Quote:
Originally Posted by t3rm1n80r Hello All,
I've been using Rynox Storm Evo full gauntlet riding gloves for less than a year. Now due to the increase in ambient temperatures and increased perspiration, they've started to stink from the inside, so much so that with a 30 min ride with those gloves, the stink gets transferred to my hands.
1) So far I'd been storing them upside down in open spaces so as to expedite the sweat evaporation rate, but that has only helped a little.
2) I've tried using Motul helmet interior cleaner. But that didn't help.
3) Fortnine in one of his video demonstrated that an old pair of gloves are less protective than a new one. Hence, I'm reluctant to wash them even with baby soap/shampoo, as I think it might increase wear.
4) Would 99.9% isopropyl alcohol be safe to use on them? I'm assuming it might dry out the leather similar to a hand sanitizer drying out human skin. But then a leather conditioner can be used immediately after.
What are your thoughts? How do you clean your gloves? Is there any standard procedure of cleaning the interior of full leather gloves?
Thanks! |
Do not use ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL to clean your gloves fully. You can use a few drops over a cotton swab/ball and wipe out hard stains over the glove, but never fully. Helmet cleaners are a hogwash, personally. I've tried the best brands out there and it doesn't simply clean/refresh the liners as a simple hand wash "n" squeeze would.
I've always used zero detergent for washing any riding gear head to toe, be it leather or nylon i.e. textile. My modus operandi is simple.
Step 1
Warm the water up nice and hot (not piping hot) but comparatively hot enough. Let your glove, jacket, helmet liner or boots or your gear of choice soak in for 15 to 20 mins. I individually squeeze them slowly and progressively without wringing them much. By dipping them in water and squeezing them multiple times, the accumulated muck, grime loosens up and eventually you will see the color of the water turn brown to deep black which is a good indicator of the goods being cleaned. I follow the above process 2 to 3 times till the water color is to satisfaction.
Post this I simply tumble dry (not hot air dry) on my washing machine for 30 seconds and by the time it's out it's 95% dry. I make sure it's dried 100% by letting it hang loose clipped inside home over a clothesline and not outside directly under sun. Leather if it's made to sit directly under sun, will start to fade, harden and crack.
Let me share a secret of mine, it's worked for me and served me well all these years. I use good quality coconut oil dabbed over a small cotton ball and patching it over leather and mildly rubbing it till it comes to a shine and let it sit for a day. This way it's nourished, shiny and ready to go. The key is to use extremely less coconut oil as possible over a cotton ball and the ball just dabbed over in points and then spread and wiped with a clean rag. Using too much coconut oil for the sake of it, will dampen and soil the leather which will take eons to dry.
Coming to your quandary, firstly. Try to get a pack of silicate dessicant and place it inside the gloves whenever you take your gloves off, esp overnight. These absorb moisture to an extent and helps prevent foul smell. Secondly, you can definitely use mild soapy solutions such as baby shampoo which are less harsh and use the above method I've explained to extricate grime out, it works really well.
Do not use detergents, clinic plus and the likes, they are harsh though they smell good they eventually dry the goods pretty quickly. Baby shampoo and additive less shampoos are your best bet. If you're still apprehensive, my method, hot enough water and soaking it well and squeezing it out works extremely well.
Secondly, the EVO gloves aren't perforated enough to allow air flow in and these simply aren't an everyday glove. This is where summer gloves or partial leather cum textile gloves come into play. These are well ventilated, offer great ventilation, plus they are 90% more than enough for city, daily usage/riding. My recommendation would be that you get yourself a pair of short cuff, ventilated textile cum leather glove which would mean your hands breathe better and in turn less perspiration and better usability.
Good luck. All these are my personal anecdotes maturated with real world experience, so do take it with a pinch of salt.
Cheers!
VJ