How to Oil a Baseball Glove

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Learn how to clean your glove & protect it from getting ruined
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Purchasing a baseball glove can be an investment because well-made gloves are expensive. There are ways to extend the life of your baseball glove to make your investment last longer. Adding oil to your baseball glove will not only help you break in your glove more quickly by softening the leather, it also will lubricate your glove to prevent it from cracking. [1]

Quick Steps for Oiling a Baseball Glove

  1. Buy the oil recommended by your glove's manufacturer at a sporting goods store.
  2. Pour a little bit of oil between your thumb and forefinger and work it into the leather.
  3. Let your glove dry overnight to let the oil soak in and then wipe off any remaining oil.
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Oiling a New Glove

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  1. Baseball gloves are made of leather, so you’ll want oils and products that are specifically made for leather. The glove manufacturer will probably offer recommendations for oils and conditioners that will work well with their product, which you should be able to purchase at a sporting goods store.
  2. Put a little bit of oil into the pocket, the areas between your thumb and forefinger where you catch balls, and rub it in so that you get a light coating. Make sure there are no globs of oil or other liquids left. [2]
    • If you don’t want to just use your hands, a soft, clean cloth is a good idea. Put a small amount into a clean dish towel, and rub that into the glove.
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  3. Let the glove sit overnight in order for the oil to fully soak into the leather. Make sure it stays in a cool, dry place. The next morning, wipe the glove dry to remove any remaining oil.
  4. This is the last step to breaking in a glove. The best way to do this is by playing catch for a few minutes every day for a few weeks. This will help make the glove form better to your hand, and give you the comfort you want while playing. [3]
    • There are a few other popular methods for making a pocket. Place a baseball or softball into the pocket and tie the glove shut, repeating that process every night after giving it some use. Alternatively, use a hammer to pound the pocket in.
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Part 2
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Cleaning Your Glove

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  1. Once you are done for the day, either in a game or just playing catch, wipe down the glove with a clean rag. Get rid of any dirt or debris on it, and store in a cool, dry place daily. [4]
  2. To give your glove a better clean, put a little bit of cleaner on a damp cloth or sponge. Make sure you wipe the entire glove with the cleaner. This includes parts other than the pocket, including the laces and webbing. [5]
    • Make sure you use the right kinds of leather cleaners. Look for designated baseball glove leather cleaners, or products recommended by the manufacturer. Avoid oil conditioners like linseed oil, mink oil, neatsfoot oil, silicon, or petroleum-based products.
    • Keep your application light. Too much cleaner, or applying it too often, will cause the leather to break down faster.
    • You probably want to do this once a year to help keep your glove lasting for a long time.
  3. Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe off any remaining oil. Then let your glove air dry overnight. Make sure you find a cool, dry place for your glove to sit, which means not in your gym or bat bag. [6]
    • The leather will be a bit stiff after drying, but some regular use should soften it up again quickly.
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Part 3
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Avoiding Mistakes

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  1. You want to make sure you don’t overdo it when you apply cleaner. [7] Make sure you don’t soak the leather. Too much will make it deteriorate faster, the opposite of what you want.
  2. Remember that your glove is made of leather, a specific kind of material. Not all oils are good on leather, and because it is a common material, they will usually say so on the label. Using these oils will break down the material and cause your glove to deteriorate faster.
  3. Keep your glove in a cool, dry place when you are done oiling. Do not use a blow dryer, furnace, or dryer to dry it off. The extra heat will damage the glove, especially since you’ll be letting it sit overnight and not carefully watching it. [8]
  4. Cooking your glove in a microwave is a good way to dry out the leather, making the laces brittle and more likely to break. You can also start a fire if you aren’t watching carefully. Some gloves have metal parts in them as well, which create sparks that will catch fire and damage your microwave.
    • This goes for other heating methods like ovens or your car. While your glove probably won’t catch fire sitting on the dashboard, it will still dry out and become brittle.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you break in a baseball glove?
    Isaac Hess
    Baseball Coach & Instructor
    Isaac Hess is a Baseball Coach, Instructor, and the Founder of MADE Baseball Development and Champion Mindset Training Program, a baseball training program based in Los Angeles, California. Isaac has over 14 years of experience coaching baseball and specializes in private lessons and tournaments. He has played baseball for both professional and collegiate leagues including Washington State University and the University of Arizona. Isaac was ranked as one of Baseball America's top 10 prospects for 2007 and 2008. He earned a BS in Regional Development from the University of Arizona in 2007.
    Isaac Hess
    Baseball Coach & Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Some common materials that are useful for breaking in the glove include baby oil, petroleum jelly, shaving cream, and saddle soap.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    Should I oil my baseball glove?
    Isaac Hess
    Baseball Coach & Instructor
    Isaac Hess is a Baseball Coach, Instructor, and the Founder of MADE Baseball Development and Champion Mindset Training Program, a baseball training program based in Los Angeles, California. Isaac has over 14 years of experience coaching baseball and specializes in private lessons and tournaments. He has played baseball for both professional and collegiate leagues including Washington State University and the University of Arizona. Isaac was ranked as one of Baseball America's top 10 prospects for 2007 and 2008. He earned a BS in Regional Development from the University of Arizona in 2007.
    Isaac Hess
    Baseball Coach & Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Oil softens the leather up a little bit, and it takes care of it. But you should not overdo it. Personally, I don't use anything, I just buy a really high quality glove, and I pay for what I get.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
  • Question
    Do I have to oil the glove completely?
    Community Answer
    No, you just need to focus on the pocket on both sides, the laces, and the fingers.
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      Tips

      • Oiling is one of several ways to break in a glove . If you don’t like the results, consider several other methods to get it ready for use.
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      • Some baseball players do not like using oils on their gloves, believing it will deteriorate the leather faster, and make the glove heavier as it soaks up the liquid. Much of this is based on personal preference, so if you feel comfortable oiling your glove, go ahead and do it.
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      • Wash your hands before applying oil to your glove. Aside from your skin's natural oils, there can be dirt and debris that could aid in deteriorating your glove.
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      References

      1. ↑ Isaac Hess. Baseball Coach & Instructor. Expert Interview. 20 March 2020.
      2. ↑ http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/04/19/how-to-break-in-a-baseball-glove/
      3. ↑ http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/04/19/how-to-break-in-a-baseball-glove/
      4. ↑ http://baseball.epicsports.com/how-to-care-for-a-baseball-glove.html
      5. ↑ http://baseball.epicsports.com/how-to-care-for-a-baseball-glove.html
      6. ↑ http://baseball.epicsports.com/how-to-care-for-a-baseball-glove.html
      7. ↑ Isaac Hess. Baseball Coach & Instructor. Expert Interview. 20 March 2020.
      8. ↑ http://baseball.epicsports.com/how-to-care-for-a-baseball-glove.html
      9. Videos provided by Kevin Gillan

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To oil a baseball glove, you'll need oil that's made specifically for leather, or some baby oil, petroleum jelly, or shaving cream. Once you have an oil to work with, rub it into the pocket of your glove, or the area between the thumb and forefinger, so it has a light coat of oil on it. Then, let your glove dry overnight, wiping off any remaining oil in the morning. Finally, use your glove to play catch every day for a few weeks to help break in the glove and form a pocket. To learn how to clean your baseball glove, scroll down!

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