Do you wear your favorite baseball cap all the time? If so, your hat is probably all kinds of dirty and may even be full of sweat stains. Gross.
Unless your goal is to smell and look like you haven't showered in days, it's important to wash your baseball cap! Luckily, it's pretty easy to do, and all you need is some water, detergent, and little bit of time and patience.
Always check the care tag to see if your hat is washable. Is the tag missing? Figure out what kind of fabric your hat is made from instead and follow the care instructions for that material.
The following fabrics are usually safe to wash:
Before you wash your hat*, test to make sure it's colorfast by dampening a cloth and running it under the brim. Any change in color means it's best to avoid getting your hat wet!
*DISCLAIMER: Quality Logo Products® is not responsible for any damage caused by washing your baseball caps or hats. If you're at all unsure, contact the manufacturer directly for more information.
You shouldn't clean wool, leather, felt, or suede hats in the washer or dishwasher. These materials can easily lose their shape and unravel in the machine.
The best way to deep clean a baseball cap is to wash it by hand. This is fairly easy to do, and you only need about 30 minutes of your time!
Follow these steps to wash your baseball caps:
Mix Detergent & Cool Water
Grab an old bowl and fill it with cool water and ½ cup of mild detergent. Are you fresh out of detergent? You can also use a gentle shampoo!
Scrub the Hat
Gently scrub at the dirt using a brush, sponge, or toothbrush. Be sure not to use too much elbow grease, or you could scratch your cap! You can also submerge the entire hat in the bowl for about 10 minutes if it's really dirty.
Use Color-Safe Bleach on White Hats
White hats can be more stubborn than others to clean. To get rid of stains, look for a bleach that's labelled as “color-safe” or “non-chlorine.” You should then scrub the hat again with the solution.
Rinse With Cool Water
Hot water is a big no-no when it comes to washing your baseball caps. Keep the water nice and cool instead.
Air Dry
Your baseball cap should never go in the dryer! Hang it over a clothesline, on your shower rod, or better yet, on a hat stand and let it naturally air dry.
Athletes and fitness buffs know the struggle of having sweat stains in their baseball caps. The good news is you probably have everything you need to clean these right in your kitchen cabinet!
Do the following to remove sweat stains from your hat:
If the stain persists, try spraying it down with distilled white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. The acidity will work as a natural cleaner and break down any buildup on your hat.
Let's say you just ran a marathon wearing your baseball cap and now it smells extremely terrible! Do everyone a favor and make your hat smell fresh as a daisy once again by sprinkling baking soda on the inside, letting it sit for about 30 minutes, and then shaking it out.
Remove mold from your hat by mixing lemon juice, salt, and cool water in a bowl. Soak the hat in the water and then let it dry in the sun. The sun will naturally kill many different types of mold spores.
Baseball caps are usually safe to clean in the washing machine. Double check the material that's used to make your hat, and when in doubt, consult the care tag for more information.
If your hat is machine washable, be sure to:
Your washing machine can't do everything! Spot clean your baseball cap with a stain remover before you start the load.
Hats with a plastic brim can be safely cleaned in the machine. If the brim is made from cardboard, it's best to wash your hat by hand instead.
Baseball caps usually contain some kind of elastic that can be damaged in the washing machine. Avoid this issue by rinsing on a delicate setting with cool water.
Think of this laundry like the bullies on the playground. They're bulky, heavy, and will beat up your hat if they're together in the machine.
Be proactive and throw your cap in a mesh laundry bag before washing. After all, the last thing you want is for the hat to get tangled in the machine!
Are you concerned about your baseball cap losing its shape? You can solve this problem with a machine washable hat holder. Find one at retail stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, or online through Amazon.
Machine washing is recommended for your most worn and beaten hats. Structured or fitted hats like snapbacks, on the other hand, should be cleaned by hand as it's less damaging.
You can wash most baseball caps in the dishwasher. Just be sure to place the hat on the top rack, securing it with plastic clothespins. Run your dishwasher on a delicate or china wash cycle.
It's also important to use a gentle dishwashing soap that does not contain any bleach and isn't lemon scented. Either one could cause damage to your hat and make it lose its vibrant color.
Please note, there are sources that recommend avoiding the dishwasher altogether when it comes to cleaning your hat. However, if you're in a pinch, this method will work as long as you're careful about which cycle and detergent you use.
Your baseball cap should never go in the dryer. The high heat could damage the hat and make it lose its structure. Not to mention, your hat might shrink while in the dryer!
It might seem crazy, but you can get wrinkles out of your baseball cap by popping it on your head and then taking a hot shower. Keep in mind, this might also cause the hat to shrink a little, so proceed with caution.
Another option is to use a handheld steamer or hair dryer. Either way, make sure to keep the heat about 8 to 10 inches away. High temperatures are great for removing wrinkles, but they also may cause damage to your cap.
Some hats simply can't get wet. You can clean this type of hat by using a microfiber cloth, or even a handheld vacuum to get rid of any dirt or debris. It's also safe to use baking soda to hide smells and white vinegar to get rid of stains.
It's really up to you as to how often you wash your baseball cap. If you want to avoid smells or stains, aim to clean it at least 2 to 3 times every season. Increase it to once a week if you wear your favorite hat all the time!
Of course, baseball caps are probably not the only type of hat that you have at home. You likely have even more headwear that needs washing!
Here's how to wash your other hats:
Brr…it's getting chilly outside! Keep your beanie hats nice and clean by washing them in the machine with cool water and a mild detergent. Hang them up to air dry afterward.
Summer is the perfect time to wear a straw hat to the beach! Get rid of any sand by submerging the hat in water for 5 to 10 minutes. You can then let it dry while you're having fun in the sun!
The fastest way to clean a visor is by using a stain remover, but you can also wash them by hand with a mild detergent and cool water. Air dry at the end.
Fashionable folks love to wear wool or felt hats for a date, or even out running errands. If that sounds like you, clean your hat by submerging it in soapy, cool water. Just like every other hat, air dry at the end to avoid damage.
You should never machine wash your snapback hats! It's much better to hand wash them instead using cool water and a mild dishwashing soap. Air dry at the end, securing the cap by the brim with clothespins.
You wouldn't go long without washing your t-shirts, socks, and underwear. Why should baseball caps and hats be any different? A good cleaning may just make yours look brand new!
Alyssa is the Lead Copywriter at Quality Logo Products. As a promo expert, she's uncovered the world's first custom tote bag, interviewed the guy behind rock band ACDC's logo, and had a piece published by the Advertising Specialty Institute, a leader in the promotional products industry.
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