Wash a Hat - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

obelix · 06-14-2003, 03:50 PM

Ok, so I have a couple of nice flex-fit nba team hats that are about due for a washing, and if possible, I would like to avoid taking them to a dry cleaner who will charge far more than their effort is worth. I was wondering if any of you have any tips as to how to do it at home without doing any damage to it. Thoughts?

steelerz · 06-14-2003, 05:04 PM

You can buy a "cage" (cap buddy I think its called) that is made for washing your hats in at most sporting good stores. It snaps down over the hat and helps it keep its shape. I use one and just put it in the dishwasher.

Mael · 06-14-2003, 06:06 PM

do not ever dry your hat in a dryer. let it air dry. i made that mistake once and it came out shrunken and funny looking, ruined a favorite hat. damn.

apetaster · 06-14-2003, 06:43 PM

Wear it in the shower and give it a good champu while it is on your head. Wear it out of the shower, and then put it out to dry - occasionally while it is drying putting it on your head (it does feel sketchy when still wet, but it really helps retain the shape of the thing, minimize shrinkage, and you don't have to reshape the bill.

obelix · 06-14-2003, 06:47 PM

apetaster's idea sounds a bit unorthodox, but also sounds like it will work. im gonna give it a shot during my next shower

thanks

rideough · 06-15-2003, 02:11 AM

I just wash mine in the washing machine in cold water and after the spin cycle i put it on until its dry. When you're done your hair will hurt tho!!!

Daval · 06-18-2003, 07:05 AM

The absolute best way to wash your hats is in the Dish Washer. There is no agitation or spinning so no deformation of the peak. Yet there is still a good detergent cleaning to remove any and all dirt, sweat etc.

When done in the dishwasher - air-dry.

Guaranteed process.

wfg · 06-20-2003, 04:24 AM

I've used the dishwasher for years. Just put it on the top rack. I also let them air dry and sometimes wrap the bill around a can (just pick out something in the cupboard).

piglet · 06-29-2003, 10:10 AM

Dishwasher, thats all there is to it. If you dont have one you can start the thread "Need to install a dishwasher"

eaglek96 · 06-29-2003, 07:24 PM

Definitely the dishwasher. Make sure you are using a soap that doesn't have any harmful agents like a bleach. I ruined a nice black hat because the detergent had a bleach in it. Other than that, I do it all the time and it always comes out perfect.

One other important note like others have said: Dont use heat to dry it. For some reason, the hats dont like it.

BoyLazer · 07-07-2003, 02:56 PM

I wash and dry my fitted hats all the time. In the washing machine and the regular dryer with all the rest of my clothes. A little shrinkage, but I feel they fit better when a little shrinkage happens. The dryer will eventually start tearing the front of the bill, so, I'd say a max of 3 trips to the dryer b4 they start to get ratty.

zero2 · 07-08-2003, 06:24 PM

cold water, a cage, and in the dishwasher sounds like the best idea to me.

merkdr · 07-11-2003, 05:32 AM

i agree with apetaster , i wash mine with shampoo and even wear it wet after if i`m outside, but a dry towel wadded up and shaped to fit works well

sportsrule101 · 07-15-2003, 12:32 PM

spit and rub

or dishwasher

MacGnG · 07-21-2003, 12:01 AM

we got a hat cage here, but i'm usually neverthinging about it so i just plug the drain turn the sink faucet on and use shampoo

ergdork · 08-12-2003, 05:36 PM

I use apetaster's method too. Doesn't get quite as clean, but it does help shape hats to fit nicely. I do feel a bit goofy wearing a hat in the shower. :-)

Adog · 08-13-2003, 01:49 PM

Hahaha I have never heard of the shower method, Ill have to give it a try. I have ruined plenty of hats in the washing machine and have had very good luck with the dishwasher. What does the "Hat buddy cage" do? That just help keep the form??

Grouper · 08-20-2003, 01:44 PM

Why would you ever wash a hat? The sweat and dirt collected there, give a hat its character!

general abuse · 08-20-2003, 03:45 PM

It is a well known fact that any article of clothing, if left alone for two weeks, will automatically be clean!

06-14-2003, 03:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
obelix Insane Location: Calgary, AB	Wash a Hat Ok, so I have a couple of nice flex-fit nba team hats that are about due for a washing, and if possible, I would like to avoid taking them to a dry cleaner who will charge far more than their effort is worth. I was wondering if any of you have any tips as to how to do it at home without doing any damage to it. Thoughts? __________________ no substance

06-14-2003, 06:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
obelix Insane Location: Calgary, AB	apetaster's idea sounds a bit unorthodox, but also sounds like it will work. im gonna give it a shot during my next shower thanks __________________ no substance

06-15-2003, 02:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
rideough Insane Location: Ottawa...the greatest city in Canada...down the road from silentjay!	I just wash mine in the washing machine in cold water and after the spin cycle i put it on until its dry. When you're done your hair will hurt tho!!! __________________ i may or may not be on acid right now....

06-18-2003, 07:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
Daval Junkie Location: The True North Strong and Free!	The absolute best way to wash your hats is in the Dish Washer. There is no agitation or spinning so no deformation of the peak. Yet there is still a good detergent cleaning to remove any and all dirt, sweat etc. When done in the dishwasher - air-dry. Guaranteed process. __________________ "It is impossible to obtain a conviction for sodomy from an English jury. Half of them don't believe that it can physically be done, and the other half are doing it." Winston Churchill

07-15-2003, 12:32 PM	#14 (permalink)
sportsrule101 Insane	spit and rub or dishwasher __________________ winning isn't everything but losing isn't anything

06-14-2003, 05:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
steelerz Insane	You can buy a "cage" (cap buddy I think its called) that is made for washing your hats in at most sporting good stores. It snaps down over the hat and helps it keep its shape. I use one and just put it in the dishwasher.

06-14-2003, 06:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mael Banned Location: The Hell I Created.	do not ever dry your hat in a dryer. let it air dry. i made that mistake once and it came out shrunken and funny looking, ruined a favorite hat. damn.

06-14-2003, 06:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
apetaster Insane Location: P.R. Mass.	Wear it in the shower and give it a good champu while it is on your head. Wear it out of the shower, and then put it out to dry - occasionally while it is drying putting it on your head (it does feel sketchy when still wet, but it really helps retain the shape of the thing, minimize shrinkage, and you don't have to reshape the bill.

06-20-2003, 04:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
wfg Tilted	I've used the dishwasher for years. Just put it on the top rack. I also let them air dry and sometimes wrap the bill around a can (just pick out something in the cupboard).

06-29-2003, 10:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
piglet Insane Location: right over here	Dishwasher, thats all there is to it. If you dont have one you can start the thread "Need to install a dishwasher"

06-29-2003, 07:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
eaglek96 Upright Location: North Shore, Massachusetts	Definitely the dishwasher. Make sure you are using a soap that doesn't have any harmful agents like a bleach. I ruined a nice black hat because the detergent had a bleach in it. Other than that, I do it all the time and it always comes out perfect. One other important note like others have said: Dont use heat to dry it. For some reason, the hats dont like it.

07-07-2003, 02:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
BoyLazer Upright	I wash and dry my fitted hats all the time. In the washing machine and the regular dryer with all the rest of my clothes. A little shrinkage, but I feel they fit better when a little shrinkage happens. The dryer will eventually start tearing the front of the bill, so, I'd say a max of 3 trips to the dryer b4 they start to get ratty.

07-08-2003, 06:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
zero2 Junkie	cold water, a cage, and in the dishwasher sounds like the best idea to me.

07-11-2003, 05:32 AM	#13 (permalink)
merkdr Tilted Location: ottawa, canada	i agree with apetaster , i wash mine with shampoo and even wear it wet after if i`m outside, but a dry towel wadded up and shaped to fit works well

07-21-2003, 12:01 AM	#15 (permalink)
MacGnG Know Where!	we got a hat cage here, but i'm usually neverthinging about it so i just plug the drain turn the sink faucet on and use shampoo

08-12-2003, 05:36 PM	#16 (permalink)
ergdork Tilted	I use apetaster's method too. Doesn't get quite as clean, but it does help shape hats to fit nicely. I do feel a bit goofy wearing a hat in the shower. :-) __________________ "You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it." - Robin Williams

08-13-2003, 01:49 PM	#17 (permalink)
Adog Tilted	Hahaha I have never heard of the shower method, Ill have to give it a try. I have ruined plenty of hats in the washing machine and have had very good luck with the dishwasher. What does the "Hat buddy cage" do? That just help keep the form??

08-20-2003, 01:44 PM	#18 (permalink)
Grouper Crazy	Why would you ever wash a hat? The sweat and dirt collected there, give a hat its character!

08-20-2003, 03:45 PM	#19 (permalink)
general abuse Upright	It is a well known fact that any article of clothing, if left alone for two weeks, will automatically be clean!