Youth Goalkeepers: 3 Tips for How to Wash Goalie Gloves
How to Wash Goalie Gloves
As a parent of a goalkeeper, you know that proper care and maintenance of your child's goalie gloves are essential to their success on the field. Not only do well-cared-for gloves perform better, but they also last longer and save you money in the long run. In this blog post, I'll discuss why it's essential to wash your gloves before and after each game, how to wash them properly, and how to store them when they're not in use. By following these simple tips, you can extend the life of your gloves and help your child perform at their best.
Step 1. How to wash goalie gloves
Even as a goalkeeper coach, it's incredible how often I ask keepers the last time they washed their goalkeeper gloves. And it's always prompted by their performance during training. Poor performance, to be specific. Look, it's essential to wash gloves before each use and after each game (Pro tip: after every 2-3 uses for the 12-year-old and younger GK's) for two reasons. First, remove any dirt or debris that may have accumulated on the gloves. Simply put, dirty gloves significantly impact the performance of the glove and the goalkeeper. Second, washing your gloves will help you to prevent the spread of bacteria. Soccer goalies are constantly coming into contact with balls, grass, and other players - all of which can lead to the build-up of dirt and bacteria on their goalkeeper gloves. If this build-up is not removed before each use, it can lead to skin irritations or infections. Not to mention, nasty-smelling gloves stink up cars, soccer bags, homes, and closets. Yuck!
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To wash your gloves properly, start by soaking them in warm water with a small amount of glove wash for about 10 minutes. Then, using a soft brush or sponge, gently scrub the gloves' palms, fingers, and backs until all of the dirt and grime has been removed. Ensure to rinse the gloves thoroughly to remove any residual soap or glove wash. Squeeze gloves to remove as much water as possible. Do NOT wring out gloves like a dish towel.
Step 2. How to dry goalie gloves
After washing, it's essential to dry your gloves naturally in a well-ventilated space. No matter how tempting it may be, do not put them in the dryer, as the heat will damage the latex and shorten the life of your goalie gloves. If not immediately, ruin them. Instead, hang them up or lay them flat to air dry. My preference is to hang them in a dark space. Once completely dry, store them in a cool, dry place until they're needed again. High-quality gloves, like those sold by Advantage Goalkeeping, are made with lightweight materials allowing them to dry in 1.5 to 2 days.
Step 3. How to store your goalie gloves
When not in use, it's essential to store gloves in a cool, dry place. Do not leave them in your bag, as the moist environment will cause the gloves to develop mold and mildew. Moldy gloves are not only smelly but can also cause skin irritations. If you're looking for a long-term storage solution, consider investing in a goalkeeper glove bag. These specially designed bags allow you to store multiple gloves and other goalie gear in one place while keeping everything organized.
By following these simple tips, you can extend the life of your gloves and help your child perform at their best. Goalkeepers are a special breed, and they need the best gear to perform at their best.