How to Clean Hats: The Complete Guide to Washing Every Hat Type

We've all been there. You reach for your favourite hat only to notice the sweat stains around the band, the musty smell, or that mysterious mark you can't quite remember getting. 

Hats often get overlooked in our regular laundry routines. It’s time to change all that. 

Proper hat cleaning isn't just about hygiene—it's about extending the life of your headwear and keeping you looking sharp. Whether you've got a collection of bucket hats, baseball caps, or wool berets, each material requires its own approach.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about cleaning the most common hat types, from quick spot treatments to deep cleaning methods.

Understanding your hat material before cleaning

Before you dunk your hat in water or toss it in the washing machine, stop. 

The single biggest mistake people make when cleaning hats is treating all materials the same. What works brilliantly for a cotton cap can absolutely ruin a wool fedora or straw panama.

Always start by checking the care label inside the hat. This small tag can save you from disaster. If there's no label (common with vintage hats), you'll need to identify the material yourself.

Here’s a quick summary of different hat types and their respective cleaning methods:

• Cotton and canvas hats: These materials are forgiving and generally machine-washable with proper precautions.

• Wool hats: Wool fibres are prone to shrinking and felting when exposed to hot water or aggressive agitation—perfectly good winter hats can be reduced to child-sized versions through improper washing.

• Straw hats: These cannot be submerged in water as the structure will collapse and you'll be left with an expensive mess. They need spot cleaning only.

• Synthetic materials like polyester and nylon: Generally hardy, these hats clean similarly to cotton but dry much faster, making them ideal for active wear.

• Baseball caps with cardboard brims: Pre-1980s caps often contain cardboard stiffeners that will disintegrate when fully submerged. Even some modern, cheaper caps use cardboard, so always check before washing.

How to clean baseball caps and snapbacks

Baseball caps are the most commonly worn hat style, and they're also the most frequently cleaned. We’ve tested every method out there, and here's what actually works.

Hand washing baseball caps

Hand washing gives you complete control and is suitable for virtually all baseball caps.

What you'll need:

• Mild detergent or washing-up liquid

• Soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush

• Clean towels

• Cool or lukewarm water

Step-by-step process:

1. Fill your basin with cool water and add a small amount of mild detergent—about a teaspoon is plenty.
   
   

2. Submerge the cap and let it soak for 15-30 minutes.
   
   

3. Use your soft brush to gently scrub at problem areas. Pay particular attention to the sweatband and brim, where oils and sweat accumulate.
   
   

4. Rinse thoroughly under cool running water until there's no soap residue.
   
   

5. Gently squeeze out excess water. Never wring or twist the cap.
   
   

6. Pat with a clean towel to remove additional moisture.
   
   

7. Air dry on a towel or upturned bowl that maintains the shape. Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent fading. Full drying typically takes 24–48 hours.

Machine washing baseball caps

Machine washing is convenient but riskier. We only recommend it for modern caps with plastic stiffeners, and only if you don’t have the time to wash your cap by hand.

The washing machine method requires a hat cage or frame to protect the shape. If you don't have one, use a mesh laundry bag as a second-best option.

Always use cold water and a gentle cycle. Add mild detergent, but skip the fabric softener. Never tumble dry.

When to avoid machine washing:

• Vintage or antique caps

• Caps with leather patches

• Wool caps

• Any cap with a cardboard brim

According to recent data, 87% of people feel their best when their belongings are clean, which includes maintaining fresh, clean hats.

How to clean wool hats

Wool is wonderfully warm but notoriously tricky to clean. The key is gentleness at every stage.

Spot cleaning wool hats

For light soiling or specific marks, spot cleaning is your best approach.

Use a barely damp cloth with a tiny amount of wool-safe detergent. Dab—never rub—at stained areas. A lint roller works brilliantly for removing surface debris.

For specific stains:

• Grease spots: Apply cornstarch or talcum powder liberally to the stain. Let it sit overnight to absorb the oil, then brush away with a soft hat brush.

• Sweat stains: Mix one part white vinegar with four parts cool water. Dab onto the stain with a clean cloth, then blot dry immediately.

Deep cleaning wool hats

When your wool beanies need a proper wash, use only cool water—never hot. Use a specialist wool wash or baby shampoo.

Gently swish the hat in the water. Don't scrub or agitate vigorously. Support the hat's full weight when lifting it from the water.

Rinse multiple times with cool water until all soap is removed.

Drying wool hats:

1. Reshape the hat whilst it's still damp.

2. Stuff the crown with tissue paper or clean towels to maintain structure.

3. Lay flat to dry on a clean towel away from any heat source. 

Never hang wool hats—they'll stretch and distort.

How to clean straw hats

Straw hats are delightfully lightweight for summer but require careful handling.

Prevention is your best strategy with straw sun hats. Regular dusting with a soft brush removes debris before it becomes embedded.

For spot cleaning, use a lightly dampened cloth—and we mean lightly. The cloth should be barely moist, not wet.

For stubborn marks, create a mild soap solution. Dip your cloth in the solution, wring it out thoroughly, then dab gently at the mark. Immediately dry the area with a clean, dry cloth.

What to avoid:

• Never submerge straw hats in water

• Avoid excessive moisture

• Don't use harsh chemicals or bleach

• Never use heat to speed drying

How to remove common hat stains

There’s nothing worse than finding a mark or stain on your new hat. Luckily, for most stains, there’s a solution—especially if you treat it sooner rather than later.

Sweat stains and odours

Sweat stains are the nemesis of every hat owner, particularly around the sweatband.

Prevention tips:

• Use sweatband liners

• Clean hats regularly

• Store hats with proper ventilation

To remove sweat stains, try the following:

• Bicarbonate of soda paste treatment: Mix bicarbonate of soda with just enough water to form a paste. Apply to the stained area, let it sit for an hour, then brush or rinse away.

• White vinegar solution (four parts water to one part vinegar): Apply with a cloth, let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse.

For odour elimination, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda inside the hat and leave overnight. Shake out in the morning.

Makeup and grease stains

For foundation and makeup stains, shaving cream (the foam kind, not gel) is surprisingly effective. Apply a small amount onto the stain, work it in gently, then rinse.

Rubbing alcohol on a cotton bud also works well for fresh makeup stains. Dab gently—don't rub.

For oil and grease removal, cornstarch or talcum powder helps absorb fresh oil. Cover the stain generously, let it sit for several hours, then brush away. 

For set-in oil stains, a drop of washing-up liquid applied directly can break down the grease. Work it in gently, then rinse thoroughly.

Drying and reshaping hats after cleaning

Proper drying is just as important as proper washing.

Essential tips for air-drying and maintaining shape:

• Never use a tumble dryer or apply direct heat. High temperatures can shrink materials and damage fabric.

• Choose a well-ventilated room at normal temperature. 

• Avoid direct sunlight, which can fade colours.

• Use a hat stand if possible. Alternatively, stuff the crown with clean towels or tissue paper. For crowned hats like fedoras, an upturned bowl of the right size works well.

• Most hats take 24–48 hours to dry completely. Check that the sweatband area is fully dry before wearing.

Hat cleaning mistakes to avoid

Research from the laundry care industry shows that over 6,000 items are washed in the average household annually, but many people are unclear about proper care for specialty items like hats.

Avoid these common mistakes to ensure your hat does not get damaged during cleaning:

• Using hot water on wool causes irreversible shrinkage. Always use cool or lukewarm water.

• Machine washing vintage hats almost always ends badly. The agitation is too aggressive for older materials.

• Over-saturating materials leads to warping, especially with straw or wool.

• Using bleach or harsh chemicals can discolour fabric and weaken fibres. Stick to mild detergents.

• Wringing or twisting hats distorts the shape permanently. Always squeeze gently.

• Heat drying from radiators or hairdryers causes shrinkage and damage. Patience with air drying is essential.

FAQs about cleaning hats

Can you put hats in the washing machine?

It depends on the hat. Modern baseball caps with plastic stiffeners can usually handle machine washing if you use a hat cage and cold water. However, vintage caps, wool hats, and straw hats should never go in the machine.

How often should you clean your hats?

Baseball caps worn during exercise should be cleaned after every few wears. Casual everyday caps can go 4-6 weeks between cleanings. Wool hats may only need cleaning once or twice a season.

What's the best way to remove sweat stains from hats?

A paste of bicarbonate of soda and water applied to the stain, left for an hour, then brushed away, works excellently. For tougher stains, a solution of four parts water to one part white vinegar is effective.

How do you clean a white hat?

Use a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and water as both a cleaner and brightener. For general cleaning, use mild detergent in cool water. Avoid bleach unless the care label specifically recommends it.