How to Clean a Felt Hat Without Ruining It? Everyone has that favorite felt hat they love to wear.
Felt hats come with a few challenges, though.
They can get dirty easily, so you’ll need to know how to clean felt hats without ruining them.
Felt hats are delicate and require special care. Here are some superb tips on how to clean a felt hat without damaging it.
Table of Contents
- How to Wash a Felt Hat Without Water?
- How To Spot Clean Felt Hats?
- Can You Put a Felt Hat in The Washing Machine?
- Store Your Felt Hat Safely
- Here’s How to Clean Wool Felt Hat in Nutshell
How to Wash a Felt Hat Without Water?
Washing your felt hat can prove a challenging process. Felt hats tend to lose their shape and structure if washed with water.
They can also bleed dye and damage easily. Let’s look at how to clean a felt hat at home without water.
Fabric Brush
A fabric brush gently sweeps the dirt and dust from your felt hat. Rub the fabric brush in a circular motion to remove debris. After you’ve removed the debris, wipe down the hat with a clean cloth to remove any remaining dirt or dust.
Use a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush if you don’t have a fabric brush.
Dry Cleaning Sponge
Dry cleaning sponges can also effectively clean your felt hat without water. Rub the sponge over the surface of your hat. It will gently remove dirt and grime without damaging the hat.
To keep your felt hats in excellent condition, use two sponges – one for dark-colored hats and one for light-colored. It prevents you from transferring fibers and debris between dark and light-colored hats.
Baking Soda or Baby Powder
Baking soda and baby powder are great at removing dirt from felt hats. They work effortlessly, especially for oil-based stains. Sprinkle some of the powder onto the hat.
Let it sit for 30 minutes. Then brush off the dirt. The powder will absorb any moisture or oil on the surface of your hat, so it’ll come off easily.
How To Spot Clean Felt Hats?
Sponge and spray bottle
If you need to spot-clean a felt hat, do so gently. It helps to use a damp cloth or sponge and mild detergent.
Gently wipe the spot and avoid scrubbing or rubbing the felt fabric too hard. Scrubbing too hard will cause it to fray or pill.
For incredibly dark and ingrained spots, a little cornstarch, baby powder, and baking soda. They can help to break down the grime and make it easier to remove.
Remember, when using any of these substances, let it sit before wiping off or brushing it away.
If this process doesn’t lift the stain, repeat the same process until it does. However, remember to let the hat dry for a few hours before repeating the process.
Once you have spot cleaned your felt hat, let it sit and air-dry in a cool area. Avoid using direct heat or sunlight, as this can cause the felt to shrink and become brittle.
Can You Put a Felt Hat in The Washing Machine?
Felt the hat losing shape
No, putting a felt hat in the washing machine is not advisable. Washing machines can harm delicate fabric like felt and cause it to shrink, fray, and pill.
The water and spin cycle temperatures will also render your hat useless, as most felt hats are not colorfast.
If you feel uncomfortable or unable to clean your felt hat by hand, take it to a professional dry cleaner. They can clean it properly and safely without damaging the material.
Store Your Felt Hat Safely
poorly maintenance felt hat
After cleaning your felt hat, preserve its shape and structure by storing it in a cool, dry place. Avoid damp areas like bathrooms or basements, and put them away in a box or felt bag.
It will help to protect the hat from dust and dirt and will also protect it from any physical damage.
It is also important to avoid handling your felt hat too much. The oils from your hands can cause them to age prematurely. To keep the felt in good condition, only handle it when necessary. Try not to leave it in the sun or near other heat sources.
Some felt hats are rollable. Avoid storing your clothes with wrinkles for extended periods to make removing the creases easier.
If you’re not using a hatbox with support, ensure the crown is supported by stuffing it with acid-free tissue paper.
Note: Avoid printed or colored paper as it may transfer onto your hat over time.
Here’s How to Clean Wool Felt Hat in Nutshell
Learning how to clean a wool-felt hat can take some trial and error. A damp cloth or dry cleaning sponge with a mild detergent works best for cleaning a felt hat.
Use baking soda, baby powder, or cornstarch for dark and ingrained spots.
Avoid using a washing machine, as this will cause the felt to shrink and fray. After cleaning, let your hat air-dry in a cool area, then store it in a hat box or felt bag.
With these tips, you’ll be able to keep your felt hat clean and looking great for years to come.