I want to learn how to wash a baseball cap without ruining it. My son has a few favorites that have gotten all sweat-stained and gross. He won’t toss them out, so the alternative is washing them. But I’m not sure how to do that without warping them or having the colors bleed.
JoAnn Bunn, La Grange
We can give you some good advice on how to wash your baseball cap without ruining it. But much depends on two factors: what fabric makes up the cap, and what is inside the brim. If you want to see the whole rundown at the outset, check out this link: https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-wash-a-baseball-cap-the-ultimate-guide/
To begin, look to see if the cap is made out of cotton or wool. Don’t wash wool caps in water. Instead, you can dampen a washcloth with cool water and wipe down the cap. If you wear the cap while it dries, it will remain in the proper shape.
Usually, you can hand-wash caps made out of cotton. Although some people say you can use a washing machine or a dishwasher, you’ll have to watch out for a couple of things. One is if the color will bleed. And the other is whether the brim is cardboard or plastic.
You may already know that caps with cardboard brims won’t survive soaking in water. It’s best if you spot-clean them with a damp cloth. Afterward, if there are sweat stains, rub a little shampoo around the inner band.
If a cap has a plastic brim, you can soak it in sudsy warm water with a little laundry detergent. For the first wash, give it up to three hours for the soap to work. Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub out stains. Rinse it well and let it air dry. You can plump it up into shape by stuffing it with towels.
To avoid having to clean caps as often, spray them with stain repellent. If you want to keep them smelling fresh, sprinkle baking soda inside them. Then let that sit overnight. In the morning, simply shake it out.
Joan