How to Clean a White Hat
aungcrown
Aung Crown
2021-04-30 13:09:11
A vivid white hat is fun, fresh and bold. You can be as careful as possible with your white accessory, but stains happen. And they'll ruin your stylish white hat, making it dingy or discolored. A stain doesn't mean it's time to put your white cap away for good, though. It's possible to clean a white hat and revive it to its previous stylish self.
Before you toss your hat in the washer and dryer, know that cleaning a white hat is a simple, but often delicate, process. Learn how to clean a white hat below to restore your favorite chapeau or take care of your collection.
Read Your Label
Before you start washing your hat, check the label for any restrictions or advice for cleaning. Some materials aren't bleach-safe, and you may need to wash others at specific temperatures. The label will tell you what materials are in your cap and the right washing methods. You should then adjust how you treat stains on your white hat to suit its materials. Common hat materials and the care they could need include:
Cotton is a durable material that may withstand machine washing.
Wool felt is sometimes suitable for wet washing methods.
Regular wool should only get a hand-wash treatment.
Polyester blends with cotton are durable for different washing methods.
Toyo or paper-braid should only be spot cleaned.
Straw can get a spot clean or hand-wash treatment with cool water.
Leather and suede shouldn't get excessively wet.
Before you toss your hat in the washer and dryer, know that cleaning a white hat is a simple, but often delicate, process. Learn how to clean a white hat below to restore your favorite chapeau or take care of your collection.
Read Your Label
Before you start washing your hat, check the label for any restrictions or advice for cleaning. Some materials aren't bleach-safe, and you may need to wash others at specific temperatures. The label will tell you what materials are in your cap and the right washing methods. You should then adjust how you treat stains on your white hat to suit its materials. Common hat materials and the care they could need include:
Cotton is a durable material that may withstand machine washing.
Wool felt is sometimes suitable for wet washing methods.
Regular wool should only get a hand-wash treatment.
Polyester blends with cotton are durable for different washing methods.
Toyo or paper-braid should only be spot cleaned.
Straw can get a spot clean or hand-wash treatment with cool water.
Leather and suede shouldn't get excessively wet.
One hat may contain different materials. That means washing instructions will vary between hats. Baseball cap visors, for instance, could be cardboard or paper, which should not get wet. Newer baseball caps may include washable materials, instead, like plastic. The tag tells you what will work for your hat based on its various components. And if you have a dry-clean-only cap, listen to the label! Leave it to the professionals to restore and clean your white hat.
You might also see information about the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) — aka sun protection — on your cap. Remember that multiple washes may decrease the effectiveness of the UPF rating, but gentle hand-washing may help the protection last longer.
For whatever reason, you may have a hat without a label. In that case, you'll have to do a bit of research. If you remember where you got the accessory, contact the shop. If not, look it up online to see what materials it contains or take it to a professional who can help.
Methods for Cleaning a White Hat
Depending on what the tag tells you, there are a few ways to get stains out of a white hat or clean it. Gentle methods are the best place to start when treating stains or cleaning your hat. Then, if you need to, work up to different methods if they're suitable for the material. Here are various methods for cleaning a white hat.
Hand-Washing
For a more delicate cleaning method for your white hat than the washing machine, try hand-washing. In general, you can hand-wash a white hat that consists of cotton, cotton blends, wool felt or synthetic materials. Remember, the label is the deciding factor, and other materials may recommend hand-washing, as well. To hand-wash a white hat, follow these general steps.
You might also see information about the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) — aka sun protection — on your cap. Remember that multiple washes may decrease the effectiveness of the UPF rating, but gentle hand-washing may help the protection last longer.
For whatever reason, you may have a hat without a label. In that case, you'll have to do a bit of research. If you remember where you got the accessory, contact the shop. If not, look it up online to see what materials it contains or take it to a professional who can help.
Methods for Cleaning a White Hat
Depending on what the tag tells you, there are a few ways to get stains out of a white hat or clean it. Gentle methods are the best place to start when treating stains or cleaning your hat. Then, if you need to, work up to different methods if they're suitable for the material. Here are various methods for cleaning a white hat.
Hand-Washing
For a more delicate cleaning method for your white hat than the washing machine, try hand-washing. In general, you can hand-wash a white hat that consists of cotton, cotton blends, wool felt or synthetic materials. Remember, the label is the deciding factor, and other materials may recommend hand-washing, as well. To hand-wash a white hat, follow these general steps.
Choose a cleaner: A small amount of laundry detergent, hydrogen peroxide or mild dish soap could work. Find detergent formulas that are suitable for hand-washing if you go that route. If you're trying to clean a white hat made of wool felt, use a detergent formulated for the material.
Add the cleaner to water: Fill a clean sink, tub or bin with water. Use cool water for wool felt and warm — but not hot — water for cotton and cotton blends. Add either a tablespoon of detergent, a cup of hydrogen peroxide or a few drops of dish soap and stir the solution.
Soak the hat: As long as your hat isn't a material that shouldn't have exposure to excess water, soak it. Agitate the hat a bit as it's soaking to get it clean. Be sure not to wring the hat in or out of the water.
Scrub stains: Hand-washing is ideal for a refresh and general clean. If your hat has stains, work at them with a soft-bristled brush. A new toothbrush or clean, soft dish brush will work, depending on the material and the size of the stain. Be sure not to scrub too hard.
Rinse the hat: Drain the water and cleaning solution and fill the container, sink or tub with clean water. Submerge the hat again and agitate. Drain the water and repeat this process until the water runs clear.
Dry the hat: Once you've hand-washed your hat, let it air dry. Place it on a clean, dry, white towel or a drying rack. For knit hats and similar styles, roll them loosely in a clean, dry, white towel and press lightly to get out excess water. Unroll and leave out to dry.
Add the cleaner to water: Fill a clean sink, tub or bin with water. Use cool water for wool felt and warm — but not hot — water for cotton and cotton blends. Add either a tablespoon of detergent, a cup of hydrogen peroxide or a few drops of dish soap and stir the solution.
Soak the hat: As long as your hat isn't a material that shouldn't have exposure to excess water, soak it. Agitate the hat a bit as it's soaking to get it clean. Be sure not to wring the hat in or out of the water.
Scrub stains: Hand-washing is ideal for a refresh and general clean. If your hat has stains, work at them with a soft-bristled brush. A new toothbrush or clean, soft dish brush will work, depending on the material and the size of the stain. Be sure not to scrub too hard.
Rinse the hat: Drain the water and cleaning solution and fill the container, sink or tub with clean water. Submerge the hat again and agitate. Drain the water and repeat this process until the water runs clear.
Dry the hat: Once you've hand-washed your hat, let it air dry. Place it on a clean, dry, white towel or a drying rack. For knit hats and similar styles, roll them loosely in a clean, dry, white towel and press lightly to get out excess water. Unroll and leave out to dry.