Hat Care 101: Can You Safely Clean Your Hats in the Dishwasher or Washing Machine?
As a hat wearer, you may have wondered whether it's safe to wash your baseball cap in a washing machine or dishwasher.
If you search online for hat cleaning tips, you'll find countless blogs and videos offering various methods. With so many options, it can be overwhelming to figure out the best way to clean your hat without damaging it. As someone who restores hats professionally, I'll guide you through the pros and cons of machine and dishwasher cleaning.
What do the manufacturers recommend?
If you accidentally spill something on your hat or it gets muddy, you might be tempted to toss it in the washing machine. But if you check the label inside your hat, it probably warns against machine washing, or even washing altogether. While your hat wont self combust or fall apart in the washing machine, it's important to note that the way most fitted and snapback hats are made means that machine washing can ruin their shape, colour, and size.
What are the risks of putting my hat in the washing machine or dishwasher?
Let's face it, we all want our hats to look fresh and new for as long as possible. But when it comes to cleaning them, we often make the mistake of treating them like regular clothes or shoes. This can lead to disastrous results such as shrinkage, fading, and warping. While hats are not exactly delicate, they do require a bit of extra care and attention to maintain their shape and colour. So, before you toss your hat in the washing machine or scrub it with a toothbrush, take a moment to learn the proper way to clean it.
The Risks of Machine Washing Hats: Shrinkage, Fading, and Soggy Brims
Hats are no exception, and even using a washing cage can damage the shape, size, and structure of your hat. The front panels of a hat are reinforced with a material called buckram, which is treated with starch or glue to provide support and structure.
This is why it's important to avoid frequently soaking the front panels, this can cause the crown to lose its shape. Instead, it's best to regularly brush or spot clean it for individual stains, which I'll cover later.
If you are reading this after a run in with a washing machine, all is not lost.Check out the videos below from Dre 616 on how to remove creases and reshape your Hat.
With that being said…
In some cases, it may be possible to wash your hat in the washing machine, such as if it's an old beater hat. However, it's important to note that hats with cardboard brims can become soggy and lose their stiffness after being washed in a machine, so it's best to avoid soaking it and clean it with a stain remover instead.
How to clean your hat the right way:
Using water only when necessary is my mantra. When caps are exposed to too much water, it can cause damage to the fabric and structure. This damage can lead to a worn-out appearance much quicker than necessary. Therefore, it's essential to learn safe methods for maintaining and cleaning your caps to keep them looking their best for longer.
Spot cleaning vs deep cleaning:
Cleaning hats can be done in a variety of ways depending on the size of the stain and the level of dirt on the hat. Spot cleaning is perfect for cleaning small areas of a hat without exposing it to a full wash. However, deep cleaning becomes necessary if the hat is really dirty, been sweated in alot. If
I hope these tips have been useful in helping you maintain your hats without ruining them. If you have any personal experiences to share, whether it's a laundry mishap or a successful restoration, feel free to send your stories to abi@thecaptician.com.
