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Hats are prone to collecting dirt, especially handmade knitted ones. Hand washing is the safest method, but for sturdier hats, you can try machine washing. Before washing, determine the material of the hat and whether it might deform during washing. The simplest way is to check the label sewn onto the hat. However, if your hat lacks a label, you’ll need to make an educated guess.
Steps
Hand Washing a Hat
Fill a small plastic basin with cold water. Warm or hot water may cause the hat to fade or shrink, depending on the material. Use just enough water to submerge the hat. If washing only one or two hats, a large plastic bowl can replace a basin.
- This method works best for handmade knitted hats or delicate caps that might get damaged or stretched in a washing machine.
- If the hat is handmade, check the yarn label for washing instructions.
Mix a mild detergent into the water. Add about a tablespoon of detergent or soap and stir until it dissolves completely, forming bubbles on the surface. The type of detergent depends on the hat's material and the stains you want to remove.
- For knitted wool hats, use a wool-specific detergent to minimize pilling, fading, or damage. If unavailable, opt for a bleach-free and additive-free cleaner.
- Avoid chlorine bleach or enzyme-based cleaners on wool fabrics.
Perform a colorfastness test. If washing the hat for the first time, dip a small section before submerging the entire hat. Keep it in the water for two minutes.
- Check for color bleeding while the hat is wet. You might notice dye leaking into the water. If not, gently pat the hat on a light-colored surface.
- Ensure the surface you pat the hat on is easy to clean or resistant to staining.
- Test an inconspicuous area of the hat to avoid visible damage if color bleeding occurs.
- If no color bleeding is observed, proceed to the next step.
Submerge the entire hat. If the tested area shows no damage after two minutes, the rest of the hat can be immersed. For regular washing, soak for about 30 minutes. For mud or stubborn stains, soak for several hours.
Rinse thoroughly. Remove the hat from the soapy water and rinse under a steady stream of cold water to wash away all detergent. Continue rinsing until the hat no longer feels slippery or soapy.
Squeeze out excess water. Place the hat between your hands and press firmly. Then, lay it on a clean towel and press again until no more water drips out. Avoid wringing or twisting the hat, as this may distort its shape or damage the fabric.
Dry the hat. Place the hat in a well-ventilated area. Lay it flat on a towel and reshape it to its original form. To speed up drying, use a fan on the lowest setting placed nearby, but avoid hair dryers as high heat can cause the hat to shrink. Also, keep the hat out of direct sunlight to prevent fading.
Washing Knitted Hats in a Washing Machine
Place delicate hats in a washing bag. Some handmade hats, especially those made of wool, can be damaged by the agitation in a washing machine. To prevent this, put the hat in a pillowcase, mesh bag, or laundry bag. Secure the bag with a zipper or tie to keep the hat from falling out during the cycle. This step is crucial if you're washing a small load.
- Be cautious with handmade items when using this method. If the hat is made of acrylic, machine-washable wool, or cotton, it should be fine in the machine. However, wool not labeled as machine-washable may get damaged, ruining your item.
Prepare a full load of laundry. Knitted hats can be damaged if washed with too few items. Washing the hat with other clothes prevents excessive spinning by reducing empty space in the machine. Ensure the items are color-matched, and ideally, wash knitted hats with other knitted garments.
Start the washing machine before adding the laundry. Wait for the drum to fill with cold water. Pause the machine before the wash cycle begins and add the clothes and hat.
- If you have a front-loading machine, simply add the items and start the cycle as usual. While not ideal, your hat should still be fine.
Add a small amount of laundry detergent. If your hat and other laundry items are made of wool, using a wool-specific detergent is ideal. These detergents often contain lanolin, which softens the wool fibers, reduces static, and enhances water resistance. If you're not washing wool items or can't find a specialized detergent, any mild soap without bleach or harsh chemicals will suffice.
Soak before washing. Don’t start the washing machine immediately. Let the items soak in the drum for at least an hour. For heavily soiled items, overnight soaking may be necessary. Don’t worry if your wool items float initially—they will gradually absorb water and sink.
Run the washing machine on the "spin only" setting. This ensures your laundry only goes through the final stage of the wash cycle. The machine will gently agitate the items and rinse out the soap. The spinning action also partially dries the laundry by removing excess water through centrifugal force. If your items are still wet, run another spin cycle.
Lay the hat flat to dry. Spread a clean, dry towel on a flat surface and place your wool items on it. Choose a well-ventilated area, such as a room with a ceiling fan, for best results. Allow the hat to air dry naturally, which may take several hours.
Washing Baseball Caps in a Washing Machine
Treat the inner sweatband first. This part of the hat is the dirtiest, as it absorbs sweat and oils from your skin. Use an enzyme-based cleaner and spray it onto the sweatband to remove these stains.
- Most baseball caps made in the last 10 years can be safely machine-washed.
- Hand washing is better for knitted baseball caps.
- Older caps often have cardboard brims, which should never be fully submerged in water. Instead, clean them with a spray and cloth.
Wash the hat with regular laundry. Treat the hat like any other laundry item. Wash it with similarly colored clothes and use any detergent you prefer.
- Cold water yields the best results, though warm water is also fine. Avoid hot water when washing caps.
- Do not use bleach.
Let the hat air dry. After washing, place the hat on a flat surface in a well-ventilated area. You can use a fan nearby to speed up drying. Never put the hat in a clothes dryer, as this can cause it to shrink or lose its shape.
Washing Straw Hats
Determine if the straw hat is washable. Some straw hats are too delicate for washing, even by hand. Most straw hats are made from sturdy materials that allow for gentle hand washing. Check the hat's label. If it’s made in Baku or Shantung, it’s likely safe.
- If unsure about the material, gently bend the brim. If it’s elastic and quickly returns to its original shape, it’s durable enough to wash. If it bends and tears, it’s not suitable for washing.
Remove decorative accessories if necessary. Items like ropes, ribbons, small buttons, or other ornaments are often attached with thin wire. You can easily detach these to remove the decorations. If the decorations are sewn on with thread, it’s better to leave them in place. Attempting to remove and reattach them might damage the hat more than washing it as is.
Gently wipe with a damp cloth. For cleaning without using a brush, use a damp cloth. Carefully wipe the hat’s surface to remove dirt. Avoid soaking the hat with too much water.
Clean the entire hat with a hydrogen peroxide solution. If plain water isn’t effective, use a mild hydrogen peroxide solution. Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle.
- Spray the solution onto a soft cloth and gently wipe the entire hat.
- For stubborn stains, spray the solution directly onto the hat and wipe with a cloth. Avoid over-wetting the hat, as this can cause it to warp or shrink.
Tips
- If the hat’s label says "dry clean only," take it to a professional cleaner. Paying for dry cleaning is often cheaper than replacing a hat ruined by machine washing.
- Store linen items separately from other fabrics to avoid accidentally washing them together and causing damage.
- Some people wash baseball caps in dishwashers, but this is not recommended by dishwasher manufacturers. High temperatures can warp plastic parts and shrink fabric.
- Pre-treat stubborn stains with a stain remover before washing.
