Materials You'll Need
Laundry Detergent
Toothbrush
Small Bowl
Towel
Let’s be real, caps get nasty pretty quick.
There is a lot of contradictory information on the web about how to properly clean and wash a cap, so we’re here to clear up some confusion.
Before you begin washing your cap, consider these tips:
Do NOT use a washing machine
Washing machines are notorious for ruining the shape of a hat, even if its washed on the gentle cycle.
Skip the dishwasher, too
You may have heard of this hack, but dishwashers only have one heat setting and its too hot for most hats to handle, which can lead to irreversible damage.
Before washing, be sure to color test the fabric
Some hat fabrics can be delicate, so test out any soaps or detergents in an inconspicuous place such as inside the hat or near the bill to be sure the material isn't discolored or damaged before Wash a Baseball Cap.
Don't soak vintage caps
Hats that were made prior to 1983 generally have cardboard bills, so avoid soaking them to maintain the structure of your hat.
If you're not sure if your hat has a cardboard bill, tap on it and listen for a hollow sound.
If you hear, your bill is most likely made of cardboard.
Do NOT under any circumstances put your cap in the dishwasher.
Caps accumulate sweat, body oils, odors, and anything else you may associate with a smelly teenage boy.
Personally, I don’t want any of that near the dishes I eat off of; if that’s your thing, more power to you.
If that doesn’t bother you, the shrinkage will.
Dishwashers use steaming hot water that is likely to shrink the fabric if used to wash a cap.
Before Washing a Hat
Fabrics
The first thing you need to do is check the fabric care label for any washing instructions beyond this how-to guide.
Always refer to that first.
There are three main types of fabrics newer caps are typically made of.
Cotton Twill
Cotton/Polyester Blend
Polyester Mesh
It is also pertinent to know whether your visor is made of plastic or cardboard.
All caps made from the late 80s on will be plastic, so unless your cap is vintage you don’t have to worry about this.
Cardboard visors will lose their shape, and even mold if submerged in water.
Colors
Next, you need to check your cap for colorfastness.
Again, most newer cap owners won’t have to worry about this, but it never hurts to double check before everyone’s socks turn pink, right?
There are two ways do this.
The first method is to simply rub the fabric vigorously and forcefully on a white sheet of paper.
If no color transfers to the paper, you’re all set.
The second option is to take a clean white rag, and dip it in a mild detergent, add some water and rub the rag on a colored area of the inside of the cap.
If there is no fading once the cap is dry, and no color bled onto the rag then you’re safe to move on to the washing stage.
Washing a cap
Pre-Treating
For dirt and grime stains, spray the cap with a pre-treatment spray and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
For blood and grass stains, soak the cap in a mixture of cold water and liquid detergent for 30 minutes.
You can use both methods, but be sure you spray and let it sit before soaking.
If your cap is extra dirty you can use a clean toothbrush to gently scrub the stains with the cold water/detergent solution until it creates foam, then repeat the soaking process.
You can also deodorize and kill odor-causing bacteria by spraying the inner panels and sweatband with a 50/50 solution made up of rubbing alcohol and water.
How to Hand Wash a Baseball Cap
Step-by-Step Guide
Fill your sink with warm water and a few drops of laundry detergent to your sink before Wash a Baseball Cap.
Soak the baseball cap (if it doesnt have a cardboard bill) in the solution for about 15 minutes.
Note: If your bill is cardboard, spot clean the hat instead.
Rinse the hat thoroughly with cool water and gently pat dry with a towel.
Reshape your hat and set it on an overturned small bowl to drip dry.
Drying
NEVER put your cap in the dryer.
Let it air dry.
You can hang dry it but I recommend you place it on something like a coffee can or a balloon to help keep its form.
You can even wear it while it dries to ensure a perfect fit.