How to clean a hat
IF YOU have a favorite hat, chances are, it’s going to get worn a lot.
This means that you should probably know the best ways to wash them (and what to avoid) if you’re going to keep them looking, smelling, and feeling fresh.
How to clean a baseball cap
If you’ve been on Pinterest, you may have come across a hack that claims you can wash your baseball caps by simply placing them in the top rack of your dishwasher.
While we love playing Mythbusters, we regret to inform you that this is not the best way to clean your hat and that doing so could majorly damage it.
Instead, you’re going to need to following supplies:
- A sink filled with warm water
- OxiClean or another laundry detergent
- Shampoo
- A toothbrush
- A soft towel
- A clean, dry bowl
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Now that you’ve gathered your supplies, you’ll want to do the following to get that baseball cap clean.
First, put about a tablespoon of OxiClean into your sink filled with warm water.
Next, shake off the hat to ensure that there’s no excess dirt hanging onto it which you could end up rubbing into the hat if it lingers.
Now, dunk your hat into the water and make sure it gets fully saturated.
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Next, it’s time to spot-clean your hat with shampoo on any sweat stains using the toothbrush.
Take your time, and gently rub the shampoo into the stains with a circular motion.
If there are any remaining stains that are stubborn and obvious and that the shampoo isn’t getting, try adding some OxiClean directly to the spots where you need it.
Leave your hat to soak for about three hours in the water with OxiClean.
If your water gets especially dirty, it’s okay to drain it and refill it before you leave it to soak.
After the three hours of soaking, you’ll want to rinse off the hat with lukewarm water.
Dry off the hat with a soft towel to remove as much excess moisture as possible.
Now, place your hat over the bowl (which should be flipped upside down to simulate a head shape) and allow it to dry.
If your hat is still dirty after this cleaning, you can repeat it as needed.
Tips for keeping your hat in its best shape:
- Be gentle on any stitched patches or logos; scrubbing them too hard could make them come apart
- Never, ever place your hat in a washer or a dryer (or a dishwasher)
- Don’t use any kind of cleaner that has bleach in it
How to clean a knit hat or a beanie
If beanies are more your style, we have a slightly different method for you to use to ensure they stay fresh and clean.
This time you’ll need:
- A sink (or bucket) of warm water
- Woolite or another gentle detergent
- A toothbrush
- A soft towel
- Your noggin
Winter hats, like knit hats or beanies, should always be washed before you wear them for the first time, as well as when they get dirty.
The dyes in the yarn can unknowingly cause chemicals to transfer to your skin, so getting the chemicals out is your healthiest option.
If the hat has a pom on top, gently check to see if it is removable (some have snaps on top, while others are sewn on).
If the pom is not removable, turn the beanie inside out, so the pom is inside.
Fill up your sink with warm water and a tablespoon of Woolite, and dip your beanie into the mix.
If your knit hat has a patch on the front, it’s okay to use a toothbrush and some Woolite to brush the patch gently, but don’t scrub your beanie unless you want to turn the knitted fabric into a matted mess.
Gently massage your beanie with your fingers, and then leave it to soak for about three hours.
When the time is up, remove the beanie from the water and gently press on it with the towel to remove as much water as possible.
Do not wring your knit hat, as this could cause it to become misshapen.
Once you’ve gotten as much water out of your hat as possible, the best place to put it to dry is on your own head.
This will help your hat to form to the shape of your head.
Putting your damp beanie on shouldn’t be done if you have plans to go outside where it’s below freezing.
If wearing it until it’s dry isn’t feasible, it’s okay to hang it dry on your shower curtain.
Tips for keeping your beanie in its best shape:
- While hand-washing is best if you choose to put it in the washing machine, make sure you’re only putting it on warm water, on the delicate cycle, and that you’re putting your cap in a lingerie bag
- Never dry your knit hat in the dryer
- Don’t use shampoo on your knit hat
How to wash a felt hat
If you’ve got the perfect fashionable fedora, beret, cowboy hat, or wide-brimmed sunhat made of felt, then you should know these tips for keeping them in tip-top shape.
You’ll need the following supplies:
- A lint roller
- A new makeup sponge
- A sink full of cold water
- Woolite
- A soft towel
First, check to make sure there’s not a care tag inside your hat.
If there is, then follow those directions.
If not, then lint rolling your hat every time your wear it is recommended to pick up any lint, dust, or dirt that you may have gotten on it.
If you’ve got a stain on it, you should spot-clean it using a new makeup sponge and cold water, with a dab of Woolite.
Checking under the brim or inside of the hat first is always a good idea to make sure that your hat doesn’t bleed or get damaged by the cleaner or water.
If you need to clean your entire hat, you should start by using a lint roller to get off excess dirt and using the same method described above to spot-clean any stains.
Next, fill the sink with cold water and a tablespoon of Woolite.
Submerge your hat, and leave it there for about an hour.
If there are still visible stains on the felt, you may want to dab it again with the makeup sponge and Woolite and then leave it for an hour longer.
Once you’re done cleaning your hat, remove it from the water and dab off the rim if the hat has one.
Next, you’ll want to ball up a towel (a hand towel might work best, depending on the size of the hat) and place it inside the hat to help it maintain its shape while it dries out.
Tips to make sure your felt hat stays in its best condition:
- Never, ever put a felt hat in the washing machine or in the dryer unless the care tag inside tells you to
- If your hat is made from a fur-based felt, it’s best to have a professional clean your hat
- Make sure that any leather embellishments that may be on your hat don’t get water-stained by ensuring the entire hat is submerged for the entirety of the cleaning period