Regardless of what adventure you take your Extremities gloves on, you will need to take care of them to achieve maximum performance. Routinely taking care of your GORE-TEX gloves will ensure the highest performance, alongside extending their lifespan.
This guide will focus on GORE-TEX® Gloves made by Extremities. If you wish to replicate this on other Extremities gloves, then be sure to check the care label to make sure it won’t damage your gloves.
Washing your GORE-TEX gloves
- The first step before even getting your cleaning products out is to check there is no dirt or grit inside your gloves. Shake out your gloves to make sure the finger cavities and palm is clear of grit and dirt.
- Do not use your washing machine, this process has to be done by hand – fill your sink or a bowl with lukewarm water and use a small amount of liquid detergent, making sure to not use bleach or fabric softeners as this will damage the glove.
- Submerge each glove individually in the water, gently rubbing the outer with your hands until you are happy that your gloves are clean.
IMPORTANT: If your gloves are made out of leather or have leather palms, then you should read the care instructions before starting. Only use a small amount of water when cleaning them and do not flip the glove inside out, as this can damage the leather.
Drying your GORE-TEX gloves
Once you are done with the washing process and are satisfied that they are clean, move on to the drying process. Drying is important because damp gloves can lead to mold and your gloves may start to smell.
- Start by gently squeezing out the water, beginning at the fingers and moving down to the wrist. Once you are happy you can’t get any more water out, hang them up with the wrist facing down to allow the water to drip out.
- Don’t place them in the sun or on a heater, as this will damage the membrane and the performance capabilities of your gloves will decrease.
PRO TIP: Before your gloves are fully dried, put your hand inside the gloves and make a fist to restore their original shape. This can also make them more comfortable to wear as they have practically moulded to your hand.
Reapply
If, after the previous steps, water continues to bead or run off your GORE-TEX® gloves, then you are not required to do this step, unless you wish to.
After some time, your gloves will no longer bead water and they will lose begin to absorb it instead. It is important to note that your gloves will still be waterproof due to the GORE-TEX® membrane, but they will lose their ability to breathe, leading to the build-up of condensation inside the glove. To combat this:
- Re-apply a durable water repellent (DWR), which can be done at home by simply spraying the DWR onto the gloves and leaving it to dry.
- For leather gloves, it is important that you use a water-based leather care product to reproof your gloves.
Check out the range of Extremities gloves here.
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