How to Clean Beekeeping Gloves

   When I first got into beekeeping and started working with bees, I found that my beekeeping gloves started to get really dirty after a while. Beekeeping gloves should be properly cleaned every once in a while as they tend to get very sticky and clumpy in propolis and the smell of bee stings is definitely something you want to avoid. Since there is not much information on this topic, I created this short guide on how to clean beekeeping gloves

How to Clean Different Types of Beekeeping Gloves

So, to better answer this question, let's first take a look at what are the common types of beekeeping gloves:

• Leather gloves (cowhide, pigskin, goatskin, etc.)
• Rubber, latex, neoprene and nitrile gloves
• Garden gloves, work gloves, etc.

Taking a quick look at the list, we can see that using rubber, latex or nitrile gloves means we don't have to do a lot of cleaning. You can easily replace them even after a hive inspection to avoid cross-contamination and keep yourself and the bees cleaner. Neoprene gloves can also be put in the washing machine.

With that, for now, we're left with leather and fabric gloves. They can get very messy over time. They cannot be replaced so easily and frequently, so they need to be cleaned frequently.

How to clean leather bee gloves?

Leather gloves are probably the most common type of gloves used in beekeeping. Plus, there's a good reason for that, as they offer perfect protection from stinging. The biggest downside is that they get really stiff after washing and sometimes you can crush the bees easily because you don't have great sensitivity while wearing them.

How to clean wax, honey and propolis from leather gloves:

1. Start by gently washing the leather gloves with some warm water and soap. This way, you can remove the accumulated honey, wax or propolis.

2. If there are spots that are hard to clean, you can try soaking the gloves in chlorinated water. Concentrated solutions can be found in many supermarkets or online, and can be diluted according to the directions on the bottle. This will break down the propolis and wax and will also sanitize the leather.

3. Rinse gloves and allow to dry. Allow them enough time to dry naturally. In the meantime, you can try wearing them for short periods of time to properly stretch and fit your hands.

4. While the leather gloves are still slightly damp, make sure to treat the leather with a suitable oil/conditioner to protect the surface and make the break-in period shorter. I've tried a few solutions, but leather honey works best. It's reasonably priced and I've heard the manufacturer refunds you if you're not satisfied.

How to clean fabric beekeeping gloves?

First off, let me first warn you never try to wipe a honey stain with a paper towel. This is a big no-no. It just causes the honey to smudge even more.

To clean wax, honey and propolis from fabric gloves:

1. First wipe off the excess honey from the gloves. You can use a spoon or spatula. Make sure to scrape off the excess honey from the outside and all the way to the inside. This will prevent the honey spots from spreading further. Wipe off excess honey spots without pushing into the fabric. If the stain starts to form a scab, try using a dull knife to remove it.

2. Rinse the stains off the gloves with hot tap water. If you can turn the glove inside out and work on the stain from the back. This will loosen the stain and make the removal process easier. Use a high pressure spray if you can.

3. Treat the stain with a pre-wash stain remover and prepare it for the next step. You can also try using a little liquid detergent on the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes before continuing.

4. Wash in the hottest possible water temperature and use a type of bleach that is safe to use on fabrics made from gloves. If the stain doesn't go away, try washing the gloves a few times before drying them.