How to Clean Hats, Including Cowboy Hats, Felt Hats, and More

Cowboy hats made of felt or straw are having a major fashion moment right now, thanks to the Western trend that shows no signs of slowing down. Whether worn for fashion or function, you'll want to keep your hats clean and in good shape (literally!) so you can enjoy wearing them for years to come.

"Keep your felt hats looking fresh by giving them a regular cleaning to keep dust and dirt at bay," says Michael Govea, the director of merchandising at Stetson. "Aim for about once a month, adjusting based on how often you wear your hat and how dirty it gets." Straw hats, Govea says, are more forgiving and can be wiped clean on an as-needed basis to remove dirt and dust.

We asked Govea for his expert tips and tricks for cleaning and storing felt and straw hats, which you'll find in this article, along with all the information you need to keep baseball caps clean and looking their best.

How to Clean Felt Hats, Including Cowboy Hats

Cleaning a felt hat, including felt cowboy hats, involves three steps, though you may not need all three, depending on the state of the hat.

Step 1: Brush the Hat

The first step is brushing the hat to remove dirt, dust, and other soils that lend a dingy appearance.

"For basic cleaning," Govea says, "grab your trusty hat sponge and hat brush. When brushing, go with the grain of the felt, working counterclockwise on top and clockwise on the bottom."

Inexpensive hat brushes and sponges can be purchased online, individually or as a set, and Govea offers this important tip for selecting the right tool for the job, "Don't forget the golden rule: Use dark bristles for dark hats and light bristles for light hats."

Consider the following hat brushes:

• Bickmore Felt Hat Cleaning Sponge
• Valentino Garemi Traditional Hat Cleaning Brush (Black Bristles)
• Valentino Garemi Traditional Hat Cleaning Brush (White Bristles)
• 3-Piece Fedora Hat Brush Kit 
  

Step 2: Treat Stains

After brushing away dirt, spot-treat stains on the hat. A small amount of diluted dish soap will remove most stains from hats, including stains from sweat or makeup on the hat's interior sweatband.

Dip a white cloth in a solution of dish soap and water, wring it out well so that it is damp but not dripping, and gently wipe the stained areas. Then, rinse the cloth well, wring it out, and go over the area to remove soap residue, which can oxidize and create a stain of its own if left on the felt.

Using a makeup removal wipe is another way to quickly and easily remove stains, especially on the sweatband, and can be an especially convenient option when traveling (you'll want to keep that hat clean when you're on the road).

For trickier or more set-in stains, Govea says "you can find specialized cleaning products at most hat shops, but I’d advise using them sparingly to avoid any potential damage to the felt. When in doubt, it’s always a safe bet to have a professional hatter handle the cleaning for you."

Step 3: Store Hat

Finally, when storing your hat, bear these tips from Govea in mind. "A hat rack is good for grab-and-go, but for longer periods, I recommend storing felt hats in their original box or, if you’re feeling fancy, investing in a heavy-duty hat box." He also advises that "whenever your hat isn’t on your head, flip it upside down on its crown to maintain the shape of the brim. Otherwise, gravity might have other plans and flatten it out."

How to Clean Straw Hats

Cleaning a straw hat is even easier than caring for their felt counterparts. "A gentle wipe with a soft, dry cloth will whisk away any surface dust," Govea says. 

When straw hats become visibly dirty or grimy, "opt for a damp cloth with a dab of soap, if needed, to remove stubborn grime nestled between the straw fibers," says Govea. However, it is crucial to avoid soaking straw hats, with the exception of hats made of palm leaf. 

Do not hose down straw hats, rinse them with running water, or submerge them in water. And, Govea pleads, do not machine-wash felt or straw hats of any kind. "Believe it or not, I’ve heard of people putting their hats in the washing machine and even dishwashers! I think it goes without saying, don’t do that."

How to Clean Baseball Hats

Baseball hats, unlike their felt or straw counterparts, can be cleaned in a number of ways: Machine washing, hand laundering, or spot treating. All three methods, and why you might opt for one over the other, are detailed in our guide to cleaning baseball hats.

To machine-wash a baseball hat, start by pretreating any stains. Wash baseball caps in a load with other small, lightweight items, using cold water and the delicate cycle. Air-dry the hat by placing a balled-up hand towel in the crown to reshape it.

To hand-launder a baseball hat, fill a sink or container about halfway up with water and add a small amount of liquid laundry detergent or dish soap. Submerge the hat, then use your hands to agitate it, allowing the water and detergent to penetrate its fibers. Soak the hat for 10 to 15 minutes; if the hat is heavily soiled, allow it to soak for an hour or longer, up to overnight. After soaking, rinse the hat well with clean water, gently squeeze the panels to extrude water, then air-dry the hat using the balled-up hand towel method.

To spot-treat a baseball hat, use a slightly damp light-colored cloth or sponge to apply a stain treatment product, laundry detergent, or dish soap to the stain. Working in a circular motion, and using a gentle touch, work the detergent into the stained or soiled area. After removing the stain or stains, rinse the cloth with clean water and go back over the area to remove soap residue. Then, allow the hat to air dry, reshaping using the balled-up towel method if needed.