STORAGE & CARE

Basic Materials

Methods for how to clean a hat depends on the item in question, but good maintenance for almost every type of hat is easy if you have a few of these items on hand:

  • Hooks and pegs to hang your hat on

  • Waterproof spray made specifically for headwear to avoid moisture damage

  • Vinyl hat cover or a hat storage box to help minimize dust and lint

  • Hat inserts to help keep the crown shape (ex: tissue paper)

  • A hat brush or sponge to remove lint or light stains

Having a few of these items at your disposal will save you a lot of trouble and help preserve your hat .

First Things First

It’s critical that you first determine what type of hat you are cleaning, and what material it is made of. Look at the label to determine the materials it’s made of, and how you can wash it. “Dry Clean Only” means just that. Ensure that you know how old the hat is, as age can certainly play a part in how you approach cleaning a hat. You should only spot clean hats that may be very old, or are in a delicate state.


If you’re unsure what a particular hat is made of, take a good look at it. You can usually determine what it’s made of by comparing it against another hat. Once you know what materials you’re dealing with, it’s time to move on to the next step.

Fur, Felt & Wool

Learning how to clean a hat made from these kinds of materials is going to be extra important, since headwear from this material will often compose some of the fanciest parts of your collection. For felt and wool hats that are just a little dirty or dusty, gentle strokes in a counter-clockwise motion with a soft bristle brush will often do the trick and make it good as new. For more drastic messes and stains, cleaning with a powder cleaner and drying with a steam cleaner should be done by a professional.
No matter how you choose to clean this type of hat, it should all be stored in the same way: from a hook or hat box, making sure that the brim is facing outward so as to help it keep the shape you love.

Canvas Hats

Whether you’re going with an authentic Greek fisherman’s cap or one of your favorite old-school baseball hats, canvas remains one of the sturdiest and easiest to clean materials on the market. There’s a good chance you’ve got a hat of this type at home. A damp cloth is all you’ll need, but you can feel free to use powder cleaners for some of the tougher stains.


Straw Hats

Because of the delicate nature of the material, cleaning straw hats can sometimes feel fraught with peril. But you can easily clean a hat of this nature simply by using a gentle touch and some items you might already have around the house!

Straw can be cleaned with a damp cloth (not soaking!) and a soft sponge. As long as you don’t press too hard, the same things you use to keep your kitchen clean will also function as great straw hat maintenance tools. Be sure to use only a damp cloth. A soaking wet cloth or sponge can cause water damage to the hat. Gently wipe in a counter clockwise direction to avoid damaging the unique pattern of the weave. If the hat needs more than a surface cleaning, you can move on to a clean, damp cloth or use a product formulated specifically for straw hats. Wet with a small amount of dish soap and water, then test an inconspicuous, small area of the hat to make sure it’s safe to continue.

The most important measure you can take when learning how to clean a straw hat is a preventative one: keep it out of the rain and store it away from moist areas.
 
When it comes to drying, Let the hat air dry in a cool, well ventilated area, away from direct sunlight to avoid fading. Never use artificial heat like a hair dryer or heater as this can also damage your hat. These tips should hold fast whether you’re cleaning a regular straw hat or one made from material like raffia.

Wool Blends and Cotton

Cleaning a cloth hat is simplicity itself. Most stains can be wiped clean with a soft brush and a little bit of water. The only thing to keep in mind when it comes to how to clean a cloth hat (like a wool blend or cotton cap) is the style of cloth for the hat in question. If the material is waxed or oiled, you can rinse it off and clean with a simple dust rag, but if the cloth is untreated you might have to use a brush and powder cleaner (not dissimilarly to felt hat care). Either way, none of your cloth hats should give you much of a hassle when it comes to keeping them in tip top shape.


Suede Leather and Pure Leather


For Suede, you’ll want to gently brush dirt and grime off with soft bristles brushes, and you can even use an emery cloth to raise the nap. Suede bars or “suede erasers” are a simple way to easily clean milder stains. If the inside of your hat is getting a little smelly, a little baby oil and warm water is important for knowing how to clean a hat of this kind from some stronger odors. Oil stains can be dusted with cornstarch or talcum powder. Let it sit on the stain for several hours to absorb the oil, then simply gently brush it away.


Leather is a little bit different. To start, it’s best to pre-treat a leather hat, to protect it from the elements and against future damage. Stains can be tough to get out once they’re in there, but you can condition your hats against disrepair by treating them with protector that helps repel water and prevent stains on the surface. The protector should be applied to your leather at least once a year. More frequently is advised if your hat is exposed to harsh weather on a frequent basis.


Basic Reminders

Sometimes general rules can be as important to remember as the specifics that come with each type of hat. As you might have noticed, felt hat care tends to be the most intensive type of hat cleaning, but here are some basics to keeping your headwear in great shape.

  • Store your headwear away from direct heat, direct sunlight, and moisture

  • If your hat gets damp due to rain or snow, make sure to immediately hang and air dry it in a cool place

  • Gently use a soft bristle hat brush and lint roller to clean your hat with little to no trouble (Be gentle with hat while cleaning)

  • Regular cleanings, even when your hats aren’t dirty, will keep them looking sharp for longer


Lastly, remember not to panic if your hat gets a stain, a strain or a pinch in the fabric every so often. These are your hats, and they reflect your personal style and the life you’ve lived. Normal wear and tear can add a lot of character to your favorite hats, so if it’s not so bad that it compromises your personal aesthetic, you should wear your hats with pride!


Long Life, High Quality and Stylish

We hope you’ve gotten a better understanding of how to store & care for your hat purchase. Whether you’re trying to rock a derby or a Felt Fedora hat with flair and style. Why not put some of that new knowledge of intensive felt hat care to use with a new brim from SagebyEsh Accessories Collection.

The Essential Accessories Brand Period!