I've used my leather work gloves for the past two years, and they've taken a beating. They're now looking quite grungy, with visible signs of wear, and I can't help but feel they've become unhygienic. Is there a way to restore them to their former glory and bring new life to these old gloves?

Higher quality leather gloves can be cleaned up with saddle soap.

Here are the leather gloves I typically wear. I don't know if they are considered high-quality leather, but they have served me well.

https://www.samsclub.com/p/plainsman-premium-cabretta-tan-leather-gloves-2-pairs/P03019954

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Sam's Club or Plainsman.

They look nice to me. If they've lasted this long with only getting dirty, saddle soap is easy and cheap to try. And good to have around for many things you might own made of leather.

Thank you.

Maybe picking up another two pack would be a good idea. They look good and the price is right! Leather gloves are a truly essential item to have on hand IMOHO.

I ordered more leather gloves yesterday because I planned to discard the old ones. However, Mom asked if the gloves were washable.

I wouldn't think machine washing them would work well but if you plan to toss 'em anyways it would be a cool experiment.

Before doing anything else, I will try the saddle soap.

There are special soaps for machine washing motorcycle leather. The leather needs to be dried slowly and kneaded for softening after drying. It may not be worth it for just one pair of gloves.
Washing leather with the detergents for clothes will make the leather brittle.

I live and work on an acreage, with gardens and woodlot. My leather work gloves work for a living. I burn them up over time. Shelf queens need not apply.

Granted, they aren't $30 rodeo cowboy gloves.

Individually, they get washed in a sink of warm water with a drop of dish soap. Collectively, as I change seasons from non-insulated to insulated work gloves, they get tossed in the washing machine with dirty coveralls and hats and felt boot liners.

Washing is no problem. The critical thing is how you dry them. I lay them out to air dry, but when they are 60% dry it's important to put them on and stretch them so you don't end up with smaller gloves that don't fit well. It's not a permanent shrink of course; you can get them wet and stretch them out any time. But it's easier to manage proactively, so you're good to go next season.

PS, for otherwise good gloves that have a couple of small holes, putting that finger over a rake handle and giving a few wraps of the good ol' Canadian hockey tape adds years to their useful life. Waste not!

Thank you.

I should mention that washing leather gloves in water will make them rather stiff as they dry out. They soften up as you use them, but if that is a concern then the other options above may be preferable.