A lot of dirt and dust can accumulate on the hats. Unfortunately, they are often difficult to wash, especially knitted wool models. Hand washing is the safest method, but some sturdier hats can also be machine washed. Before committing to this task, you need to determine what material the hat is made of and whether there is a risk that it will lose its shape. The easiest way to know is to check the label that says this information. However, if there is no education, you have to rely on your own judgment.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Hand Wash a Cap
Step 1. Fill a small plastic basin with cold water
If the water is too hot or too hot, the hat can lose color or even shrink, depending on the material. A container large enough to submerge the hat is sufficient. If you only need to wash one or two, you just need a plastic tub instead of a bathtub.
- This method is effective for washing hand-made hats or delicate ones that you worry about getting damaged or deformed in the washing machine.
- If you made the knit hat yourself, check the yarn label for washing instructions.
Step 2. Add a mild detergent
Pour about a teaspoon of detergent or soap into the water and stir until completely dissolved. The correct type of detergent to use depends on the material the hat is made of and the type of dirt you need to remove.
- If the hat is made of wool, you need to choose a specific product for this type of fabric to reduce the risk of lint forming, losing color or other damage. If you can't find a specific detergent for wool, choose a mild one without bleach or other additives.
- Never use bleach or other enzymatic detergents on woolen garments.
Step 3. Test the corner of the hat
If you have never followed this method before, you need to test the product on a small area of the cap before submerging it completely. Keep the area underwater for about two minutes.
- Check that it has not lost color while it is still wet; see if the water has slightly tinted. If not, try dabbing the cap on a light surface or object.
- To blot it, use a fabric that is easy to bleach or that you don't mind staining.
- Do this test in an area of the hat that is not very visible when you wear it; so, even if the stain is evident, it does not affect the look.
- If you don't notice any discoloration or stains, you can continue to the next step.
Step 4. Immerse the entire cap
If after the test you don't see any damage within two minutes, proceed by soaking the entire hat. For normal and light cleaning, simply keep it in water for about half an hour. If it is dirty with encrusted mud or if the dirt is particularly stubborn, it may take up to a few hours.
Step 5. Rinse it off
After the time has elapsed, remove the hat from the soapy water and rinse it under a strong, steady stream of running water to remove all traces of detergent. Continue to use cold water to avoid the risk of the garment losing color or shrinking. Rinse it off until it no longer feels sticky and you no longer see soap residue.
Step 6. Eliminate excess water
Hold the hat in your hands and squeeze it gently. Then place it on a clean towel and continue blotting it until as much water as possible has come out. But be careful not to twist it, otherwise you could warp it or cause lint to form.
Step 7. Let it air dry
Put the wool cap in a well-ventilated place. Lay it out on a cloth trying to give it its original shape. If you want to speed up the drying process, you can put it near a low-powered fan, but don't use hot air, otherwise it may shrink. Do not even expose it to direct sunlight, as it may cause it to discolour.
Method 2 of 4: Washing a Knitted Hat in the Washing Machine
Step 1. Put the delicate cap in a washing bag
Some handmade caps, especially wool ones, can be damaged by the movements of the washing machine. To prevent this from happening, you should put it in a pillowcase, underwear mesh bag, or other washable garment container. Close the bag by its drawstring or tie it on top if it doesn't have one. This prevents the cap from coming out, which is especially important if you are doing a small load of laundry.
Proceed carefully with the handmade items you decide to wash with this method. If the hat is made of acrylic, non-felting wool, or cotton, there is probably no problem with this wash. However, if there is no specific wording "non-felting" or machine washable on the wool label, the garment could be damaged
Step 2. Make a big load if possible
Handmade items are more likely to fel if the washing machine is half empty. Although the bag protects your hat, it may actually open during the wash cycle as well. Also make sure that the other garments are also in similar colors, even better if they are also knitted.
Step 3. Begin by setting up a cold wash cycle before adding clothing
Let the washing machine fill with water (if it is a top-loading model), set the pause before the moving process begins and insert the items to be washed.
If your washing machine is front loading, proceed as normal, putting your clothes on before starting the wash cycle. While not the ideal method for your cap, it's still fine
Step 4. Add a cap of liquid detergent
If you are washing wool garments, a specific product for this fabric is more suitable, as it often contains lanolin which softens the wool, reduces static electricity and increases its resistance to water. If you are not washing wool or do not have a detergent formulated specifically for this fabric, you can use a normal liquid product, as long as it does not contain bleach or other harsh chemicals.
Step 5. Leave the laundry to soak
Do not restart the washing machine, but wait at least an hour. Particularly soiled clothes should stay in the water all night. Don't worry if you see the wool elements floating on the surface. They need time to absorb the water, but will eventually sink on their own.
Step 6. Set the "spin only" program
In this way, the garments are subjected to what generally corresponds to the last phase of the washing cycle. The washing machine performs moderate movements, shaking the clothes before draining all the soapy water. By doing so, the garments partially dry, eliminating excess water thanks to the centripetal force. If the clothes are still very wet, do a second spin cycle.
Step 7. Let the cap air dry
Spread a clean, dry cloth on a flat surface and place your handmade garment on it. Choose a well-ventilated area, such as a room with a ceiling fan, for best results. Wait for the cap to dry naturally; it may only take a few hours.
Method 3 of 4: Washing a Baseball Cap in the Washing Machine
Step 1. Pretreat the lining or hat band
These parts are probably the dirtiest, as they absorb sweat and oil from the skin when you wear the cap. Choose an enzymatic product and spray some to break up this kind of grime.
- Most modern baseball caps are made to last at least 10 years, so you can machine wash them without too much hassle.
- Those made of wool should be washed by hand.
- Older models usually have cardboard visors and should never be completely submerged in water. In this case, you need to provide a cloth and a spray bottle of water.
Step 2. Put the hat in the washing machine as usual
At this stage you can treat it like the rest of the laundry. Wash it with similar colored clothes and use your favorite detergent.
- For best results, set a cold water cycle. However, the heat also guarantees a good wash.
- Do not bleach.
Step 3. Let the hat air dry
When the wash cycle is finished, remove the cap from the washing machine and place it on a flat surface in a well-ventilated area. You can also place it near a fan to speed up the process. Do not use the dryer as you may warp or shrink the hat.
Method 4 of 4: Wash a Straw Hat
Step 1. Check that the hat can be washed
Some models are too delicate even for hand washing. However, most straw hats are constructed of durable material, which makes hand washing possible, albeit with caution. Check the manufacturer's label; those of straw baku and shantung are quite robust.
If you can't figure out what kind of straw was used for the hat, gently fold the brim. If it resists or starts to regain its original shape, it means it's sturdy enough. If it starts to fray or creases without difficulty, the material is too delicate
Step 2. Remove any decorations if possible
Usually, the laces, buttons, bows and other elements are attached to the straw with small segments of wire. You can unroll the thread without any problems to detach the decorations. If these are sewn into straw instead, you don't have to remove them, as you could cause far worse damage trying to sew them back up than washing.
Step 3. Dab the hat gently with a cloth
For light cleaning that can't be done with a brush, choose a wet cloth. Dab it carefully directly onto the headgear, trying to get the dirt off the surface. Avoid soaking the straw with water.
Step 4. Clean the entire hat with a hydrogen peroxide solution
If plain water doesn't bring the desired results, you can use hydrogen peroxide as a mild cleanser. Fill a spray bottle with one part water and one part hydrogen peroxide.
- Spray the solution on a soft cloth and use it to gently scrub the entire hat.
- For particularly stubborn stains, spray the solution on the headgear and wipe with a cloth. Avoid soaking it with water, as it may warp and shrink.
Advice
- If the washing instructions say "dry clean only", be very careful and take the hat to a dry cleaner. An occasional cleaning like this may cost less than a new, damaged hat.
- Keep dirty bedding in a separate basket from other fabrics. This way, you avoid putting it together with normal laundry and prevent it from felting woolen items.
- Some people wash their baseball cap in the dishwasher; however, this practice is not recommended by dishwasher manufacturers. Excessive heat emitted by this appliance could deform the plastic parts and cause the fabric to shrink.
- Spray heavily soiled areas with a stain pre-treat product before washing.
