The final step in glove-making is known as “laying-off” and it means tailoring the glove to the correct size and shape. This is done by putting the glove on metal hands that have been heated. Until this final process, the gloves present a shapeless appearance.

Similarly, you should re-shape your gloves every time you take them off. Straighten the fingers, flatten the glove and make sure that the edges of the cuff meet. Keep your gloves in the container they came in.

If gloves are leather, work the glove on carefully, smoothing it on and inserting the thumb last. When you remove the glove, turn it half wrong side out and slide it off gently. Then smooth back into shape. Never pull gloves—even the most firmly stitched seams can be weakened. One of the advantages of fabric gloves is the ease of slipping them on and off.

If your leather gloves are marked washable (lavable is the French term), use the same step-by-step procedure you use for washable fabric gloves:

1. Luke warm water with mild soap flakes—swish gloves back and forth and rub fingertips gently.
2. Put gloves on hands and rinse in clean lukewarm water. Squeeze excess moisture away; some soap will remain on purpose as a softening agent.
3. Remove gloves and blow into each finger, restoring it to approximate shape. Now place gloves flat on a towel away from radiator heat, shaping them as you would shape a hand-washed sweater.
4. When gloves are almost dry, work them—smoothing them on carefully—restoring them to their original shape.