How to Keep Boxing Gloves From Smelling

Boxing is a sport that engages your entire body, so you’re bound to work up a sweat in the ring. Because of the heavy gloves and rapid arm movements, you’re guaranteed to build up sweat in your hands. That’s why learning how to keep boxing gloves from smelling is a must.

If you don’t deal with the sweat in your gloves on time, you have bigger problems than just a temporary hygiene inconvenience. Excess musk can do internal damage to your gloves, leading to reduced performance and possibly even a need to replace them. 

Read on below for our tips on dealing with smelly boxing gloves.

Factors that May Cause Smelly Boxing Gloves

The good news is, that by implementing some minor habits into your training routine, you can eliminate or minimise the issue of smelly boxing gloves. These are the top factors to keep in mind:

Not using bandages and hand wraps

Using bandages and hand wraps is a necessity for the optimal training experience. Not only does it keep your hands safe from damage, but it even does wonders for your technique.

Importantly, wearing additional layers is also a good way to deal with moisture. In the same way they absorb impact, bandages soak up a significant amount of the sweat that would otherwise get into your gloves.

People generally clean or change wraps after each workout. Depending on the intensity of your workout or how much sweat you naturally generate, you may even want to change midway through.

Not using glove deodorisers

This is a very useful accessory that boxers often neglect. Glove deodorisers are sacks you slide into your gloves that both absorb moisture and emit a pleasant aroma.

Besides their effectiveness, the good thing about glove deodorisers is that they only take up a few seconds of your day. After a long day of boxing, you can slip these in for twenty-four hours and return to a fresh pair of gloves within a day.

Keeping gloves in your gym bag

Damp equipment mixed with sweaty clothes and tucked into a tight container is a recipe for disaster. To get around hygiene issues, get into the habit of cleaning out your entire gym bag if it’s full of smelly rags. 

If nothing else, you should at least make it a point to remove the gloves from the bag when you get home. 

Wearing gloves too long

Many boxers like to leave their gloves on when taking a break, as it helps them stay in the zone for the rest of their training. While this is important for immersion, letting your hands breathe for a few minutes can make a huge difference.

Taking off your smelly boxing gloves also gives you a chance to give your hands a proper wipe-down. The more thoroughly you clean up during your break, the less likely you are to dampen your gloves.

Not airing out your gloves

Of all the tricks on this list, this one is the easiest to implement. Putting your gloves near a window with the cuff facing the outside will extend their lifespan and help bring moisture damage down to a minimum.

Not using spray

Using ethanol or other forms of spray can do a lot to mask the smell during a sweaty workout. Keep in mind that most of these sprays aren’t antibacterials, so they’re not a substitute for proper sanitation. Think of them as an emergency placebo measure to keep you feeling fresh as you box.

Not hand-washing your gloves

Sometimes, getting rid of the smell inside your boxing gloves is as simple as using soap and water. We recommend filling a small container with warm (not boiling) water and dousing your gloves. 

Throughout the wash, you can lather your gloves with trace amounts of liquid soap or dish detergent. No matter what, though, do not scrub your gloves with a bar of soap. This can cause serious damage, both internal and external. 

After you’re done, leave the gloves to dry. Try to position them upright (with the cuff facing down) so that the water can leak out. After a few hours, give them a dry wipe. Be sure not to use the gloves again until they’re completely dry.

FAQs About Keeping Boxing Gloves From Smelling

Should I replace my smelly boxing gloves?

If you find that you can’t keep your boxing gloves from smelling, chances are the damage has been done. In situations where nothing else works, you may want to consider investing in a new pair of gloves.

Do heavier boxing gloves smell more?

The answer to this is usually yes. Heavyweight boxing gloves tend to have more padding, meaning they induce and absorb more sweat. If you have to use these types of gloves, the best thing you can do is get yourself some wrapping.

Can I wash my smelly boxing gloves in the washing machine?

No, you should never put your boxing gloves in the washer. This can lead to shrinkage or distort the shape of the internal padding. 

A good rule of thumb to remember is that boxing glove maintenance is mostly done by hand. In fact, you’ll find that our tips are both more effective and less time-consuming than waiting for a washing machine timer to hit zero.

Can dirty boxing gloves damage my hands?

Boxing is a very high-risk sport, and your hands and knuckles will often be covered in cuts and open wounds. If these come into contact with bacteria from your gloves, it can lead to an infection.

The more sensitive you are to these kinds of injuries, the more important it is to keep your gloves sanitized. A pus-riddled wound can render your hands unusable, so a messy pair of gloves can actively interfere with your ability to box. 

Conclusion

We hope you learned a thing or two about how to keep your boxing gloves from smelling. A lot of it comes down to building good micro habits – the sooner you commit to them, the better your experience as a boxer will be.

Clean gear performs better and keeps you safer. From proper hand wrap washing to disinfecting your headgear, our care guides are essential reading for every serious athlete