How to Care for Your Used Premium Glove

Used Glove Care

Two habits. That’s it.

Wipe it down after you play. Clean and condition it after each season. You can find complicated routines everywhere. This one is built for youth players and parents who need something they will actually do.

A Routine You Can Actually Stick To

You can find complicated glove-care routines everywhere. This is not one of them.

This is a simple routine for youth players and parents who have games, practices, tournaments, homework and everything else competing for their time. Sticking to these basics will go a long way toward keeping a good glove ready for more baseball.

1. After You Play

Wipe it down.

Use a clean microfiber cloth to remove dirt and sweat from the palm, pocket and outside of the glove. Lightly dampen the cloth if needed.

You are not trying to deep-clean the glove after every game. You are just removing the dirt and moisture you do not want sitting on the leather.

Take it out of the bag.

Do not leave the glove buried in a closed equipment bag, especially when it is damp. Let it sit in the open where air can reach it.

If the glove is wet, let it dry naturally at room temperature. No hair dryer. No heater. No hot car.

Help it hold its shape.

Leave a baseball in the pocket, or set the glove upright in a position that supports its natural shape.

Do not leave it lying where the fingers, heel or pocket can slowly collapse under the glove’s own weight. And definitely do not let the rest of the equipment pile up on top of it.

That is the everyday routine: wipe it down, take it out and support its shape.

2. After Each Season

This is when the glove gets a proper cleaning and a light coat of conditioner.

If your player only plays spring baseball, do this at the end of the spring season before the glove sits until next year.

If your player plays most of the year, plan on two or three cleanings. A good rule is to clean and condition the glove after each main season of games, rather than trying to follow an arbitrary monthly schedule.

Clean first.

1. Brush away loose dirt.
2. Apply a small amount of baseball glove leather cleaner to a clean, lightly damp microfiber cloth.
3. Work one small section at a time.
4. Use a second clean, lightly damp cloth to wipe away the dirt and cleaner lifted from the leather.
5. Let the glove dry completely at room temperature.

Then condition.

Once the glove is clean and completely dry, apply a small amount of baseball glove conditioner with a clean cloth.

Use a thin, even layer. Let it absorb, then wipe away anything left sitting on the surface. The glove should not feel wet, heavy or greasy when you are finished.

Store it correctly.

Place a baseball in the pocket or leave the glove sitting upright so it holds its natural shape. Store it somewhere cool and dry, not in a hot garage, damp basement or car trunk.

What Not to Do

• Do not leave the glove wet and dirty in a closed equipment bag.
• Do not condition dirty leather.
• Do not soak the glove in water.
• Do not use a hair dryer, heater, oven or microwave.
• Do not leave it in a hot car or direct sunlight.
• Do not use cooking oil, petroleum jelly or household cleaners.
• Do not apply heavy layers of conditioner.
• Do not store the glove where it will be flattened or left to collapse.

When in doubt, use less product and more patience.

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