Baseball caps can be an important part of your wardrobe because they are stylish and functional. They allow you to shield your face from the sun and tame bad hair days, but they’re also perfect for showing off your favorite team or representing your hometown. Additionally, baseball hats are incredibly versatile, so you can wear them during just about any casual occasion.

Because hats are a major staple of many people’s attire, it’s likely that they’re worn pretty often. But, it’s equally as likely that they aren’t washed as regularly as your other items of clothing. Baseball hats need to be cleaned much more often than you’d think. Because they are sitting on your head and you’re liable to be wearing them as you sweat, a lot of that grime will live on the hat. So, to ensure that grime doesn’t transfer back to you, be sure to clean your headgear at least twice a month. 

Cleaning a baseball cap is actually much easier than you’d think. Follow along as we go through our tips and tricks you can use to wash this popular type of hat.

How to Wash a Baseball Cap

Materials You’ll Need:

1. Laundry Detergent
2. Toothbrush
3. Small Bowl
4. Towel

Before you begin washing your hat, consider these tips.

1. Do NOT use a washing machine – Washing machines are notorious for ruining the shape of a hat, even if it’s washed on the gentle cycle.
2. Skip the dishwasher, too – You may have heard of this “hack”, but dishwashers only have one heat setting and it’s too hot for most hats to handle, which can lead to irreversible damage.
3. Before washing, be sure to color test the fabric – Some hat fabrics can be delicate, so test out any soaps or detergents in an inconspicuous place – such as inside the hat or near the bill –  to be sure the material isn’t discolored or damaged.
4. Don’t soak vintage hats – Hats that were made prior to 1983 generally have cardboard bills, so avoid soaking them to maintain the structure of your hat. If you’re not sure if your hat has a cardboard bill, tap on it and listen for a hollow sound. If you hear, your bill is most likely made of cardboard.

How to Hand Wash a Baseball Cap

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Fill your sink with warm water and a few drops of laundry detergent to your sink.
2. Soak the baseball cap (if it doesn’t have a cardboard bill) in the solution for about 15 minutes.

Note: If your bill is cardboard, spot clean the hat instead.

1. Rinse the hat thoroughly with cool water and gently pat dry with a towel.
2. Reshape your hat and set it on an overturned small bowl to drip dry.

How to Deep Clean a Dirty Baseball Cap

For especially dirty hats, follow these instructions:

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Spot clean the tough stain with laundry detergent diluted with water and scrub it with a toothbrush.
2. Soak your hat for a few hours, checking occasionally to see if any of the tough spots need more cleaning.
3. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and gently pat dry with a towel.
4. Reshape your hat and set it on an overturned small bowl to drip dry.

Dry Cleaning and Wash and Fold with Mulberrys Garment Care

Washing baseball caps is pretty easy, but do you know what’s even easier? Having Mulberrys Garment Care take care of your dry cleaning and wash and fold laundry! Our household laundry service is perfect for anything from your bed linens to outdoor furniture cushions. As long as there is a care tag on it and it’s able to be dry cleaned, we’ll be able to take care of it. We can even pick up and drop off your laundry for an added layer of convenience! Get in touch with us today to learn more about our wash and fold services!