How To Clean Dress Hats

Lay the hat out on a clean surface and let it air dry.

How to clean dress hats. As a simple cleaning technique a cool hairdryer and lint roller can be utilized to whisk away debris. It s not recommended to dry clean top hats or fedoras. Pour in enough laundry detergent to create rich suds. Felt hats top hats and fedoras for example do not take well to water. As a hat owner it s important to know how to clean your hat properly.

The types of hats best suited for hand washing include baseball caps as long as you are not cleaning older hats with a cardboard bill wool hats and hand knit hats. Use a soft brush to restore the nap of the felt. Fill a clean sink or bucket with warm water. Do not use dishwashing liquid for this detergent can cause dyes to bleed and potentially discolor your hat. Whether you re sporting a cloth or straw version learn the proper way to treat rinse wash and rid your hat of spots and stains and keep it looking fresh.

A soft bristled brush is the best way to clean your hat from everyday dirt and debris. Soak the hat in this solution for about 15 minutes or until the hat seems clean. Avoid getting the hat wet at all costs as this will only damage the hat further. Our very own sarah teaches you how you can properly clean a felt hat so that it will last longer and keep you looking great. As it s filling add a tablespoon of laundry detergent or oxiclean.

If salt stains form on the felt dip a white cloth into an equal mix of distilled white vinegar and water. Spot clean the salt stains and then allow to dry completely. Flip the hat over at some point so the bottom or inside can dry. Hats made of felt like cowboy hats can be dry cleaned to remove salty sweat stains. Brush the hat gently in a clockwise motion to remove dust dirt and other light stains.

Never dry a wool hat in a dryer as the hat will shrink significantly and may be completely ruined. Cleaning a hat by hand is generally the most effective way to clean your hat even if the label says it s safe to put in the washing machine. Brushing the hat regularly keeps the material free of foreign elements that tend to build up over time. Use light pressure and rub in a circle over the area. Dish soap can do in a pinch but detergent or a dedicated stain fighting treatment like oxiclean is stronger and works harder at getting the stains out of the hat s fibers.