While people often wear accessories and then put them back without cleaning them, it’s important to wash your baseball cap regularly. This keeps it clean and helps it last longer. Caps can gather dirt, oil, sweat, and bacteria from your hair, which might irritate your skin or smell bad if not cleaned. But if you wash them the wrong way, they can lose their shape. We’ll show you the right way to clean a baseball cap by hand and in the washing machine.
How Often to Wash a Baseball Cap
How often you wash your baseball cap depends on how much you use it. If you wear it occasionally, you can wash it when it seems dirty. If you wear it every day, especially in hot weather, you might need to wash it weekly. If you sweat a lot in the cap or if it gets stained, it’s best to wash it right away to stop bad smells and keep it looking good.
Materials Needed
Make sure you have these items ready when you’re going to wash a baseball cap:
- Natural laundry detergent
- A soft-bristle brush or a microfiber cloth
- A mesh laundry bag
- Distilled white vinegar
How to Wash a Baseball Cap in the Washing Machine
Many baseball caps can be washed in the washing machine, but make sure to check the care tag for specific instructions or warnings before you do.
- Put the baseball cap in a mesh laundry bag and place it in the washing machine. This helps stop the cap from getting snagged or losing its shape.
- Add laundry detergent and set the machine to the delicate cycle using cold water.
- After the cycle finishes, reshape the cap and let it air dry naturally.
How to Wash a Baseball Cap By Hand
If your baseball cap isn’t suitable for machine washing, you can clean it by hand. Remember to check the care tag for instructions before you start cleaning.
- Fill a basin or sink with water. Make sure to use cold water, as hot water can make the colors run or cause the cap to lose its shape.
- Mix in a small amount of natural detergent.
- Dip the cap into the soapy water and gently stir.
- Use a soft-bristle brush to scrub the cap, focusing on dirty spots.
- Rinse the cap well with clean water.
- Gently press out extra water from the cap. Avoid wringing or twisting to keep its shape.
- Place the cap on a clean, dry towel and let it air dry. Reshape it as needed.
How to Remove Stains From a Baseball Cap
If your baseball cap has any stains, treat them with a mixture of white vinegar and water. Be careful with caps that have cardboard brims, as they should only be spot-treated. A hat with a cardboard brim can’t be submerged or soaked because it will damage the structure and destroy the brim.
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Spray the solution onto the stained area and gently rub it in using a soft brush or microfiber cloth.
- Let the solution sit for a few minutes.
- Rinse the area with water.
- Reshape the cap and allow it to air-dry naturally.