Short answer: Shaving cream can make a glove feel softer for a short while, which is why generations of players used it. But many modern shaving creams contain things like alcohol, fragrance and menthol that can dry leather out and leave residue that attracts dirt. A glove conditioner does the softening job properly, without the downsides.
Ask a coach who grew up in the ’80s or ’90s how to break in a glove and there’s a decent chance you’ll hear “shaving cream, a ball, and a rubber band under the mattress.” It’s one of baseball’s most famous home remedies, and it still turns up in big league clubhouses.
So does it work? Partly. And that’s the problem.
Where the shaving cream trick came from
The usual explanation is that older shaving creams were closer to simple soaps, some with lanolin in them. Rubbing that into leather added a bit of moisture and fat, which is roughly what a conditioner does. The foam also made it easy to spread over the whole glove.
It’s still part of baseball culture. In a June 2026 story in The Baltimore Banner, Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said he used shaving cream and warm water as a kid, and infielder Jackson Holliday said he’d used shaving cream on a spring training glove (The Banner). These days Albernaz sticks to playing catch and a Lexol leather conditioner.
What shaving cream does to leather today
Today’s shaving creams and gels are made for skin, not leather. Depending on the brand, they can contain:
- Alcohol and menthol, which can dry leather out after the initial softening,
- Fragrances and dyes, which do nothing for leather and can stain light gloves,
- Thickeners and residues, which stay in the grain and attract dirt.
What players often describe: the glove feels softer at first, then drier, with a film that gets grimy. A coach quoted by Nike makes the same point, that modern versions can dry out the leather (Nike).
Already used shaving cream? Don’t panic. Clean the glove with a gentle leather cleaner to lift the residue (how to clean a glove), wipe it off, let it air dry, then work in a little real glove conditioner.
What to use instead
The shaving cream trick was really three steps: add moisture, flex the leather, hold the shape overnight. You can do all three with tools made for the job:
- Clean the leather so the conditioner can absorb.
- Condition with a thin coat of cream conditioner on the pocket, heel and laces.
- Pound the pocket and heel with a mallet for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Wrap the glove around a ball overnight (a glove wrap beats the mattress).
- Repeat for 2 or 3 nights, then play catch.
Same idea as the old trick, none of the residue. The full method is in our step-by-step break-in guide.
Shaving cream vs. conditioner
| Shaving cream | Glove conditioner | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Skin | Glove leather |
| Short-term softening | Yes | Yes |
| Long-term effect | Can dry and stiffen leather | Keeps leather supple |
| Residue | Often | Minimal if you go light |
| Effect on light gloves | Can stain | Non-darkening formulas available |
The modern version of the old trick
The Nordari Glove Break-In Kit even keeps the foam: its pH-neutral, alcohol-free foam cleaner preps the leather, and the oil-free cream conditioner softens it without darkening. Add the hardwood mallet and the glove wrap and you’ve got the old routine without the residue.
The Nordari Glove Break-In Kit
Clean, soften and shape your glove from one box: foam cleaner, oil-free cream conditioner, one-piece hardwood mallet, glove wrap, bristle brush and microfiber cloth. Non-darkening, for baseball and softball gloves, youth to adult.
Curious about the other classic home remedy? Read does Vaseline help break in a baseball glove.
Frequently asked questions
Does shaving cream soften a baseball glove?
It can make it feel softer for a short time. Modern shaving creams contain ingredients that can dry leather out afterward, so the effect doesn’t last and can backfire.
What kind of shaving cream did players use?
Traditionally, simple foaming shaving creams. Today’s formulas are different, and many contain alcohol, menthol and fragrance that leather doesn’t need.
Is shaving cream bad for a glove?
It isn’t instantly destructive, but it isn’t good for it either. Over time it can dry the leather and leave residue. A glove conditioner is the better choice.
How do I get shaving cream residue off my glove?
Use a gentle leather cleaner with a soft brush, wipe it clean with a cloth, let the glove air dry away from heat, then condition lightly.
