Caring for Fabric Hats

• Fabric hats are the most forgiving when it comes to handling. 
• If your fabric hat is blocked or shaped (e.g. fabric fedora hat), then it is still best to handle by its brim rather than its crown. 
• If your fabric hat/cap is a cut-and-sewn style (e.g. flat cap, cotton bucket hat, etc.), then no special handling is required. 
• Avoid handling your fabric hat/cap with dirty or oily hands to prevent stains. 
• Delicate fabric hats/caps such as those made of silk and/or antiques should be handled with care. 

• Generally, fabric hats and caps are the easiest to store as well. 
• Storage will depend on its shape and/or blocking. 

• Blocked or Shaped Fabric Hat Storage
• Similar to other blocked styles, your fabric hat should be placed on a hat stand or hat cradle/form, or hung on a hat tree or hook for short-term storage. 
• For long-term storage, place your fabric hat into a hat box with dedicated hat cradle or form. A regular box with lid may be used; simply add a cradle made of tissue paper and place your hat crown down (upside down) into the box. 
• As for other hat material types, avoid storing fabric hats in or near direct sunlight, heat, or humidity. 
• Cut-and-Sewn Fabric Hat Storage
• For short-term storage, hang your fabric hat or cap on a hat tree or hook. 
• For long-term storage, place your fabric hat or cap into a hat box or dedicated bin or drawer.
• Special hat cradles or hat forms are not necessary, but if you prefer, you may stuff the crown of your fabric hat/cap with tissue paper to prevent wrinkles. 
• Steam may be safely used on most fabric types to smooth out any wrinkles. See "Steaming" section below for details. 
• Avoid storing your fabric hat in or near direct sunlight, heat, or humidity. 

• Avoid using a brush on delicate or looser fabric types such as woolen tweed.
• These are best dusted with a hand vacuum set to low to avoid pilling.
• A soft-bristled hat brush may be used to dust common tight-knit or woven fabric types such as cotton and linen.

• Generally, a hat's sweatband is the only area needing regular TLC.
• Use clean sponge moistened with a cleaning solution (cold water and mild detergent or dedicated fabric hat cleaner) and gently rub sweatband.
• "Rinse" with a clean cloth moistened with clean water. Let air dry.

• Stains are best spot-treated.
• Mix cold water with a mild detergent and make sure to spot-check for color-fastness on an inconspicuous area of your hat first.
• Moisten a soft, white cloth (microfiber works best) or hat sponge with the soapy mixture and gently dab the stain.
• To "rinse," moisten a separate cloth or sponge with clean water and and dab over the area.
• Use a separate, dry cloth to pat as much moisture out as possible. Let air dry.
• Set-in stains may require pre-treating with a color-safe, enzyme-powered stain remover.
• Follow manufacturer's instructions and always make sure to spot-check for color-fastness on an inconspicuous area of your hat first.
• Machine-washing hats, even soft fabric hats or caps, is never recommended. No hats are truly machine washable.
• If you choose to go ahead with washing your entire (vs. spot-treating) fabric hat or cap, it is best to do so by hand. 
• Please note that washing your hat or cap may result in loss of shape and/or stiffness and may result in wrinkles, like in any other garment.
• Always check for color-fastness first. 

• Always keep a safe distance from the steam source, at least 6 inches, to prevent burns to your hands and/or hat damage.
• Use a dedicated steamer or steam from a kitchen kettle to produce a steady stream of steam.
• Briefly expose the affected area(s) to steam (3-5 secs) and smooth with clean fingers.
• The video below may also be applied to steaming fabric hats and caps:

It is not recommended to stretch a hat more than 2 hat sizes. That is, from a size 7 (56cm) to a size 7 1/4 (58cm). Attempting to stretch a hat more than this may result in warping of its shape and/or damage to delicate fabrics such as silk. 

• Using a Hat Stretcher
• Steam your hat using a dedicated steamer or kitchen kettle to soften the hat.
• Follow manufacturer instructions.
• We recommend using a hat stretcher for best results.
• Without a Hat Stretcher
• Stretching a hat without a dedicated hat stretcher is possible, but the size increase will be less (no more than 1 hat size, e.g. size 7 to 7 1/8).
• Simply steam to soften the hat, place the hat over your bent knee, and rotate while tugging gently to stretch.
• Repeat as necessary until desired result is achieved. 

By G. Realpe

Copywriter, Village Hat Shop