Can You Wash A Baseball Glove In The Washing Machine? The 185 Detailed Answer

A baseball game often takes place regardless of the weather. Thunderstorms and downpours are enough to delay, cancel, or reschedule a baseball game. However, most baseball games will continue in light rain. As a result, the glove you worked hard to break in can get wet. A wet glove can lose its shape and become stiff. Luckily, playing baseball on a rainy day or accidentally leaving your glove outdoors doesn’t mean the end of your glove. Proper drying and conditioning can restore your glove to its former glory.

Dry the outside and inside of your glove with a clean, dry towel. Blot as much moisture out of your glove as possible. Use multiple towels if necessary.

Place your glove in an open, dry, indoor location away from sunlight or heat sources. Check the liner regularly to monitor progress.

Apply a glove softener to the leather after your glove is dry. Use 1/4 amount of fabric softener or follow product directions. Rub the glove softener into the glove with a clean, dry towel. Let the glove dry for 24 hours. This softens the leather and prevents your glove from becoming stiff.

Maintain the shape of your glove by pocketing a baseball. Squeeze the glove and stretch a rubber band around the glove to secure the baseball.

Store your glove in a cool, dry place.

Sometimes softball gloves can smell. Especially ones you’ve been using for a while or played with in the rain. It can be disgusting. The worst part is that the smell can sometimes rub off on your palms as well. Imagine trying to snack right after a game and feeling the smell on your palms while trying to take a big bite out of that sandwich? It can be disgusting. Have you ever wondered why this happens?

Softball gloves smell because of the sweat that collects on the glove. Mold can also form on the glove if the glove is not cleaned and stored in a dry, cool place. Softball gloves should be cleaned at least once a week if they are used frequently.

In this article we will show you why your softball glove stinks and how you can keep it clean.

Why do softball gloves smell bad?

Put simply, activities that can make you sweat, such as running or during a game, in which case your body releases sweat to cool you down. While your hand is in an enclosed space, the glove heats up so much that it could also sweat. Sweat is a great way for bacteria to multiply.

These bacteria make your softball gloves and hands smell like your armpit, for example.

The smell can get worse if your gloves are not washed or not washed enough.

Because the easiest and frankly only way to get rid of that smell permanently is to constantly wash your softball glove at least once a week to keep sweat from building up on the glove over time and increasing the odor.

Here’s a guide on how to properly wash your softball gloves at home using everyday things you can find around the house.

For a complete beginner’s guide to softball gear, check out our article here.

How to properly wash softball gloves

Unfortunately, many people don’t clean their softball gloves very often, and even if they do, it’s not done properly.

For example, one may go to the trouble of only cleaning the outer part of the glove and forget to clean the inside of the glove.

First you should use the basic cleaning supplies like soap. Nothing special. Just a simple bar of soap will do the trick.

Steps to cleaning your softball glove

Fill a bowl with warm water and soap

Dampen a cloth with the soapy water and wring out excess liquid thoroughly

Now you want to gently wipe the glove’s outer and inner leather in a circular motion to be efficient

Also remember to get the cloth into those tight areas including the inside of the thumb of your glove, the finger holes and also the palm area

If you’re dealing with an old softball glove, there’s another cleaning process to deal with. If your extended team glove (from the previous softball season) has sat in a bag or been stored in a basement, learn how to care for the glove here.

A mixture of 1 cup rubbing alcohol and 1 cup water to remove mold or mildew that may have settled on the gloves over time

Dip a clean cloth in the diluted alcohol

Squeeze the excess moisture out of the cloth and use it to wipe the entire glove

Clean the glove in a circular motion to ensure the entire surface of the glove is touched

After cleaning the glove, we recommend using glove oil to preserve the glove. Glove oil is essentially an oil that you rub into the glove to preserve the leather.

Our favorite brand of glove oil can be found here on Amazon.

How to clean a softball glove that has been left out in the rain

If a glove isn’t cared for properly, it can also develop quite unpleasant odors when left out in the rain. If not treated properly, it can also collect mold from all that moisture.

How to properly dry your softball gloves

If the gloves are too wet, try to squeeze out as much water as possible

Having done this, you can now place your gloves in an open, dry indoor location. Avoid a heat source such as sunlight to dry the glove. So that the gloves do not become hard or stiff after drying under direct sunlight for so long.

If the glove is usually a bit hard after drying, you can try applying a glove or fabric softener to your softball gloves.

Rub the glove softener into the glove with a clean, dry towel and allow to dry for a further 24 hours. This softens the leather on your gloves and prevents the leather from hardening

You can easily keep the shape of your gloves by putting the baseball in your pocket, squeezing it shut and stretching an elastic band around the softball glove to secure the baseball in place.

Additional tips for cleaning your glove

Here are some quick tips to guide you through your cleaning process. We encourage you to follow these tips to maximize the longevity of your softball glove.

Do not use harsh detergents that could damage the leather of your gloves.

Do not use bleach or solvents as these are oxidizing agents and can cause discoloration of the leather.

Do not use any form of heat to dry your gloves. This includes a hair dryer.

Excessive heat can harden and crack the leather, destroying your gloves

Your gloves need adequate time to dry properly as they are not dried directly under sunlight.

You should not submerge your leather gloves in water. Simply use the cleaning method above to wipe and clean the gloves.

Cleaning your glove can mean the difference between spending $100 on a new glove and using it year after year. It is easier to get a feel for the softball when the gloves are broken in. Stiff gloves can often lead to errors and other infield/outfield mistakes.

If you are an avid softball player, we recommend storing your glove in a cool, dry place after a game. Don’t just throw it at the bottom of a bag until the next time you use it.

Conclusion

Softball gloves smell because of the sweat that builds up in the glove during play. Sweat from your hand will cause bacteria to grow inside the glove, giving off an unpleasant smell.

Clean your glove using the steps above. With proper care, you can extend the life of a glove by a year.

By using these techniques, you can get rid of that smell and finally have an easy snack without getting nauseous.

Athletes are often attached to their sports equipment. As pieces of equipment such as baseball gloves are used over time, they shrink, conform to the contours of the wearer’s hand, and become more comfortable to use. It can be heartbreaking to see a favorite glove go moldy or mildew in the off-season, especially when you’ve used the glove for multiple seasons. As long as the stitching and surface of the glove are still intact, it is possible to remove mold from a glove and make the leather less moldy in the future.

Step 1 Remove lacing from glove. Depending on the condition of the laces, you may need to cut them if you can’t remove them without damaging them.

Step 2 Brush the glove dry with a leather cleaning brush or other stiff nylon bristled brush. This removes mold from the leather and also removes dust, dirt and other debris from the folds of the leather so that the debris does not interfere with the cleaning and preservation treatments.

Step 3 Wipe down the mitt with a mixture of equal parts vinegar or lemon juice and water. This will clean the glove while the acidity of the vinegar or lemon juice will kill any remaining mold or mold spores on the glove surface. Clean the entire glove surface, including crevices that have developed over time.

Step 4 Place the glove in a warm, dry place to air dry. Allow the glove surface to dry completely before proceeding with surface treatment. If you used lemon juice during the cleaning process, wipe the mitt a second time with water only and allow to dry again.

Step 5 Apply a leather treatment to the glove to soften the material while preventing further shaping. Use leather wax, leather polish, sports equipment leather treatments, or other products such as petroleum jelly.

Step 6 Once the treatment is completely dry, allow the glove to air dry again and buff with a rag if necessary. Change the glove, if necessary use a new lacing.

01/31/2021

There is nothing worse than a wet or rain-soaked glove. Players and parents can agree on that. We’ve all been through that. Accidentally left your glove outside in the rain? Did the sprinklers come on while your glove was on the field? Maybe your water bottle broke in your glove bag. Or maybe you attended a game that was delayed or canceled entirely due to rain.

Whatever happened, water and leather don’t mix well. Water combined with leather removes protective oils that contribute to the overall durability of your glove. It also causes your shoelaces to weaken and can eventually tear. But fear not, the JustGlove team is here to answer the following questions:

“What do I do if my glove gets wet?”

“How should I dry my wet baseball or softball glove?” ”

These tips will help you know what to do when leather gets wet in general, and how to dry your soaked glove. Let’s start.

Step #1: Use a towel to soak up moisture

First things first: If the leather gets wet, use a clean towel (or towels) to pat your glove dry and massage while applying pressure to try to absorb excess moisture. If you have multiple towels, we recommend using them in three main places:

Bag: Take the first towel and stuff it in the bag with a ball so you don’t ruin your bag. Finger Cots: Take a second towel and stuff it into the wrist opening and finger cots, if possible. Entire glove: Take the third towel and wrap it around the entire glove.

Keep an eye on the towels and make sure you don’t use damp or completely wet towels. It’s best to swap them out frequently. Better safe than sorry. Note that you can also use paper towels or even newspaper for this step. However, we recommend using a real towel if you have access to it.

Step #2: Use a fan for deeper drying

If you have a fan, great. If not, you can skip this step. But it is highly recommended. Most box fans are relatively inexpensive and can be found and purchased at your local supermarket for ~$20.

Once you have a fan set up, turn it on and point it directly at the wet leather of your glove. Or better yet, lean your wet baseball glove against your fan’s face. Do this on and off for several hours while making sure your glove doesn’t get too hot or too cold. Make sure that if your fan has an air conditioning or heating function, that function can be turned off.

Step #3: Apply glove oil to rehydrate

You patted your glove dry and let it air out in front of a fan. You’re done now, aren’t you? Not correct. Applying leather glove oil is the next step in ensuring your wet baseball glove is ready to play again. And remember, less is more when it comes to glove oil. This step is to ensure your glove doesn’t dry out after step 1 and step 2 and also to bring the original color back to your glove. It will also help return oil that may have been washed away by the water.

If you don’t have glove oil, you’ve come to the right place! The JustGloves Glove Care Kit includes not only a professional grade soft glove conditioner, but also applicator sponges, a wooden glove hammer and more! It’s really designed to help you take care of your glove season after season.

Pick up your glove care kit today

Step #4: Let it sit overnight

Leave your glove in a dry place indoors overnight. Avoid direct sunlight and all other weather influences. This step is important to allow the leather to return to its normal shape and color after it has been wet.

Step #5: Repeat if necessary

Once you have completed steps 1 through 4, you may need to repeat them until you are comfortable with the look and feel of the leather on your glove.

Now that we’ve gone through the five step process of drying a baseball glove, here are a few additional tips that may help.

Tip #1: Weigh your glove

Weigh your glove on a scale before beginning step number one and after you finish step number 4. This will give you a better idea of ​​how much water you were able to get out of your leather glove after the drying steps.

Tip #2: Don’t use heat

Whatever you choose, make sure you are NOT using a heat source. We’ve heard it all at JustGloves. The most common are hair dryers and clothes dryers, ovens and even microwaves. We strongly advise against this, as such heat destroys all leather and, above all, dries out your gloves and makes them unusable.

Tip #3: Don’t wring out your glove

It will be tempting to try wringing out your glove much like you would a wet towel. Avoid this as it will cause further damage and can completely ruin your gauntlet.

Tip #4: Redesign your glove

When all is said and done, it’s best to remold your glove. There’s a good chance your bag has changed.

Watch as glove expert Logan explains how to break in your glove

There you have it. Our five-step process with top tips on how to fix your wet baseball or softball glove. We are aware that this is a lengthy process and that it is not the quickest solution, but it really is the best solution. If for any reason you go through these steps and your glove is still unusable, don’t hesitate to contact our glove experts. They will be happy to help you buy a new glove. They are available 24/7 via email at [email protected], by phone at 866-321-4568 or via live chat on our website. Don’t forget, we’re here at Click to Catch!

PS It’s never a bad idea to have multiple gloves. One for practice and one as your “gamer”. The JustGloves Bundle & Save program is designed to do just that! We now offer every player the ability to create their own deals by purchasing multiple baseball or softball gloves at once.

Looking for a practice glove or a new glove in general? Check out our gloves below or browse our baseball gloves for more options.

Taking care of your leather gloves shouldn’t be difficult – when quality comes first, you should end up with little to do. A good leather glove, like ours, should hold its shape and definition for decades and should have a very easy return on investment. Still, we’ve seen firsthand how popular a pair of gloves can become. With gloves that last this long, they certainly need a little maintenance…

But there are so many questions! Can you wash leather gloves? How do you clean the lining of leather gloves? Do leather gloves shrink when wet!? Don’t panic…we’re here to help with all your glove needs.

From waterproofing to avoiding stretching, we’ve put together our complete guide to caring for your leather gloves so they last as long as possible… You can thank us later…

How to impregnate leather gloves

Let’s start at the very beginning… When your new leather gloves arrive, is there anything you can do to waterproof and protect them from the elements?

It is worth remembering that leather is a “skin”, meaning it has a natural resilience to the elements. As long as you don’t spontaneously jump into the sea, your gloves should be fine.

That said, there are a number of high street brands that make products that enhance your leather gloves’ natural resistance to rain. Nikwax is the best known of these. While these are useful, they can affect the look of your gloves – especially if your gloves are light colored.

The most important thing to remember is whether protection or not, if your gloves get very wet, NEVER WITH EXTERNAL HEAT ie. H. A radiator, fire, or clothes dryer, DRY. Your gloves should be left to dry to avoid tearing and drying out. Leave them alone…they know what they’re doing.

Once your gloves are dry, we recommend rubbing in some neutral leather cream to keep them soft. Leather creams are available at most local department stores.

How to clean leather gloves

As with most things with quality leather, cleaning or washing your leather gloves should be done with the utmost care and only when absolutely necessary.

The colors are always delicate because the hides are “full bloom” – tanning and dyeing additives are natural and therefore fixing the color is fine, but washing with inappropriate chemical additives will damage the gloves.

However, if your gloves are slightly soiled and you want to clean them, the following steps may work…

Prepare a lukewarm solution of pure soap flakes – like “Lux”.

Wipe your leather glove gently with a cloth rather than a sponge which will crumble.

Never wash them in a washing machine or completely submerge them in water.

Allow them to dry naturally and place them on the glove wearer’s hands a few times while drying to allow the gloves to stretch and regain the correct fit.

How to prevent stretching with leather gloves

Over the years many people have asked us, “How do I keep my leather gloves from stretching?” and we have a simple answer to that… ‘you shouldn’t have to’.

Leather is nature’s gift to the glove maker. Its natural elasticity and recovery allows the hand to pass through the narrow part of the glove and then mold around the hand and wrist.

It is the art of the glove tailor to select the right piece of leather for each part of the glove and then prepare the leather to retain just the right amount of elasticity that makes a perfect leather glove.

So our advice to you is this: invest in a quality pair of gloves that will last a lifetime and make sure you choose the right glove size for your hand. Do this and you should never have to worry about your gloves getting out of shape…

How to clean the lining of leather gloves

At Cornelia James, our gloves are lined with either silk, wool or cashmere for added comfort and warmth. Unfortunately, due to the nature of leather, they should not be fully submerged in water and therefore the lining is quite difficult to clean.

We do not recommend cleaning the lining of your gloves as you will most likely damage them. Should you feel that you need to clean them, we recommend that you take them to a specialized dry cleaner.

Quality leather gloves should last a lifetime. For us, only the best is good enough. Our leather comes from Pittards, the doyen of glove leather, and some natural tanneries in Italy, where there is a centuries-old tradition of tanning. They really are the best of the best. But… don’t just rely on us – see for yourself!

Our leather gloves

Every baseball or softball player has a special bond with their glove. Every fold and seam has been worked in place by countless catches, holds and hooks. A lot of effort has gone into the design of this glove and it all starts with breaking in.

Players of all skill levels should break in their gloves before play. Breaking in your glove properly will help ensure that it is comfortable to wear and moves well with your hand. Your glove should fit snugly and feel like it’s an extension of your hand. Breaking in your glove adds to this cohesion and eliminates unwanted stiffness or rigidity. It can also create a pocket that holds the ball more securely.

There are several ways to break in your new baseball or softball glove. With the help of these tips and tricks, you can adjust your fit for a season of celebration-worthy catches. Use these steps to break in your glove for the perfect fit and feel.

WET THE LEATHER OF THE GLOVE

Pour a small amount of hot water (150 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit) over each area of ​​your new glove you want to soften. Do not microwave your glove or use detergents to soften the glove as this can damage the leather. You can also apply a small amount of glove oil with a sponge. Never apply glove oil directly to the glove. It can be too concentrated at the point of application, leaving that area soggy and heavy.

MACHIN THE STRONGEST PARTS OF YOUR GLOVE

Once the glove is saturated with warm water or glove oil, flex your thumb and pinky back and forth toward and away from each other to begin breaking those stiff areas of your glove. Squeeze your thumb and little finger together. Press the back fingers down and pinch the palm liner. Pull the web top to stretch it a little. Repeat this process six to eight times before your glove is completely dry.

MAKE THE GLOVE SOFTER

Just like other leather products, your glove should soften with prolonged use. To speed up this process, you can soften your glove by hitting the pocket where you would catch the ball with a mallet or a 5-pound neoprene dumbbell. Also hit the fabric to create a crease where you want your glove to break. This can help create a nice valley for the ball to fall into and iron out unwanted creases for a smooth bag finish. If you don’t have a hammer or dumbbell, try to tossing a ball in the pocket about 30 times before the glove dries. Slapping the pocket further helps the leather conform to your hand for the ultimate break-in.

MOLD THE GLOVE

Put a ball in the pocket and wrap 2-3 rubber bands around your glove. The bands should be very snug but not tight, forming an “X” when they overlap. Leave your glove in this way for four to five hours. This helps your glove take on the desired shape as it dries and not revert to its natural shape. Hit the pocket again after removing the ball to work the pocket even more.

JUST PLAY FATCH

The most fun way to break in your baseball or softball glove is to just play tag with it as much as possible. Because of catch grounds, your glove will slowly begin to conform to your hand and the leather will loosen with each catch. Playing tag every day is the best way to ensure your glove penetrates your hand structure, as no oil, cream or whipping treatment can beat a good old throw when it comes to recreating real-world gaming experiences.

In addition to these techniques, you can also rely on the professionals at DICK’S Sporting Goods. Use the in-store glove steamer service to improve your glove’s playability in no time.

GLOVE CARE ALL SEASON

Remember to keep your glove in your home – rather than in the trunk of your car or in your garage – for longer life and better condition. Don’t forget to also condition the leather of your glove by applying a small amount of oil or glove conditioner every now and then during the season. It’s also a good habit to treat your glove before storing it for the off-season.

BONUS PRO TIP: Use conditioners and oils sparingly. Over-conditioning your glove can be harmful as the oils can add weight to your glove and even shorten the life of the leather. About three to four treatments per season should be enough to keep your equipment in top condition all year round.

There are no shortcuts to a properly broken-in softball or baseball glove, but if you use these helpful tips and do as many trap grounds as possible, your new glove should be diamond-ready in no time.

Do you need a new glove for the coming season? Learn how to buy a baseball glove that fits your game needs and budget with this helpful pro tip rundown.

A quality baseball glove is one of the most important investments a baseball or softball player can make in their game.

Choosing the right glove for your position and playing style can make a huge difference in your performance. No glove alone can make you a better defender, but choosing a glove that fits properly and feels comfortable can give you more confidence on the field and help you play cleaner and more consistently.

However, that confidence comes with a hefty price tag, as top-of-the-line baseball and softball gloves typically cost $300-$400. Even if you choose a model slightly below the “Elite” category, you will spend $150-$250 for a decent leather glove.

Because of this, many players and parents (especially those buying their first quality glove) want to know how to care for them. And one aspect of that is breaking in properly.

By knowing how to break in a baseball glove properly, you can ensure that it will last and perform for years. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there about the right and wrong methods, and if you’re not careful, you’ll do more harm than good.

In this post, we’re going to talk about how to break in a baseball glove properly, and we’ll explain why many of the most common methods are counterproductive.

How to pull in a baseball or softball glove

Congratulations on your recent purchase! High-quality leather gloves are expensive, but they show that you’re serious about the game and ready to take it to the next level. Top of the range models like the Wilson A-2000 and Rawlings Heart of the Hide are expensive, but if you take proper care and care of your new glove, it will see you through many seasons.

Why do baseball gloves need to be broken in?

One of the things that makes leather such a valuable and versatile material is its durability. But unused leather just off the assembly line is often rock hard, and the leather used by baseball glove makers is no different.

If you’ve ever tried catching a ball with a brand new glove, you know exactly what we’re talking about. It’s almost impossible to squeeze them shut and the ball pops out like it’s been thrown against a brick wall.

While gloves made from synthetic materials are ready-to-play off the shelf, gloves made from real cowhide or oxhide need to be softened. Depending on the leather quality, the break-in period can last from days to weeks.

Breaking in a genuine leather glove is worth it, however, as its form and function far surpasses what synthetic materials can offer.

How to break in a baseball glove – the right way

Former Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra had a rule: no one else was allowed to put their hand inside their glove. Nomar’s rule is widely used among elite ball players.

Why? Because when you pull in a glove, the leather stretches and conforms to your hand, adapting to your movements. You want a glove that feels natural on your hand, like it’s an extension of your arm that you forget is even there.

So what’s the best way to break in a baseball glove? ⁠ The one you should go with if possible ⁠ – is also the simplest: Catch baseball with it. Over time and reps, the glove will naturally mold to your hand, providing a custom fit and pocket designed to match how you catch the ball.

There are shortcuts you can use to soften a leather glove more quickly, but none of them will produce the same quality of results. If you want the best fitting and best performing glove, you have to break them in by using them. Also, breaking in a glove by catching it does not damage the leather, which is a risk associated with some of the expedited methods detailed in this article.

So throw, take ground balls, fly balls, hit the pocket; Whenever you can catch a ball with your gloved hand, do so. It will take time, but it will be totally worth it.

How to quickly break in a baseball glove

The quickest way to break in a glove is a combination of warm water and improper handling. Shigeaki Aso from Wilson Sporting Goods – one of the world’s leading glove gurus – explains the process in the video below.

What you will need:

A bucket of hot water (not boiling)

A cup

A soft surface (a pillow or rug)

Glove hammer/glove hammer

Before we dive into the specifics, it’s worth noting that despite Aso’s esteemed reputation, there’s some debate over the effectiveness of his method.

Aso is a professional leather processor that makes the finest gloves in the world. He knows what he is doing. Aso’s method uses water, making the leather easier to work with, but it can become dry and brittle if not applied properly. So if you decide to take this approach, follow the instructions closely – and understand that mistakes can damage your glove.

There are two types of glove hammers you can use for this approach: one of them has a spherical shape at the end to shape the pocket, and the other is more of a flat tool that you just hit the glove with.

To break in the glove using this method, fill the mug with hot water and pour it over the glove. This loosens up the leather and makes it more malleable. Do not soak the glove as this will lead to saturation and subsequent over-drying.

If the glove is slightly wet you should focus on applying as much pressure as possible to the area indicated by the yellow arrow in the image below. This is the area that needs to flex (because the glove needs to close to catch a ball).

This is where the glove hammer comes into play. Use the hammer to pound the pocket, which will loosen the crease and fold the glove.

From here, another great way to shape the bag is to put your hand in the glove and use the hammer. This can help ensure you get the same type of custom fit that you would get if you just played tag, albeit most likely to a lesser extent.

Damping a baseball glove

Steaming your glove is easy, quick and effective. However, the process can negatively affect the fibers of the leather. (Therefore, steaming voids Wilson’s one-year glove warranty.)

Steaming your glove makes it softer, but also makes it less durable. Players also tend to find that steamed leather doesn’t hold its shape and continues to sink in until it becomes almost too soft to use.

So this can be a viable option if you need a ready-to-play glove today…just don’t expect this glove to last you more than a season.

The easiest way to dampen your mitt is to let Dick’s do it for you.

There are three steps in their vaping process:

The technician applies glove conditioner – this allows the pores of the leather to open and soften during steaming. The technician places the glove in a glove steamer – this softens the leather to make it more malleable. The technician takes out the mitt and begins hitting it with a hammer to loosen key areas. This process is repeated a number of times.

glove box

Gloves wrapping can be a decent additional method to break in your glove. There are two schools of thought: diapering with a ball in the pocket and diapering without the ball in the pocket. Only one of these is correct; You should always wrap your glove with a ball in your pocket. (You can learn more about this in the Mattress Method section below.)

Wrapping your glove is not a complex process.

Close the glove (with a ball in the pocket) and touch the pinky and thumb together. Wrap the glove with string, elastic, rubber bands, or anything else that will hold it securely in this closed position. Leave it for a few days, unwrap it and repeat the process.

Wrapping the glove stretches the leather and holds it there for a longer period of time, which should make the job easier.

glove conditioners and oils

Glove care products and oils can be used during and after the break-in period. The first rule when using glove conditioners and oils is to only use manufacturer-approved products.

Don’t put petroleum jelly, petroleum jelly, or olive oil on your glove—all of these will damage and/or saturate the leather (and leave it greasy, heavy, or dry out).

Five of the best-selling glove care conditioners are listed below. You can sometimes find these at a local sporting goods store or order them on Amazon using the following links:

When it comes to oils and conditioners, a little goes a long way. In general, all you need to do is apply a light coat and gently rub it in with a clean cloth.

The purpose of these products is to maintain the health of the leather and in some cases to soften it. Using too much can lead to saturation which can ruin the glove.

Also keep in mind that you generally don’t need (or want) to soften the webbing of your glove as it is thinner than the body of the glove and should shrink quickly on its own.

Note that mink oil can be particularly helpful in making leather products more water-resistant.

The wrong way to break in a baseball glove

Above we have listed a few different methods for breaking in your new baseball glove. Now it’s time to shut down, which you should (under no circumstances) do.

Don’t: Microwave or bake your mitt

Microwaves and ovens are for food. Gloves are leather and leather is not edible. So let’s keep the glove away from the microwave or oven!

Some people think that using ovens softens leather. That may be true at first, because heat makes leather more supple. However, hot air tends to be dry – and that’s certainly true of the hot air in an oven.

When you bake a glove, it draws moisture from the leather. This means the glove will be dry (and sometimes brittle) as it cools.

A Wilson A-2000 left in a car.

Don’t leave your glove in the car

Cars get hot if you leave them in the sun. In fact, they’re like mobile ovens…which leads some people to think that leaving a glove on a hot dashboard might be a good alternative to microwaving or baking.

But you get similar results (as shown above) if you leave your glove in a hot car: a dried out glove that no glove conditioning product can fix.

Don’t: Break in your glove with shaving cream

One of the most common tips for breaking in a glove is to use Barbasol shaving cream as a conditioner. Shaving cream used to contain lanolin, a natural oil derived from sheep.

Lanolin happens to be a pretty good leather conditioner. But today almost no shave contains lanolin. Barbasol Shaving Cream has a little, but not a significant amount.

What every shaving cream contains is a bunch of chemicals and artificial compounds not designed to treat leather.

What happens if you use shaving cream when the gloves are broken in?

Well, by now you may have realized that the nemesis of a well-conditioned glove is dryness. As with heat, the chemicals in shaving cream can pull moisture out of the leather. Additionally, some of the chemicals have compounds that can actually degrade and weaken the leather fibers. This can significantly reduce the life of your glove.

Don’t: put your glove under a mattress

The theory behind the mattress method is similar to that of the glove wrap: by forcing the glove into the closed position, you stretch the leather, making it more pliable faster. However, the results of these two approaches are very different.

Wrapping your glove with elastics or cords allows you to gently stretch the leather along the crease, resulting in a glove that folds properly. Conversely, the mattress method creates a flattened glove that looks like a leather pancake.

Gloves should not be flat or slack; They should be semi-solid and generally hold their shape even when there is no ball in the pocket. Placing your glove under the mattress over-compresses the heel (the rigid leather stick at the base of the palm) which is a key part of what gives a glove its shape.

When a glove is broken in the right way, you barely have to squeeze it to catch the ball, as the momentum of the ball hitting the pocket will pull the glove into a closed position almost by itself. However, if you create a crease in the heel, you end up with a slack glove that you have to actively squeeze to keep the ball from falling out.

frequently asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about baseball glove shrinkage.

How do you break in a baseball glove overnight?

There is no safe way to break in a baseball glove overnight without also damaging the leather.

Theoretically, a glove could soften that quickly when exposed to very high heat (e.g. in an oven) or very high pressure (driven over with a car). But these methods will leave you with a dry, deformed glove that performs poorly and lacks durability. If you need a ready-to-play glove tomorrow, you’re better off buying a used one that’s properly broken in.

Can you use shaving cream to break in a baseball glove?

Shaving cream is a poor glove conditioner because it contains chemicals and substances that dry out leather over time, including triethanolamine (an alcohol), isobutane (a gas product used in industrial manufacturing), sodium lauryl sulfate (a cleaning agent), and Propane.

How to properly break in a baseball glove – conclusion

As you work on your new baseball glove, remember that it will take time to break in.

People love to offer different ways to speed up the process, but these methods can often do more harm than good. The best way to break in a glove is to catch balls with it. Any other method involves risks and disadvantages and should be avoided if possible.

If you don’t need the glove ready to use right away, use it during warm-up until ready to use. If you need to speed things up, catching balls thrown by a throwing machine can be a great way to speed up the process.

When it comes to caring for your glove, use oils and conditioners in moderation.

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Athletes are often attached to their sports equipment. As pieces of equipment such as baseball gloves are used over time, they shrink, conform to the contours of the wearer’s hand, and become more comfortable to use. It can be heartbreaking to see a favorite glove go moldy or mildew in the off-season, especially when you’ve used the glove for multiple seasons. As long as the stitching and surface of the glove are still intact, it is possible to remove mold from a glove and make the leather less moldy in the future.

Step 1 Remove lacing from glove. Depending on the condition of the laces, you may need to cut them if you can’t remove them without damaging them.

Step 2 Brush the glove dry with a leather cleaning brush or other stiff nylon bristled brush. This removes mold from the leather and also removes dust, dirt and other debris from the folds of the leather so that the debris does not interfere with the cleaning and preservation treatments.

Step 3 Wipe down the mitt with a mixture of equal parts vinegar or lemon juice and water. This will clean the glove while the acidity of the vinegar or lemon juice will kill any remaining mold or mold spores on the glove surface. Clean the entire glove surface, including crevices that have developed over time.

Step 4 Place the glove in a warm, dry place to air dry. Allow the glove surface to dry completely before proceeding with surface treatment. If you used lemon juice during the cleaning process, wipe the mitt a second time with water only and allow to dry again.

Step 5 Apply a leather treatment to the glove to soften the material while preventing further shaping. Use leather wax, leather polish, sports equipment leather treatments, or other products such as petroleum jelly.

Step 6 Once the treatment is completely dry, allow the glove to air dry again and buff with a rag if necessary. Change the glove, if necessary use a new lacing.

01/31/2021

There is nothing worse than a wet or rain-soaked glove. Players and parents can agree on that. We’ve all been through that. Accidentally left your glove outside in the rain? Did the sprinklers come on while your glove was on the field? Maybe your water bottle broke in your glove bag. Or maybe you attended a game that was delayed or canceled entirely due to rain.

Whatever happened, water and leather don’t mix well. Water combined with leather removes protective oils that contribute to the overall durability of your glove. It also causes your shoelaces to weaken and can eventually tear. But fear not, the JustGlove team is here to answer the following questions:

“What do I do if my glove gets wet?”

“How should I dry my wet baseball or softball glove?” ”

These tips will help you know what to do when leather gets wet in general, and how to dry your soaked glove. Let’s start.

Step #1: Use a towel to soak up moisture

First things first: If the leather gets wet, use a clean towel (or towels) to pat your glove dry and massage while applying pressure to try to absorb excess moisture. If you have multiple towels, we recommend using them in three main places:

Bag: Take the first towel and stuff it in the bag with a ball so you don’t ruin your bag. Finger Cots: Take a second towel and stuff it into the wrist opening and finger cots, if possible. Entire glove: Take the third towel and wrap it around the entire glove.

Keep an eye on the towels and make sure you don’t use damp or completely wet towels. It’s best to swap them out frequently. Better safe than sorry. Note that you can also use paper towels or even newspaper for this step. However, we recommend using a real towel if you have access to it.

Step #2: Use a fan for deeper drying

If you have a fan, great. If not, you can skip this step. But it is highly recommended. Most box fans are relatively inexpensive and can be found and purchased at your local supermarket for ~$20.

Once you have a fan set up, turn it on and point it directly at the wet leather of your glove. Or better yet, lean your wet baseball glove against your fan’s face. Do this on and off for several hours while making sure your glove doesn’t get too hot or too cold. Make sure that if your fan has an air conditioning or heating function, that function can be turned off.

Step #3: Apply glove oil to rehydrate

You patted your glove dry and let it air out in front of a fan. You’re done now, aren’t you? Not correct. Applying leather glove oil is the next step in ensuring your wet baseball glove is ready to play again. And remember, less is more when it comes to glove oil. This step is to ensure your glove doesn’t dry out after step 1 and step 2 and also to bring the original color back to your glove. It will also help return oil that may have been washed away by the water.

If you don’t have glove oil, you’ve come to the right place! The JustGloves Glove Care Kit includes not only a professional grade soft glove conditioner, but also applicator sponges, a wooden glove hammer and more! It’s really designed to help you take care of your glove season after season.

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Step #4: Let it sit overnight

Leave your glove in a dry place indoors overnight. Avoid direct sunlight and all other weather influences. This step is important to allow the leather to return to its normal shape and color after it has been wet.

Step #5: Repeat if necessary

Once you have completed steps 1 through 4, you may need to repeat them until you are comfortable with the look and feel of the leather on your glove.

Now that we’ve gone through the five step process of drying a baseball glove, here are a few additional tips that may help.

Tip #1: Weigh your glove

Weigh your glove on a scale before beginning step number one and after you finish step number 4. This will give you a better idea of ​​how much water you were able to get out of your leather glove after the drying steps.

Tip #2: Don’t use heat

Whatever you choose, make sure you are NOT using a heat source. We’ve heard it all at JustGloves. The most common are hair dryers and clothes dryers, ovens and even microwaves. We strongly advise against this, as such heat destroys all leather and, above all, dries out your gloves and makes them unusable.

Tip #3: Don’t wring out your glove

It will be tempting to try wringing out your glove much like you would a wet towel. Avoid this as it will cause further damage and can completely ruin your gauntlet.

Tip #4: Redesign your glove

When all is said and done, it’s best to remold your glove. There’s a good chance your bag has changed.

Watch as glove expert Logan explains how to break in your glove

There you have it. Our five-step process with top tips on how to fix your wet baseball or softball glove. We are aware that this is a lengthy process and that it is not the quickest solution, but it really is the best solution. If for any reason you go through these steps and your glove is still unusable, don’t hesitate to contact our glove experts. They will be happy to help you buy a new glove. They are available 24/7 via email at [email protected], by phone at 866-321-4568 or via live chat on our website. Don’t forget, we’re here at Click to Catch!

PS It’s never a bad idea to have multiple gloves. One for practice and one as your “gamer”. The JustGloves Bundle & Save program is designed to do just that! We now offer every player the ability to create their own deals by purchasing multiple baseball or softball gloves at once.

Looking for a practice glove or a new glove in general? Check out our gloves below or browse our baseball gloves for more options.