Cleaning leather gloves.

[oldsmocksnewfrocks]

Hi there,
Can anyone help, I have just been given a suitcase full of vintage leather and suede gloves, most of them either white or cream. They have dust and dirt marks on most of them. What is the best way to clean them without causing any damage or shrinkage?
Thanks.

 

[Jonathan]

START by vacuuming them, smudges and dirt marks often come out of especially suede gloves. Then look inside because sometimes they are advertised as washable. I don't know why some are and some aren't, but you could test a pair that advertises itself as washable. I was told by someone who would know, that you are actually supposed to put the gloves on and wash them, like you are washing your hands and dry them as much as possible with a towel while wearing them as well before removing them to dry completely. I can not attest to this working as I have never washed a pair of leather gloves before, but this is what I was told by someone who used to wash their gloves. However, be prepared that they will never look new again - its like a pair of stockings - worn once and they will never look new again.