How to Store a Baseball Glove Between Games and Seasons

Updated: October 25, 2026

Good glove storage starts with the condition of the glove, not a universal temperature or humidity formula. Materials and finishes differ, so the safest approach is to dry the glove naturally, avoid damaging heat and moisture, protect it from being crushed, and follow the current instructions for the exact brand and model.

This guide covers practical storage between games and during the off-season. It does not recommend ovens, microwaves, hot cars, tight binding, improvised household treatments, or one conditioning schedule for every glove.

On this page

• Let a damp glove dry before storage
• Avoid heat and direct sunlight
• Protect the pocket and shape
• Keep the glove from being crushed
• Use manufacturer-specific care
• Check the glove during the off-season
• Related baseball resources

Let a damp glove dry before storage

After a game or practice, remove loose dirt and check whether the glove is damp. Blot surface moisture with a clean cloth and let the glove dry naturally in a ventilated place before putting it into a bag, cabinet, or storage bin.

Do not seal a damp glove in a container. Do not soak it to “reset” its shape. The amount of moisture and the correct cleaning method depend on the glove material and the manufacturer’s instructions.

Avoid heat and direct sunlight

Store the glove away from radiators, heaters, ovens, microwaves, clothes dryers, and hot vehicles. Do not use a hair dryer to speed the process. Excessive heat can affect leather, synthetic panels, finishes, adhesives, and laces.

Rawlings’ official glove-care and warranty guidance tells owners of its fielding gloves to use a cool, dry storage area away from direct sunlight. It also excludes gloves that have been microwaved, steamed, boiled, baked, or otherwise heated. Treat this as manufacturer-specific guidance and check the instructions for a different brand.

Protect the pocket and shape

Place the glove where its pocket and fingers will not be flattened by shoes, bats, or other equipment. Some manufacturers, including Rawlings for the fielding gloves covered by its guidance, recommend keeping a ball in the pocket while the glove is not in use.

Do not assume that every glove should be tightly wrapped with rubber bands or string. If the maker supplies a storage or shaping method, follow that method without excessive pressure on the laces or finger stalls.

Keep the glove from being crushed

A shelf, ventilated equipment area, or suitably sized container can protect the glove better than the bottom of a crowded gear bag. Make sure the glove is dry first and that the storage space does not force it into an unnatural shape.

For travel, avoid leaving the glove under heavy equipment. When unpacking, check that the pocket, web, fingers, and laces have not been distorted or damaged.

Use manufacturer-specific care

Conditioner, oil, and cleaning products are not interchangeable. Apply a product only if the glove manufacturer approves it for that material, and use only the stated amount and method. Rawlings advises a light amount of its specified treatment after a season or so for the products covered by its guidance; that is not a universal schedule for every glove.

Avoid petroleum jelly, solvents, ammonia-based cleaners, and other improvised treatments unless the exact glove maker explicitly approves them. Over-oiling can change the glove and may affect warranty coverage.

Check the glove during the off-season

Long-term storage is not “set and forget.” Occasionally inspect the pocket, web, laces, stitching, finger stalls, and surface for obvious moisture, cracking, looseness, or deformation. If the glove is damaged, ask the manufacturer or a qualified glove-repair service whether repair is appropriate.

Before the next season, recheck fit and condition. A child’s hand size and equipment needs may have changed, and cleaning or conditioning cannot make an incorrectly sized or damaged glove suitable.

Related baseball resources

• How to Clean a Baseball Glove: Care Steps and What to Avoid
• Best Baseball Gloves for Kids: 4 Youth Options to Consider
• Summer Sports and Active Play for Kids