How to Care for Goalkeeper Gloves

The pair of gloves a goalkeeper uses in football is his most important asset. These are not as durable as other football equipment. The more expensive gloves with a better grip made of soft latex are the ones which wear and tear easily. These are professional grade gloves that serve a better performance for a shorter period. If you cannot afford to keep replacing your goalkeeper gloves, there are more durable and affordable ones. The period these gloves last in proper playing condition depends on how you care for them. Sweat and dirt cause the latex to wear off. Soil and mud tarnish the softness and dehydrate the gloves. The breathable qualities of your gloves can deteriorate over time, making them uncomfortable to wear. Cleaning the gloves after a game is important to keep them in good condition for your next game.

You can use water at room temperature to rinse off your gloves. Use a little bit of soap or a mild detergent in the case of unpleasant odour and heavy dirt. Use a softer bristled brush to carefully wipe off any dirt that sticks. Avoid using rough bristles as it can damage the latex. Get rid of the excess water gently squeezing bit by bit. Do not wring or squeeze the whole glove at one go. You can dry the gloves with a dryer, wind or mild sunlight. Never expose them to direct sunlight. Do not leave them lying in the sun for too long. The natural moisture and softness of the gloves must be retained. When you store them away after drying, never store them attached together. This could stick the latex together causing damage when separating them. Put away each glove separately in a glove bag or hang them apart. Make sure the gloves are not wet or dirty when you store them. They should be clean and dry.

Keeping a separate set of goalkeeper gloves for training will preserve your gloves for better use in games. These could be a less expensive pair or the same kind. Football equipment used for training is prone to more wear and tear because training is more frequent than actual games. You can use gloves that can take a lot of beating and withstand all playing conditions to minimise the number of purchases you have to make. Keep the wrist band of the gloves less greasy and dirty to maintain its tight and secure grip.