So you’ve gotten a new pair of gloves and you want to make sure you get your money’s worth out of them.  For the most part a decent pair of gloves will last at least a year if you don’t do anything to prolong their life. 

So what can you do?  Sweat will weaken the stitching, breakdown the foam and make them stink so much you won’t want to keep your hands anywhere near your face when you train. By following the tips below, not only will they last much longer, but your nose and your training partners will thank you.

1. Freeze ‘em Out – Placing your gloves in your freezer after training overnight will help kill the bacteria in your gloves.  Make sure you put them in a plastic bag first.  The next morning, pull your gloves out and move on to step 2.

2. Air them out Immediately – Once you pull them out of the freezer, place a paper towel roll inside each one to help the air circulate.  Placing them on an air vent will help speed up the process. Bacteria need a moist humid environment to grow.  Placing them in direct sunlight will also help is available.  Getting a vent rack for drying winter boots works great.

3. Use Bacteria Spray – Lysol or Febreeze will help to freshen the scent of the gloves and help  kill some of the bacteria.  If you are in a pinch and forget to do the above, or don’t have time between sessions, this is your best bet.  Make sure it they have time to dry.

4. Don’t Leave them in your Gym Bag – This is the worst thing you can do.  It’s dark, humid and has poor ventilation.  Leaving you gear in your bag will speed up the process and you will suffer with smelly gear or having to buy new gloves.

The same steps can be used for all your gear.  This will save you a lot of frustration with smelly and degrading gear as well as prevent rashes and other skin diseases from popping up.  By following the steps above you will get bored of your gloves long before they break down or become unbearably stinky.

If you‘re fascinated in learning Muay Thai, Call or Text Arashi Do Martial Arts Northat 780-220-5425.  We offer a 30 Day FREE Trial and a Free Training DVD just for coming in.