Let’s be honest. Nobody buys gloves because they’re excited about washing them.
But if you’re training with them most weeks, they’re going to get sweaty, scuffed and a bit grim. That’s what they’re for. The good news is that looking after them takes about five minutes, and it makes a real difference to how they feel and how long they last.
Here’s how I’d do it.
Why bother washing them at all?
Three reasons.
Smell. Sweat and warm kit bags are a bad combination. GLVZ has odour-control fabric built in, but no fabric replaces a wash.
Grip. The silicone grip panels work best when they’re clean. Chalk, skin oils and gym floor dust build up over time, and a dirty palm doesn’t hold as well as a clean one.
Longevity. Sweat sitting in fabric for days isn’t doing it any favours. A quick wash helps the stitching and mesh last.
How to wash them
- Rinse off the worst of it. After a session, a quick rinse under cool water gets rid of surface sweat.
- Wash gently. Use cool or lukewarm water with a mild detergent. Hand washing is easiest, or use a delicates bag on a gentle cycle.
- Skip the fabric softener. It can leave a residue that you don’t want sitting on your grip panels.
- Don’t wring them out. Press the water out gently instead of twisting.
- Air dry. Lay them flat or hang them somewhere airy. Avoid radiators, direct heat and the tumble dryer. Heat is not your grip’s friend.
The most important step is the last one. Don’t zip them back into your gym bag while they’re still damp. That’s how smells start.
Will they stain?
This is the question I get asked most.
No, you won’t get sweat stains. That goes for both colourways, once they’ve been washed.
What you might see is scuff marks from gym floors and kit. Barbells, sleds and rig equipment aren’t gentle.
- Black is the best at resisting scuffs. If you want gloves that look clean for longer, this is the one.
- Pink Orange can mark a little more easily, which is the trade-off for a brighter colour.
In both cases, they’re usually fine after a wash. Think of scuffs as a sign you’ve been training, not as damage.
How often should you wash them?
It depends on how often you train. As a rough guide:
- After hard sessions or races: wash them, especially if they got properly soaked.
- Lighter sessions: a rinse and a proper air dry is usually enough.
- Between sessions: take them out of your bag and let them breathe.
If you’re racing, I’d always wash them before race day so you’re not starting with a day-old, salty pair.
A few small habits that help
- Don’t leave them in a car boot or a sealed gym bag.
- Keep them out of direct sun while drying.
- Have a spare pair if you train several times a week, so one is always dry.
Final thoughts
Gloves are a small part of your kit, but they take a lot of abuse. A quick wash and a proper dry is all they need to keep working properly.
If you’re still deciding whether gloves are worth it, have a read of The Truth About Wearing Gloves in Hyrox. If you’re choosing a size, the size guide will help. And if you’re ready for a pair, you can shop GLVZ Black or GLVZ Pink Orange.