How to Wash Boxing Hand Wraps (Step-by-Step Guide)

Jeremy Emebe
Gear Care Hygiene

Hand wraps soak up sweat, bacteria, and dead skin every time you train. If you don’t clean them properly, they turn your gloves into a damp, smelly bacteria factory and can even shorten the life of your gear. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to wash your boxing hand wraps the right way—using a simple routine you can follow after every session.

This is a focused, practical guide that sits in our Essential Boxing Gear & Apparel cluster, so you can keep all your equipment fresh and fight-ready.

Freshly washed boxing hand wraps hanging neatly to dry on a rack in a boxing gym laundry area.

1. Why clean hand wraps matter

Your hand wraps are the first line of defense between your skin and the inside of your gloves. They absorb sweat, protect the tiny bones in your hands, and help stabilize your wrists every time you punch.

When you don’t wash them, that sweat sits in the fabric. Over time, bacteria and odor build up, which:

  • Makes your gloves smell terrible from the inside out
  • Can irritate your skin or cause breakouts and rashes
  • Breaks down glove padding and lining faster
  • Makes you “that person” no one wants to do pad work or clinch with

We recommend to always wash your wraps. Keeping them clean and disinfected dramatically extends the life of your gloves and keeps your training partners happy.

Key takeaway: Clean wraps = longer-lasting gloves, better hygiene, and a much nicer training environment for everyone.

2. Quick answer: how often should you wash wraps?

In the video, the athlete mentions they wash their wraps every single time they train—and that’s the gold standard.

Training Frequency How Often to Wash
1–2 times per week Wash after every session
3–5 times per week Wash after every session (keep 2–3 pairs in rotation)
Occasional / travel At minimum, hang them to dry and wash as soon as you can

To make this routine easy, invest in multiple pairs of wraps so you’re never tempted to reuse a soaked, smelly set.

3. Step-by-step: how to wash hand wraps in the washing machine

Here’s the exact process from the video, plus a few extra pro tips for keeping your wraps clean, untangled, and in good shape.

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Step 1: Let them dry if you can’t wash right away

After training, don’t stuff your wraps into a tightly closed gym bag while they’re still wet. If you can’t wash them immediately, unroll them fully and lay them out to air dry first. This prevents mildew and that deep “rotten” smell that’s hard to get rid of later.

Step 2: Put wraps in a garment / laundry bag

To stop your wraps from turning into a giant fabric knot in the machine, place them inside a mesh garment bag and zip it all the way closed before you wash.

  • Mesh bags are cheap (usually $4–$9 in places like Target or on Amazon)
  • They prevent your wraps from tangling with other clothes—or with each other
  • They protect the velcro from sticking to everything in your laundry

The video athlete literally mentions “hours of life” lost untangling wraps—this step saves you from that.

Step 3: Choose your wash settings & add vinegar (optional)

Once your wraps are in the bag, you can toss them into the washing machine with your regular laundry.

  • Water temperature: Cold or warm is usually best to protect colors and fabric
  • Cycle: Gentle or regular cycle works fine
  • Detergent: Use a normal mild detergent
  • Bonus tip from the video: Pour in a little white vinegar to help fight and eliminate stubborn odors

Avoid bleach or harsh chemicals—these can damage the fabric and weaken the wraps over time.

Step 4: Double-check the bag is zipped tight

Before you start the cycle, make sure the bag is zipped fully closed. If it opens mid-wash, you’re back to wrap spaghetti.

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4. How to hand wash boxing hand wraps

No washing machine? No problem. You can still keep your wraps clean with a quick hand wash routine.

  1. Fill a sink or bucket with lukewarm water.
  2. Add a small amount of mild detergent (and a splash of white vinegar if they smell strong).
  3. Unroll your wraps completely and submerge them in the water.
  4. Gently agitate and squeeze the fabric to work the soap through.
  5. Let them soak for 10–15 minutes.
  6. Rinse thoroughly with clean water until no soap remains.
  7. Gently squeeze out excess water—don’t wring aggressively to avoid stretching.

From here, follow the same drying and rolling steps as the machine-wash method.

5. Drying your hand wraps: air dry vs dryer

In the video, the fighter prefers to air dry their wraps because it’s easier to keep them untangled and it’s gentler on the fabric.

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Option 1: Air drying (recommended)

After washing:

  • Unroll the wraps fully if they’ve twisted in the wash
  • Hang them over a drying rack, shower rod, or clothes hanger
  • Make sure they’re spread out so air can circulate

This method helps your wraps dry evenly and reduces wear on the velcro and elastic.

Option 2: Tumble drying on low

Short on time? You can also tumble dry on low.

  • Keep wraps in the mesh bag so they don’t knot up
  • Use low heat to protect the fabric and velcro
  • Take them out as soon as they’re dry—don’t let them bake in a hot drum

High heat can slowly beat up the elastic and cause your wraps to lose their snap, so low and gentle is the way to go.

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6. Rolling & storing your wraps after washing

Once your wraps are completely dry, it’s time to roll them up properly. This is straight from the video and makes your next wrap session way easier.

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How to roll your hand wraps the right way

  1. Lay the wrap out flat and smooth out all wrinkles with your hands.
  2. Start rolling from the end opposite the velcro or thumb loop (your choice—more on that below).
  3. As you roll, keep the wrap flat and snug so it forms a tight, even roll.
  4. Roll with the inside (bottom) of the wrap in, so that when you’re done, the velcro side ends up on the outside and easy to access—exactly how it’s shown in the video.

Some fighters prefer to roll from the thumb loop end so that the loop sits on the outside of the roll, making it a bit faster to start wrapping next time. Try both and stick with what feels best.

Storage Tip 1

Keep clean, rolled wraps in a small pouch or separate pocket in your gym bag so they don’t pick up dirt or dust.

Storage Tip 2

Don’t store wraps while even slightly damp. Let them finish drying first to avoid trapped moisture and hidden odor.

Level Up

Pair clean wraps with regular glove cleaning. See our upcoming guide on How to Clean and Maintain Your Boxing Gloves to keep your whole setup fresh.

 Neatly rolled clean boxing hand wraps lined up on a modern gym bench after washing. ```

7. What about quick wraps?

The video also mentions quick wraps (those slip-on “inner gloves” with gel or foam padding). The good news: you wash them using the exact same steps.

  • Let them air out if you can’t wash immediately
  • Put them in a mesh laundry bag
  • Machine wash with mild detergent (vinegar optional)
  • Air dry or tumble dry on low

Quick wraps are often thicker, so make sure they’re fully dry before you throw them back in your gym bag.

If you’re still deciding between traditional wraps and quick wraps, check out our guide Hand Wraps vs. Quick Wraps: Which Is Better for You? (coming soon in this cluster).

8. When to replace your hand wraps

Even with perfect washing technique, wraps don’t last forever. In the video, they mention a few clear signs it’s time to let a pair go:

  • Velcro stops sticking or peels off
  • The fabric feels thin, rough, or stretched out
  • They still smell bad even after washing with detergent and vinegar
  • There are visible holes, tears, or fraying edges

When that happens, don’t stress—it just means you’ve been training hard. Wraps are relatively cheap and are meant to be replaced after heavy use, especially if you’re hitting multiple sessions per week.

Pro tip: Keep at least 2–4 pairs of wraps in rotation. That way, you always have a clean set ready and each pair lasts longer overall.

9. FAQ: common wrap-washing questions

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Can I wash my wraps with the rest of my clothes?
Yes—just make sure they’re inside a zipped mesh laundry bag. This keeps them from tangling around your clothes, and stops the velcro from grabbing onto everything in the wash.
Do I really need to wash them after every session?
If you want fresh-smelling gloves and good hygiene, yes. The fighter in the video washes their wraps every single time and recommends having multiple pairs so this becomes automatic.
Is vinegar safe for my wraps?
A small splash of white vinegar in the wash is safe for most cotton or poly-cotton wraps and helps neutralize odor. Avoid soaking wraps in straight vinegar for long periods, and if you’re unsure, test with an older pair first.
Can I iron or use high heat to dry them faster?
It’s not recommended. High heat can damage the elastic, weaken the fibers, and warp the velcro. Stick to air drying or low tumble if you’re in a hurry.
What else should I do to keep my gloves from smelling?
Clean wraps are step one. Step two is letting your gloves air out completely between sessions and using glove deodorizers or inserts if needed. Keep an eye out for our detailed guide on How to Clean and Maintain Your Boxing Gloves inside the same Essential Gear cluster.
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Conclusion: Make clean wraps part of your fight routine

Washing your boxing hand wraps isn’t complicated—but it makes a huge difference. Lay them out to dry if you can’t wash right away, toss them in a mesh bag, use a bit of detergent (and vinegar if needed), then air dry or tumble dry low. Finish by rolling them neatly so they’re ready to go for your next session.

Build this into your post-training ritual and it becomes automatic—just like lacing up your gloves or stretching after the last round. Clean wraps protect your hands, your gloves, and your training partners. That’s real fighter etiquette.

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