Storing Your Gloves for the Summer

Tossing unwashed winter or driving gloves directly into a closet allows road salts, natural skin oils, and ambient moisture to degrade the materials over months of warm weather. Salt draws out essential moisture from leather, turning pliable grain into stiff, brittle patches that crack along knuckle lines on your first autumn wear.

Start by wiping exterior shells with a slightly damp microfiber towel. Leather gloves benefit immensely from a sparing layer of natural beeswax or lanolin conditioner applied 24 hours prior to storage. Synthetic work and ski gloves should be hand-washed, thoroughly rinsed of detergent, and laid flat to air-dry completely at room temperature.

Wool-lined mittens and shearling gloves are prime targets for clothes moths during summer. Place natural cedar blocks or dried lavender sachets in your wardrobe rather than chemical mothballs, which leave harsh scents that permanently saturate fine animal hides.

If your leather gloves have pre-curved fingers or reinforced armor plates, insert loosely rolled acid-free tissue paper into the palm cavity. This prevents permanent deformation and preserves the anatomical fit so they feel custom-tailored the moment cool weather strikes again.