Last month marked the kickoff of the Major League Baseball season. If you’re an avid fan you probably have a lucky hat or two lying around. As you don your hat for another sunny day you should probably ask yourself—when was the last time you cleaned your baseball cap? Over time your hat is sure to collect sweat, dust and oil which can lead to discoloration and smell. At Prestige Cleaners we can help!
Older hats
There are several ways to wash an old hat and it all depends on what it’s made out of. Many older hats are made with a cardboard brim that makes it difficult to clean. These hats should be handled with care and spot cleaned as necessary.
Dissolve some detergent into warm water and use a towel to lightly scrub any stains or spots on the hat. You may want to use a toothbrush for some stains but be careful not to soak the brim. Use a separate, damp towel to wipe away the detergent and then let the hat air dry.
Washing an older hat in a machine or by soaking in water will ruin the cardboard that’s holding the hat together.
Machine washing
Newer hats are usually made with plastic and can be machine washable. Always check the tag before throwing it into your washing machine.
Set your washing machine to a cool temperature and be sure to use a detergent that does not have bleach in it. For the best results, we recommend using a hat form or head mold to help your hat keep its shape. This is especially important if your washing machine has a center agitator.
Always let your hat air dry for the best results.
Hand wash
Though it’s time consuming, washing your hat by hand may be the safest way to clean your baseball cap at home.
Fill a bucket with warm water and a mild detergent. Use shampoo on a sift brush to scrub difficult or set-in stains and then allow your hat to soak for a half hour or several hours.
Beware as you scrub not to be too rough on the edges of the cap or any stitching or patches on the front. The more you scrub, the more likely you are to fade colors and wear out the fabric.
After the soaking is done, rinse the cap well and allow it to air dry.
Bring it to us
The easiest way to clean your beloved baseball cap is to bring it into Prestige. Our experienced staff know all the best techniques to remove stains and smells and keep colors looking vibrant. We’ll have you ready for the big game in no time!