How to Remove Mold from Leather Baseball Gloves

In this article, we’ll talk about how to remove mold from leather baseball gloves and provide some tips on how you can stop this from happening. There are few things as unpleasant as a moldy leather baseball glove.

However, sadly, many athletes have to face this situation regularly. Baseball players often use the gloves excessively and may not always take care of properly. They can end up catching mold, especially if you leave them sitting for an extended period.

Let’s start.

It can be sad to watch mold devour your baseball glove. Fortunately, there are ways to remove mold from leather baseball gloves and restore your equipment for future use by manually removing mold and protecting the glove with the use of high-quality leather treatment.

Why Do Baseball Gloves Catch Mold?

Leather provides a great atmosphere for mold to grow, especially when there’s too much humidity or moisture. Think about it, it is natural for gloves to get moist when you wear them for a few hours. Understanding the causes of mold can help understand why baseball gloves catch it.

You sweat excessively when you are on the field and the glove absorbs your sweat. Since there is usually no place for moisture to escape, mold starts to grow within the glove and takes over in no time. Also, storing gloves with moldy items can be very risky as well. It is common for mold to spread from one glove or item to another.

Moreover, it is not just sweating that’s bad for leather baseball gloves. Chlorinated and tap water can also result in mold. This is why athletes have to provide special care to their baseball gloves.

Here’s How to Remove Mold from Leather Baseball Gloves

Waste no time and get to work right away. Here’s a step-by-step on removing mold from leather baseball gloves. The process can take you about an hour and you will be able to get the job done without having to hire the services of a professional.

Just follow these steps:

Step #1: Remove the Lacing

Pick the damaged glove and remove the lacing. In most cases, you will have no difficulty doing so but if the lacing is damaged then consider cutting it off so that you don’t damage the glove while removing it.

Step #2: Dry-brush the Glove

Use a brush to dry-brush the baseball glove. Leather cleaning brushes are suitable for the job but you can also use a brush with stiff nylon bristles if you do not have a leather cleaning brush at your disposal.

Dry-brushing the glove will not only remove mold but also help you get rid of dirt and dust. This is important because buildup can interfere with the cleaning job. 

Step #3: Wipe the Glove

Take a bowl and pour half cup water and half cup lemon juice or vinegar. Wipe the glove using an equal parts mix. You can clean the glove, without damaging the surface, using lemon juice and vinegar, which are acidic. They can also kill any remaining mildew spores or mold that are remaining on the surface of the glove. Also, you can use an equal mix of water and rubbing alcohol. Some reports suggest that rubbing alcohol can help remove mold. 

Make sure to carefully clean every corner of the glove with this mixture. You can use a wipe for this job. Dip it in the mixture and clean the glove. Pay special attention to the services that may have developed due to regular use. 

Step #4: Let it Dry

Inspect the glove and make sure there are no signs of mold. Now, place it in a dry and warm location. It can take the glove a day or two to dry completely. Do not move with the next step until it has fully dried. 

You can also use a fan to speed up the process. You will have to wipe the glove again if you used lemon juice to clean the glove. Wiping once will not be enough. Use water to clean the glove this time and let it dry again.

Step #5: Use a Specialized Product

Use a leather treatment to soften the glove and reduce the risk of mold. When possible, you should use high-quality products designed for leather. You can use petroleum jelly, specialty leather treatments, leather polish, or leather wax for the job.

Only use a specialized product suitable for baseball leather gloves. You should not use conditioners that are for shoes, saddlery, or other types of leather. These products often contain ingredients that may make the leather slick or over-soften it. 

Step #6: Prepare it for Reuse

Let the glove sit to dry one more time. You may choose to buff it with a rag if needed. Use the same technique to remove mold from the lace or buy a new lace to relace your baseball glove.

How Can I Control Mold?

It is natural for mold to appear. The best way to reduce the risk is to be careful. Always store your glove in a dry and clean cloth bag and place it in a well-ventilated area away from other moldy items.

While it is okay to use water to wash your baseball gloves, remember to never store wet gloves. Always let your gloves air dry before placing them in a bag.