On scorching summer days, a classic baseball cap is a wardrobe essential for both you and your kids. However, caps can quickly accumulate dust, dirt, and sweat. While we’ve previously shared tips for removing sweat stains from hats, regular cleaning is equally important. Here are three tried-and-true methods on how to wash a baseball cap and keep it looking as good as new.

Method 1: Hand-Washing

Hand-washing is the safest method to minimize damage to your cap, as recommended by popular brands like New Era, lululemon, and Brixton. Vintage hats, especially those made before 1983 with a cardboard bill, should always be hand-washed to prevent warping. Follow these steps to hand-wash your baseball cap:

Spot Clean Method

1. Begin by removing dust and loose dirt by using condensed air or a bristled vacuum attachment.
2. Apply a mild, color-safe detergent like Woolite to the sweatband and visible stains.
3. Gently scrub the hat using a damp cloth or a soft toothbrush.
4. Rinse off the soap residue with a clean, damp cloth.
5. Lay the cap on a towel to air dry. To help maintain its shape, place a clean T-shirt inside the cap.

Remember to avoid spot cleaning across different color panels to prevent bleeding. Clean one color at a time, as advised by New Era.

Soak Method

1. For cotton twill, acrylic, and polyblend caps, consider fully submerging the hat for a thorough cleaning.
2. Fill a bucket or sink with cool or slightly warm water.
3. Add a teaspoon of gentle, non-bleach detergent and create suds by swishing the water.
4. Allow the cap to soak for 15-30 minutes.
5. Rinse the cap under cool running water until all the suds disappear.
6. Gently squeeze out excess water without twisting or pulling.
7. Lay the cap on a towel to air dry.

Method 2: Washing Machine

If your cap is made of sturdy materials like cotton, cotton blends, acrylic, or mesh with plastic bills, you can safely use a washing machine. Follow these steps to wash your baseball cap:

1. Treat any tough stains with a non-bleach stain remover before washing.
2. Place the hat inside a laundry bag, pillowcase, or hat form to protect it during the wash cycle.
3. Wash the cap on the gentle cycle with slow spin speeds, cool water, and a mild detergent.
4. Once washed, lay the cap on a towel to air dry. Avoid using a dryer, as it can cause damage and shrinkage.

Method 3: Dishwasher (with caution!)

Although it’s not an official recommendation from baseball cap brands, using the dishwasher can be a convenient way to deep clean your hat. However, exercise caution as this method may cause damage. Here’s how to wash a baseball cap in the dishwasher:

1. Place the cap on the top rack of an empty dishwasher. You can wash multiple hats by fitting as many as possible on the top rack. Consider using a hat form to maintain the shape.
2. Add a gentle, bleach-free dishwasher detergent pod to the soap dispenser.
3. Run a light wash cycle using warm or cool temperature settings. Select the “no dry” or “low-heat dry” option.
4. Once the cycle is complete, the hat(s) should still be slightly damp. Lay them on a towel to air dry.

It’s important to note that hand-washing is always the best choice if you’re concerned about preserving the shape and color of your hat.

Following these methods, your beloved baseball caps can stay clean and fresh throughout the summer. For more tips and news on sports, check out Sports News – your ultimate sports resource!

Images courtesy of Pixabay.