol dipped wipes and rub them down inside as well as outside. Rub it gently so that the gloves do not absorb the solution. Both the solutions will solve the purpose. Whatever you choose, alcohol or vinegar, avoid using harsh cleaning sprays on your gloves, as they can damage the gloves and cause a reaction with your skin.

Can you use rubbing alcohol to clean boxing gloves?

Yes, you can absolutely use rubbing alcohol and water solution to clean your gloves. The odour that comes out of the gloves is due to the thriving bacteria in warm and humid climates. Consequently, you should always air dry your gloves after every session. If you cannot do so, then feel free to clean the insides using a 50/50 rubbing alcohol and water solution.

How to clean boxing gloves with alcohol?

When you reach your home after a session, take your gloves out first thing. The more it is kept inside in a humid environment, the more it will smell. Air would do good and help it dry.

Secondly, wipe them! Initially use dry wipes/towels to absorb any extra moisture that is still there. Do this inside as well as outside. 

Then, proceed to do the main task- clean the insides. Now it is time to sanitize the interior using alcohol or vinegar solution. Use a few spritzes and cover as much area as possible. 

Note – Avoid using things like Febreze because they are just masking the smell.

Finally, repeat the whole procedure to clean the outside.

Benefits of cleaning boxing gloves with alcohol

As we have already mentioned, sweat is absorbed, which leads to the build-up of bacteria and germs. If you do not clean your gloves, the bacteria start thriving in a moist and air-tight environment. Using alcohol helps to kill those bacterial growths and also the germs. Some benefits that alcohol offers:

1. Alcohol-based solutions are much stronger than their water-based counterparts and can effectively kill a wider range of bacteria, viruses, and germs.
2. They’re also cost-effective, which is why so many consumer goods companies use them.
3. The alcohol content is also great for removing stains, odours, and debris from your gloves.

Related Read: Benefits Of Using Boxing Gloves

If you are looking for rubbing alcohol, you can use rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol to disinfect your gloves. Rubbing alcohol is cheaper. Isopropyl alcohol can be found at a pharmacy or grocery store very conveniently. The higher the percentage of isopropyl alcohol, the better. Anything over 90% is considered pure. A lower percentage means the rubbing alcohol may not be as effective.

If you compare rubbing alcohol and water, It’s best to use rubbing alcohol instead of water because it has a lower PH level. This prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi, which ensures the gloves are disinfected properly.

Things to take care of while cleaning boxing gloves with alcohol

There isn’t much that could go wrong while you are cleaning your gloves. Just be conscious while spraying the alcohol solution and do not overdo it. If you excessively use it, the gloves may soak the solution and then instead of reeking shabbily, they will end up with a sweet, alcohol-like odour!

Read More: How To Wash Boxing Gloves In Washing Machine?

Other products you can use to clean boxing gloves

To prevent your gloves from reeking worse than a rotten egg sandwich left to dry, you do need a proper guide and schedule for cleaning. Without it, your gloves are a battlefield of germs and bacteria.

Things you can use besides alcohol to clean your gloves thoroughly:

1. Apple Cider Vinegar: by far, it is the most flexible product! There are innumerable things that you could do with it. It is highly effective in removing stinky smells. Use it along with water and wipe your gloves with the solution thoroughly.

2. Baking Soda: baking soda is probably the OG cleaning agent! This product is universally famous for removing smells. Take a pinch and season your gloves with it for some time. The odour would vanish.

Conclusion

There are no second thoughts about why should you clean your boxing gloves. It just comes naturally when you are aware of what might happen if you do not clean them. You might even faint with how pungent the smell could be. Besides this part, if you look hygiene-wise, it is dramatically scary. Without proper cleaning practices, the gloves could be a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria, germs, and viruses. You would not be able to enjoy playing the sport with damaging gloves. So why do you not just clean them? Believe us, it is a very convenient, economical, and refreshing thing to do!

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