How to Clean a Felt Hat

Cleaning Your Hat Lightly

Brush it with a hat brush. Use a hat brush to remove dust and dirt from the surface of your hat. Gently brush the hat counterclockwise, starting at the front and working your way all around. Be sure to brush in the same direction consistently. Purchase a hat brush in a hat store, or online.

Remove lint, hair, or dust. Buy a small lint roller or use a piece of tape to remove dust and debris from your hat. Wrap the tape around your hand, sticky side out, and gently sweep and dab across the surface of your hat. Replace the tape frequently to ensure that you remove as much as possible.

Wipe with a cloth. Use a dry, clean cloth to brush dried dirt, dust, or debris off your hat. Dried dirt may flake off easily as you wipe it. For stubborn dust, wet the cloth so that it is moist, but not saturated, and wipe your hat.

Removing Stains

Use an eraser or make up sponge. If you notice a stain on your felt hat, use a gum eraser or clean makeup sponge to remove it. Gently dab the stain (or smudge) to try to remove it. Alternatively, purchase a dry cleaning sponge from a hardware store (designed to absorb dust, dirt, and soot) to remove stains.

Sprinkle corn starch on stains. If you notice a grease stain on your hat, sprinkle some corn starch directly onto it (approximately 0.5 tbsp - 0.25 oz). Rub it into the stain gently. After 5-10 minutes, brush it away to see if it has absorbed the stain.

Brush with fabric stain remover. Use a cloth dampened with fabric stain remover to wipe stains. For a gentle stain remover, purchase Woolite fabric stain remover. After treating stains, rinse the cloth and re-wipe stains to remove stain remover from the hat.

Freshening Your Hat

Sprinkle absorbent powder on your hat. To refresh and deep clean your hat, sprinkle it with an absorbent powder. Choose a powder that is close to the color of your hat to avoid discoloration. For instance, opt for: Wheat germ for darker colored hats Baking soda for a white hat Corn meal for beige or tan hats

Let the hat sit. Leave your hat for several hours to allow the powder to soak up dirt and oils efficiently. Be sure to place the hat upside down on its crown rather than on its brim. The brim can lose its shape if left on a flat surface for a long time.

Remove the powder. Shake off as much of the absorbent powder as possible. Remove the rest of the powder by using a vacuum cleaner with a detachable hose, or a cordless mini vacuum cleaner. Place a breathable cloth (such as cheesecloth) over the hose or mini vacuum to reduce the suction power and avoid damage to the hat.

Dry out the sweatband. Turn the sweatband in your hat down to allow it to dry. This will ensure that the sweat and oils do not soak into the felt. Leave the hat to dry for several hours, or overnight.

Clean the sweatband. If drying out the sweatband does not effectively freshen up your hat, wash it. Avoid getting water anywhere other than the sweatband. Use a toothbrush, water and a mild soap (e.g. shampoo) to gently scrub the sweatband. Carefully rinse the sweat band and blot the hat dry.

Maintaining Your Hat

Store your hat in a cool place. Keep your hat stored in a cool place to keep it in good shape. Heat can cause the sweatband to shrink, rendering the hat unwearable. The foyer, for example, may be an excellent spot if the heating is moderate in that area.

Use a felt hat protection spray. Purchase a water-repellent felt hat protection spray to safeguard your hat. These sprays protect against rain and stains. Using these sprays extends the shelf-life of your hat.

Avoid touching the top of your hat. When putting on and removing your hat, avoid touching the top (the crown). The oils on your fingers or hands could transfer to the felt and leave a stain. Instead, handle your hat gently by the brim.