Glove Care Guide
Leather gloves are designed to be cherished for a lifetime when cared for properly. Rue Gloves are crafted using a premium goatskin leather outer shell with a fully lined shearling sheepskin interior. Each material is chosen for its performance, comfort, and durability, and correct care will allow your gloves to improve with age.
This guide explains how to care for goatskin leather gloves with a shearling lining, ensuring long lasting warmth, suppleness, and protection.
Materials and Construction
The outer shell of Rue Gloves is made from high quality goatskin leather. Goatskin is known for its exceptional durability, natural strength, and soft, supple handle. It offers protection from wind and cold while remaining flexible and comfortable in use. With wear, goatskin develops a natural patina that enhances the look and character of the glove over time.
The lining is natural shearling sheepskin, with wool on the inside. Shearling provides outstanding insulation while remaining breathable and temperature regulating. It is naturally antibacterial and resistant to odour, making it ideal for cold weather gloves designed for regular use.
Caring for the Goatskin Leather Outer Shell
After wearing your gloves, allow them to air out naturally at room temperature. This helps moisture evaporate and preserves the natural oils within the leather.
If the goatskin leather becomes damp, allow it to dry slowly and naturally. Avoid direct heat sources such as radiators, fires, or heaters, as excessive heat can dry out the leather, causing stiffness, shrinkage, or cracking.
To clean the leather shell, gently wipe away surface dirt using a soft, slightly damp cloth. For more thorough cleaning, use a leather cleaner suitable for smooth or fine leather. Always follow the product instructions carefully. Do not soak, machine wash, or fully immerse leather gloves in water.
To maintain softness and durability, apply a high quality leather balm or conditioner designed for gloves or fine leather. Use sparingly and apply with a soft cloth. Always test on a discreet area first, as some conditioners may slightly darken the leather. Occasional conditioning helps preserve suppleness and supports the development of a rich, natural patina.
Caring for the Shearling Lined Interior
The shearling lining requires minimal maintenance. It is naturally antibacterial and does not need regular cleaning.
With use, the shearling in the palm and fingers is designed to pad down and mould to the shape of your hand. This improves suppleness, dexterity, and comfort over time. The upper areas of the glove are designed to retain more loft, maintaining excellent insulation and heat retention.
If desired, the wool can be gently brushed once dry to restore loft in areas where it has compressed. Avoid heavy or prolonged compression of the gloves, as this can reduce the height of the shearling pile, which may reduce insulation performance.
Do not apply leather conditioners, cleaning chemicals, detergents, or water based treatments to the shearling lining, as these can damage the wool and compromise its natural properties.
Storage and Long Term Care
Only store your gloves when they are clean and completely dry. Choose a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid storing gloves under heavy items or in tightly compressed spaces, as prolonged compression can reduce the loft of the shearling lining over time.
Professional Care
If your gloves experience heavy staining, prolonged moisture exposure, or significant wear, a professional leather or glove care specialist may be able to restore them safely.
With thoughtful care, Rue Gloves are built to last. The goatskin leather shell will develop character and patina, while the shearling lining will adapt naturally to your hands, delivering lasting warmth, comfort, and performance season after season.