When it’s time to give a baseball cap a bath, there are three methods to choose from: In the machine, by hand, or by spot-treating only the stained areas that have gotten soiled. (Skip so-called hacks that suggest washing a baseball cap in the dishwasher, because steam can cause the fabric to pucker.) Whichever option you choose, the method for drying a baseball cap is the same, and that drying step is the key to making sure it doesn’t lose its shape when it’s washed.
How to Hand-Wash a Baseball Cap
Hand-washing is easier and more straightforward than you might think, and it’s a great option for cleaning items you don’t want to entrust to the washing machine. It’s the best choice for cleaning more structured hats, embellished hats, and for deep-cleaning badly stained caps. Hats that are stained with dirt, mud, grass, or sweat, all of which are protein stains, should be pretreated with an enzymatic formula like Krud Kutter Sports Stain Remover or Zout. OxiClean MaxForce Laundry Stain Remover is excellent at eliminating makeup stains, as is rubbing alcohol. To address food stains on hats (they happen!), Shout Laundry Stain Remover is a good choice. Oil and grease stains can be treated with Pine Sol or Lestoil.
How to Spot Clean a Baseball Cap
Spot treating refers to the use of detergent or a stain treatment product to clean a small area of an accessory or garment. This is the best choice for cleaning heavily embellished hats, hats with metal detailing that should not be overly exposed to water, and for treating stains between washings. Fill the basin about halfway up—no more than ⅔ full—with water, leaving enough room for the hat as well as for your hands to move without sloshing sudsy water everywhere. Avoid the temptation to pour an entire capful of detergent into the wash water; using too much detergent will require excessive rinsing to remove the suds, and residue from the soap can cause skin irritation like rashes or breakouts, as well as lend a dingy appearance to the cap.
