Got a budding young goalie in the family? If so, you’ll surely want to do all you can to support their development and help them have fun and stay safe on the pitch. A big part of that is making sure they’ve got the right set of junior goalie gloves. 

But that’s only part of the puzzle. To get the best of any goalie gloves, you – or your young keeper – also have to look after them. This guide will help out, covering key stages of goalie glove care. 

The Importance of Maintaining Junior Goalie Gloves 

Like any piece of sports equipment, goalie gloves won’t last forever. They’re not immune to damage, and while they may look tough on the outside, they can wear down surprisingly fast. They have to deal with a lot, after all, like changing weather conditions and repeated impact with rough ground. 

By looking after them, you can help the gloves last much longer. That means you won’t have to worry about replacing them quite so soon, and you’ll get much more value and usage out of each pair. Given that kids gloves can be quite pricey, this is an important benefit. 

Cleaning gloves also has a positive impact on their performance. Let’s say a goalie hits the pitch in gloves that are caked in mud or all worn-out. You don’t have to be a footie pro to see that they’re going to have a tougher time keeping hold of the ball, making saves, and doing what a goalie needs to do. 

With clean gloves, it’s a different story. Without any dirt or grime getting in the way, the goalie should have a much happier and more rewarding game. 

How to Maintain Junior Goalie Gloves 

We’ve seen why maintenance is so important, now let’s look at how it’s done. 

Pre-Wash Before Usage  

The first big maintenance task comes immediately after you buy your gloves. It’s important to pre-wash them before using them on the pitch. This helps to remove any soap, dirt, or chemicals that may be stuck to the surface from the manufacturing process or the shop where you bought them. 

To pre-wash, all you have to do is wash the gloves lightly in warm water, without any soap or other cleaning products. This also helps to activate the gloves’ grip, so it’s definitely worth doing. 

Always Clean After Playing  

Some people only clean gloves every other game or whenever they get around to it. But it’s much better to have a strict cleaning regime and wash junior goalie gloves after every single game.  

However, that doesn’t mean tossing them in the washing machine. The intense heat and movement of a washer can actually damage your gloves. Therefore, it’s better to wash them gently by hand, using warm water and no harsh cleaners or solvents. 

Gently wash away any dirt or mud you see, ideally removing it with your fingers or a light cloth, rather than any rough brushes. If any mud is still caked in, leave the gloves to soak for a while before returning and rubbing the dirt away. 

Let Them Dry Naturally  

Since it’s not recommended to throw goalie gloves in the washer, you can assume that the same also holds true for the drier. Again, the heat and movement of the machine can be harmful to gloves, so let them dry naturally at room temperature instead.  

Put them somewhere safe and dry, away from radiators or other heaters, and give them the time they need to get dry. 

Store Gloves in a Safe Place  

Finally, when your junior goalie isn’t using their gloves, it’s best to keep them in a safe place. Ideally, you should invest in a glove bag to store the gloves away and guard them from external risks like UV light, which can gradually weaken a glove’s grip and damage its latex. 

Whether you have a bag or not, keep your gloves somewhere cool, dark, and dry for best results and maximum longevity. 

Encourage Your Young Goalie to Look After Their Gloves 

Put time and care into your junior goalie gloves, and they’ll pay you back on the pitch.  

That’s the lesson parents and coaches should try to impart to every young goalie. Teach them the basics of glove maintenance, and encourage them to care for their gloves before and between games to get the most from every pair.