How to Clean a Hat Without Ruining It

Are you looking at your hat and thinking it needs a good cleaning? Does it have sweat stains, grease, or dirt spots?

Just like shoes and clothes, hats get dirty. They absorb oil and sweat from your scalp and hair, and they also pick up dust and grime from the environment. It can be a sad day when your favorite hat doesn’t look or smell as fresh as it did when you bought it.

Cleaning hats can be tricky so they don’t lose their shape. Follow these tips on how to clean a hat without ruining it.

Things to Know Before you Start

Women’s hat styles are always changing, so to keep that hat in style by knowing what you are dealing with before you start cleaning.

As you get ready to clean your hat, look for a label to check for any washing instructions. Make sure you follow these instructions.

If your hat is older, you may want to spot clean only to avoid ruining it.

You should also determine what fabric your hat is made out of like wool, cotton, suede, straw, or a blend. Some fabrics may get ruined in water such as straw.

Pretreat

Before you start submerging your hat in cool water, you should soak a small part for a couple of minutes to see if any color bleeds. If you don’t see any color in the water, you should test it with a napkin to see if the color comes off.

If you don’t see any color in the water and the dab test, you can move on. However, if you see some color or discoloration, you should only spot clean.

Start treating the hat’s most soiled areas. Take a soft-bristled brush, like a toothbrush, and scrub away grime on your hat’s brim and sweatband area. Dip the brush in mild detergent and water and apply to the hat.

Let it sit for at least 15 minutes to help remove the dirt.

Don’t use chlorine bleach even on a white cap because it can destroy the fabric.

How to Clean a Hat

After you have pretreated the hat, fill a sink, basin, or a plastic container with cool water and a mild detergent. Let the hat soak for about an hour, and then see if the stains disappear.

Rinse the hat with clean, cool water.

Air Dry the Hat

Always lay the hat right side up to form its original shape. Place it in a well-ventilated area but not outside in the direct sun. The sun can fade your hat.

Never put your hat in the clothes dryer or use a blow dryer. The extreme heat can shrink your hat.

Can You Put in the Washing Machine?

If your hat is 100% cotton, acrylic, or cotton-poly blend (like a baseball cap), it may be okay to wash it in the washing machine. However, never put delicate fabrics like wool, cashmere, straw, or silk in the washing machine.

If you put your hat in the washing machine, use a garment bag for an extra layer of protection. Always use cold water and the delicate cycle. Be sure to wash with like colors, so there is no color bleed on other clothing items.

Just like other washing methods, be sure you air dry your hat.