The Ultimate Guide to Muay Thai Gear Maintenance: Stop the Stink!
Let’s have an honest conversation. There is nothing—and I mean nothing—worse than drilling the clinch with a partner whose gloves smell like a dead animal.
I have sent students home for having dirty gear. It’s not just about the smell; it’s about safety. That funky odor? It’s bacteria. It’s mold. It’s potential Staph infection waiting to happen.
You just spent good money on high-quality equipment. If you want those Fairtex or Twins gloves to last for 5 years instead of 6 months, you need to take care of them.
Here is my professional guide to keeping your gear fresh, clean, and bacteria-free.
The Golden Rule: The “Bag Ban”
Before we talk about cleaning products, you must follow the Golden Rule of Muay Thai
NEVER leave your wet gear inside your gym bag overnight.
Moisture + Darkness + Heat = Bacteria Party. As soon as you get home, open your bag and take everything out. If you leave your sweaty gloves zipped up in a dark bag, they will rot.
How to Clean Your Muay Thai Gloves
Leather is skin. It needs to breathe. You cannot throw your gloves in the washing machine (unless you want to destroy the leather and ruin the foam).
Step 1: The Exterior Wipe
After every session, use a disinfectant wipe or a cloth with a mild anti-bacterial spray. Wipe down the entire outside of the glove. This kills the bacteria you picked up from the floor, the heavy bag, or your partner’s face.
Step 2: The Inside Job (Crucial!)
The inside is where the sweat lives.
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Open the velcro straps completely to maximize airflow.
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Wipe the lining as deep as you can reach with a disinfectant wipe.
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Use “Glove Dogs” or Cedar Chips. These are cheap fabric tubes filled with cedar or charcoal. Stuff them inside your gloves between sessions. They absorb moisture and kill odors naturally.
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Coach’s Tip: If you are broke, stuff them with crumpled newspaper. It absorbs moisture surprisingly well.
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Step 3: Air Dry
Place them in a cool, ventilated area. Do not put them in direct sunlight or use a hair dryer on hot heat. This will crack the leather.
Time for an upgrade? If your gloves are already peeling, cracked, or smell like blue cheese regardless of what you do, it’s time to retire them. Check out my guide on the Best Muay Thai Gloves for Beginners in 2026 to find your next pair.
How to Wash Hand Wraps (Without the Spaghetti Nightmare)
If you just throw loose hand wraps into the washing machine, they will tangle around your clothes, strangle your shirts, and come out in a giant, wet knot.
The Solution: A Mesh Laundry Bag.
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Buy a “delicates” mesh bag (they cost like $2).
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Throw your sweaty wraps inside the bag and zip it up.
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Wash on cold. Hot water can shrink the cotton and ruin the elasticity.
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Hang dry. Do not put them in the dryer; the elastic fibers will break down, and your wraps will lose their snap.
Frequency: Wash your wraps after every single use. Re-using wet, dirty wraps is the cause of “knuckle rot” and bad glove smells.
Shin Guards: The Sweat Trap
Shin guards are tricky because the fabric lining on the back absorbs a ton of sweat, but you can’t machine wash them.
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The Spray Down: Immediately after training, spray the fabric lining with a mix of water and tea tree oil (natural anti-fungal) or a sports gear disinfectant spray.
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Scrub the Foot Strap: The elastic strap that goes under your foot is the dirtiest part. Scrub it with a soapy cloth.
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Hang Vertical: Hang them up by the straps so air can circulate around the padding.
Muay Thai Shorts: Save the Satin
Thai shorts are often made of satin or nylon. They are delicate.
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Wash inside out to protect the patches and tassels.
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Cold wash only.
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Hang dry. Never tumble dry! The heat will melt the elastic waistband and peel off the letters.
Emergency Protocol: “My Gloves Already Stink!”
If you ignored my advice and your gloves smell bad, try these last-ditch efforts before throwing them away:
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The Freezer Method: Put your gloves in a sealed plastic bag and leave them in the freezer overnight. The cold kills some bacteria. (Note: This is a temporary fix; the smell usually comes back once they warm up).
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Vinegar Mist: Spray a light mist of white vinegar and water (50/50 mix) inside. Vinegar kills mold. Let them air dry completely for 24 hours.
Conclusion
Respect the sport, respect your partners, and respect your gear. Taking 5 minutes to clean your equipment after class saves you money and keeps you healthy.
Start building these habits today!
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