You’ve got a favorite hat, maybe it’s a well-worn baseball cap that’s been with you through countless weekend errands, or a wool fedora you save for cooler months. Either way, it’s starting to look a little rough. Sweat stains around the brim, a faint odor you can’t ignore, maybe some discoloration creeping in. You know it needs a wash, but tossing it into the washing machine feels like a gamble you’re not ready to take. Here’s the thing: washing a hat the wrong way can ruin it faster than never washing it at all. Shrinkage, warping, fading, these are real risks if you don’t match your cleaning method to the material. The best way to wash hats depends entirely on what they’re made of, how dirty they are, and how much time you’re willing to invest. This guide walks you through every reliable method, handwashing, dishwasher tricks, machine washing, and spot cleaning, so you can keep your hats looking fresh without the stress. Whether you’re dealing with a sweaty baseball cap or a delicate wool hat, you’ll find the right approach here. Most people don’t think about washing their hats until things get noticeably bad. A visible sweat ring, a musty smell after a long day outdoors, or a stain that wasn’t there last week. But by that point, you’re already playing catch-up. Proper hat cleaning isn’t just about aesthetics. It directly extends the lifespan of your headwear and keeps it looking the way the manufacturer intended. Incorrect washing methods, and we’re talking hot water on wool, wringing out a structured cap, or throwing everything into a standard wash cycle, can cause shrinkage, color fading, shape distortion, and outright fabric damage. Think about it this way: a quality hat can last years with the right care, but one bad wash can turn it into something you’d never wear again. The brim curls weird, the crown loses its shape, or the color bleeds unevenly. None of that is fixable after the fact. There’s also a hygiene angle worth mentioning. Hats sit directly against your skin, soaking up sweat, oils, and environmental grime. Over time, this buildup can irritate your scalp or cause breakouts along your hairline. Regular, proper cleaning keeps things sanitary without compromising the hat’s structure. For busy professionals and families who rely on hats daily, whether for sun protection, style, or just keeping hair under control during a hectic morning, knowing the best ways to wash hats saves both money and frustration in the long run. Before you do anything, flip your hat over and check the inside. Most hats have a small tag or printed label along the inner band that tells you two crucial things: what the hat is made of and how the manufacturer recommends cleaning it. This step takes five seconds and can save you from a costly mistake. A cotton baseball cap and a wool felt hat look similar enough from the outside, but they require completely different cleaning approaches. The same goes for leather, polyester blends, and natural fibers like raffia or straw. If the care label is missing or faded (common with older hats), you can usually identify the material by feel and appearance. Cotton feels soft and slightly textured. Wool has a denser, slightly fuzzy surface. Leather is smooth and firm. Polyester tends to feel slick or synthetic. When in doubt, treat the hat as if it’s made from the most delicate possible material, you can always be more aggressive later, but you can’t undo damage. Different materials react differently to water, heat, and detergent. Here’s a quick breakdown: Material Water Temperature Key Consideration Cotton Cool water Hand wash with gentle detergent Wool Cold water only Use wool-specific detergent: shrinks in hot water Leather Avoid soaking Spot clean only: use leather conditioner Raffia Cool water Dry immediately to prevent water damage Cotton and polyester hats are the most forgiving, they can handle a wider range of cleaning methods. Wool requires extra caution because hot water will shrink it, sometimes dramatically. Leather should never be fully submerged: stick to spot cleaning with a damp cloth and follow up with a leather conditioner. And raffia or straw hats? Get them dry as quickly as possible after any contact with water to avoid warping or mildew. Once you know what you’re working with, choosing the right cleaning method becomes straightforward. Hand washing is widely considered the best way to wash baseball hats, and for good reason. It gives you total control over water temperature, agitation, and how much pressure you apply to specific areas. No machine can match that level of precision, especially when you’re dealing with structured brims, embroidered logos, or sweat-stained headbands. This method works for cotton, polyester, and most blended-fabric caps. If your hat has a cardboard brim (common in vintage or older caps), hand washing is really your only safe option, submerging cardboard in water will warp it beyond repair. Gather these supplies before you start: A clean basin, bucket, or sink Mild detergent (dish soap works in a pinch, but avoid anything with bleach or harsh chemicals) A soft-bristled brush, an old toothbrush is perfect for targeted scrubbing A clean cloth or microfiber towel Cool water Clean dry towels A hat form or a round object like a coffee canister (optional, but helpful for drying) Fill your basin with cool water and add a small amount of mild detergent. Let it dissolve fully before adding the hat, you don’t want concentrated detergent sitting directly on the fabric. Submerge the hat and let it soak for one to two minutes. This loosens surface dirt and softens dried sweat stains without requiring aggressive scrubbing. Gently scrub problem areas using your soft-bristled brush or cloth. Pay special attention to the inner headband and the underside of the brim, these are the spots that collect the most oil and grime. Use light, circular motions rather than back-and-forth scrubbing, which can fray fabric. Rinse thoroughly with cool water until all soap residue is completely gone. Leftover detergent can leave white marks or make the fabric feel stiff once it dries. Pat the hat dry with a clean towel to absorb excess water. Don’t wring or twist the hat, this is one of the fastest ways to permanently distort its shape. Air dry on a towel or hat form in a well-ventilated area. Keep it away from direct sunlight and heat sources, both of which can cause fading and shrinkage. If you’re using a hat form or a round object to maintain the crown’s shape, now’s the time to place the hat on it. The whole process takes about 10 to 15 minutes of active work, plus drying time. It’s not complicated, but it does require a bit of patience, especially if the hat is heavily soiled and needs a second pass. This one surprises a lot of people, but yes, the dishwasher can be a legitimate cleaning tool for hats. In fact, the best way to wash hats in the dishwasher works particularly well for cotton and polyester baseball caps because dishwashers use water pressure rather than the tumbling agitation of a washing machine. That means less stress on the hat’s shape and structure. That said, this method comes with caveats, and it’s not appropriate for every hat. The dishwasher method is best suited for sturdy, structured caps made from cotton or polyester with plastic brims. It’s a solid option when you need to clean multiple hats at once or when hand washing feels like too much effort for a moderately dirty cap. Don’t use this method for: Wool, felt, or leather hats Hats with cardboard brims Vintage or delicate hats with decorative elements that could detach Any hat whose care label specifically warns against machine or dishwasher cleaning Here’s how to do it without ruining your cap: Make sure the dishwasher is clean and completely empty. You don’t want food residue or grease from last night’s dishes transferring onto your hat. Run a rinse cycle first if needed. Place the hat on the top rack. Ideally, use a hat frame or cage designed to hold the cap’s shape during the cycle. If you don’t have one, position the hat so it’s secure and won’t flip around. Add dishwasher detergent, just a normal amount in the dispenser. Don’t add rinse aid or any products with bleach. Run a normal cycle on low heat or a light wash setting. Avoid heavy-duty or high-temperature cycles, which can warp the brim or cause colors to bleed. Remove the hat immediately after the cycle finishes and air dry it right away. Don’t leave it sitting in the humid dishwasher, as that environment encourages mildew. We offer convenient, professional laundry services delivered right to your door. Download the app and schedule pickup today for fast, affordable care of your clothes. Is this method as gentle as hand washing? No. But it’s considerably safer than a washing machine for most structured caps, and it’s undeniably convenient when you’re short on time. Let’s be real, sometimes you just want to throw the hat in the wash and be done with it. And in certain cases, you can. But the washing machine is the riskiest of the three immersion methods, so you need to take precautions. The most important thing: never wash a hat loose in the drum. Place it inside a protective hat washer cage, a mesh delicates bag, or even a pillowcase tied at the open end. This prevents the hat from getting battered around and losing its shape. Here are the key rules for machine washing hats: Use cold water only. Hot or even warm water increases the risk of shrinkage and color bleeding. Select the gentle or delicate cycle. You want minimal agitation. Use a mild detergent and skip the bleach entirely. Avoid machines with a center-post agitator. Those vertical spindles in the middle of older top-loading machines are brutal on hats. Front-loading washers or top-loaders with impellers (the low-profile disc at the bottom) are much gentler options. Remove the hat as soon as the cycle ends. Don’t let it sit in the drum, moisture plus confinement equals mildew and shape loss. After removing the hat, reshape it by hand while it’s still damp and place it on a hat form or rounded object to air dry. Keep it away from direct heat and sunlight. Machine washing works best for everyday cotton or polyester caps that don’t have delicate embellishments. But if you’re dealing with a hat you really care about, a fitted cap with a specific curve, a limited-edition design, anything with sentimental value, hand washing is still the safer bet. And if you’d rather not deal with the hassle of figuring out cycles and settings, services like Clotheslyne can take laundry tasks off your plate entirely. Their locally vetted laundry professionals handle your items with care, using eco-friendly products, which means your hats (and everything else) get the attention they deserve without you lifting a finger. Not every hat needs a full wash. Sometimes you’ve just got a small stain on the brim or the headband smells a little off after a long day. That’s where spot cleaning comes in, it’s fast, low-risk, and works on virtually every hat material, including leather and wool. Here’s the process: Mix a small amount of mild laundry detergent with warm water in a bowl. You want just enough suds to work with, not a foamy mess. Dip a clean cloth into the solution and gently dab or wipe the stained area. Focus on the inner headband and any visible marks on the outer surface. For tougher stains, use a soft-bristled brush to work the solution into the fabric with light, circular motions. Don’t scrub hard, you’re cleaning, not sanding. Rinse the cloth with clean water and wipe the area again to remove soap residue. Air dry the hat in a ventilated spot, away from heat. Spot cleaning is especially useful between deeper washes. If you wear a hat daily, doing a quick spot clean once a week can prevent stains from setting in and reduce how often you need a full wash. It’s the maintenance approach, small effort now saves bigger effort later. For sweat stains specifically, a paste of baking soda and water applied to the stain for 15–20 minutes before wiping away can work wonders. Just test it on a hidden area first to make sure it doesn’t affect the color. Here’s where a lot of people go wrong. They do everything right during the washing phase and then toss the hat on a radiator or leave it crumpled on the counter. Drying is just as important as washing when it comes to maintaining a hat’s shape and appearance. Always air dry your hats. Place them on a clean towel or, even better, a hat form in a well-ventilated area. A hat form doesn’t need to be anything fancy, a small bowl turned upside down, a balled-up towel, or a coffee canister all work to keep the crown rounded and structured. Things to avoid during drying: Machine dryers, the heat and tumbling action will shrink most hats and can warp brims beyond repair. Direct sunlight, UV exposure fades colors, especially on darker hats. Heat sources like radiators or hair dryers, concentrated heat causes uneven shrinkage and can damage certain materials. The key window for reshaping is while the hat is still slightly damp. At this stage, the fabric is pliable enough to mold back into its original form. Adjust the brim curve, smooth out the crown, and make sure the hat sits naturally on your form. Once it dries completely, whatever shape it’s in is pretty much locked in. Drying time varies by material and humidity, but most hats take anywhere from a few hours to overnight. Don’t rush it. A properly dried hat looks like it was never washed in the first place, and that’s exactly the goal. Even with good intentions, it’s easy to make mistakes that compromise your hat. Here are the most common ones: Using hot water on wool hats. Wool is incredibly heat-sensitive. Hot water causes the fibers to contract and felt together, leading to significant shrinkage. Always use cold water, no exceptions. Wringing or twisting the hat to remove water. This distorts the hat’s shape, especially around the brim and crown. Pat it dry with a towel instead. Machine drying or using direct heat. We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. The dryer is a hat’s worst enemy. Air dry, always. Soaking leather hats. Leather and water don’t mix well. Full submersion can cause the leather to stiffen, crack, or warp. Spot cleaning with a barely damp cloth is the only safe approach. Neglecting to remove all detergent residue. Soap left behind leaves white streaks, makes fabric stiff, and can actually attract more dirt over time. Rinse until the water runs completely clear. Skipping the hat form during drying. Without support, wet hats dry in whatever flattened or crumpled position they land in. A hat form or substitute keeps the crown and brim in their intended shape. Washing too infrequently, or too often. Both extremes cause problems. Letting grime build up makes stains harder to remove, while over-washing wears down fabric and fading accelerates. For most people, washing a regularly worn hat every two to four weeks strikes the right balance. Hand washing remains the gentlest and most universally recommended method across all hat materials. It gives you the most control and carries the lowest risk of damage. When in doubt, default to hand washing. Finding the best way to wash hats comes down to knowing your material, choosing the right method, and being patient with the drying process. Hand washing gives you the most control and works for nearly every type of hat. The dishwasher is a surprisingly effective alternative for sturdy cotton and polyester caps. Machine washing can work in a pinch if you protect the hat and use gentle settings. And spot cleaning handles the in-between moments when a full wash isn’t necessary. The common thread across all these methods? Cool water, mild detergent, gentle handling, and air drying. Get those four things right, and your hats will stay clean, shaped, and wearable for years. Of course, if laundry in general feels like one more thing on an already packed to-do list, you don’t have to do it all yourself. Clotheslyne‘s on-demand laundry pickup and delivery service connects you with vetted local professionals who handle your laundry with care, using eco-friendly products and delivering everything clean and folded right back to your door. It’s one less thing to worry about, so you can spend your time on what actually matters. For those who prefer professional laundry care, Clotheslyne provides an ideal solution. Through the app, you can hire Clotheslyners for expert laundry services, including washing, drying, and folding of clothes and bulky items. Choosing Clotheslyne ensures your laundry is handled with care and expertise. It’s convenient for those who value their time and prefer professional laundry services. To use Clotheslyne, download the iOS Apple App or Google Play Store Android app to schedule your laundry pick up. You can also schedule your laundry pick up through our web portal. Fill up a tall kitchen bag full of clothes. A Clotheslyner in your community will pick it up and deliver it back to you washed, dried, and folded in 48 hours. It’s that simple. Got a question for us? Head over to our contact us page and make a custom request by email or by phone! We’re here to help. Yes, you can wash some hats in the dishwasher, but only cotton and polyester caps without cardboard components. While this method saves time and effectively removes dirt, it risks damaging delicate stitching and may cause shrinkage or warping from heat exposure. Never place leather, suede, wool, straw, or vintage hats in the dishwasher as this will cause permanent damage. Hats can be ruined in a washing machine if not properly protected. The tumbling motion can distort the shape and damage the brim, especially for structured hats. To safely machine wash suitable hats, use a protective hat cage or mesh delicates bag, select the delicate cycle with cold water, and avoid harsh detergents. Hand washing remains the safest method for most hats. Clean wool hats by hand washing with specialized wool detergent in cool water. Gently spot clean stains without rubbing vigorously. Soak the hat briefly, then rinse thoroughly without wringing. Reshape while damp and allow to air dry away from direct heat or sunlight. Never use hot water, harsh chemicals, or machine washing, as these will cause the wool to mat or shrink. Yes, baking soda effectively removes sweat stains and odors from hats. Create a paste with water and baking soda, gently apply it to stained areas, and let it sit for 15-30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. For stubborn stains, apply the paste with a soft brush using circular motions. This natural cleaning method works well without harsh chemicals that might damage the hat’s fabric. To clean a smelly hat, sprinkle baking soda inside and let it sit overnight to absorb odors, then shake out excess. Alternatively, use a fabric refresher spray designed for odor elimination, or place dryer sheets inside the hat when not in use. For deeper cleaning, hand wash with mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, and air dry completely before wearing to prevent mildew development. Test your hat’s brim by gently tapping or flicking it. Cardboard brims produce a hollow sound and feel stiff but slightly flexible. These are commonly found in vintage hats made before the 1980s. If you’re unsure, check the hat’s care label or gently press on the underside of the brim. Cardboard-brimmed hats should only be spot cleaned, as submerging them in water will distort the shape. Air drying is the best method for all hat types. Reshape the hat while damp and place it on a supportive container like a coffee can, rolled towel, or specialized hat form to maintain its shape. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources, which can cause fading and warping. For faster drying, use a fan or hair dryer on the coolest setting, positioned at least 6 inches away. Avoid chlorine bleach on white hats as it can damage fabrics and cause yellowing. Instead, use oxygen-based bleach (like OxiClean) for stubborn stains on white cotton or polyester hats. Always dilute according to package instructions and test on an inconspicuous area first. For wool, silk, or vintage hats, skip bleach entirely and use specialized gentle cleaners to prevent permanent damage.
Why Washing Your Hats the Right Way Matters
How to Identify Your Hat’s Material and Care Label
Common Hat Materials and Their Cleaning Needs
Best Way to Wash Baseball Hats by Hand
What You’ll Need
Step-by-Step Hand Washing Process
Best Way to Wash Hats in the Dishwasher
When to Use the Dishwasher Method
How to Dishwasher-Wash a Hat Safely
Get Your Laundry Done in 24–48 Hours with Clotheslyne
Best Ways to Wash Hats in the Washing Machine
How to Spot Clean Hats for Quick Freshening
Drying and Reshaping Your Hats After Washing
Common Hat Washing Mistakes to Avoid
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash my hat in the dishwasher?
Do hats get ruined in the wash?
How do I clean a wool hat without damaging it?
Does baking soda get sweat stains out of hats?
How do you clean a smelly hat?
How do I know if my hat has a cardboard brim?
What’s the best way to dry a hat after washing?
Can I use bleach on my white hat?
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