Hat Care

Storing your hat

  • Avoid storing your hat in direct sunlight or excessive heat for any undue length of time.
  • It is recommended that hats with wider brims be placed crown down on a flat, clean surface when not being worn.
  • Even if your hat is labelled as packable or foldable, it is always recommended that it not be stored whilst folded/packed. 

Handling your hat

  • For preservation of shape, it is recommended to pick up your hat by the brim rather than by the crown where possible.
  • Depending on what material/fabric the hat is made from, excessive contact with the crown can cause it to stress and/or weaken over time.

Cleaning your hat

Felt Hats

  • For regular staining, i.e. dust, grime, normal soiling, the hat can be treated at home using a medium-soft bristled brush.
  • Only fit-for-purpose cleaning fluids/detergents should be used on felt hats when spot-cleaning.
  • For more serious stains such as oil or grease, it might be necessary to take the hat to a more specialized cleaning outlet.
  • If your hat becomes excessively wet, it is advisable to absorb as much moisure as possible using a dry sponge or cloth as soon as possible. If you have one, place a Hat Form (or some similar packing material) on the inside of the hat to help prevent the onset of shrinkage. The hat can then be allowed to dry naturally indoors.
  • Attempting to speed-dry your hat by leaving it out in the sun or by applying artificial heat is not recommended. 
  • If travelling to wetter regions, or if the hat is expected to be worn during periods of expected rain, a protective agent (such Scotchgard™ or similar) can be applied to help further protect the hat against excessive moisture ingress. NOTE: Whilst some hats are naturally more water-repellent than others, please note that no hat is completely water resistant. Wearing hats in heavy or extended periods of rain will likely incur damage. 
  • Should your felt hat become misshapen, the use of steam can help return the hat to its original shape. Taking all necessary safety precautions, the hat can be brought into contact with the source of steam, i.e. handheld garment steamer. Only a few seconds at a time is usually necessary for it to become receptive to being re-shaped using the fingertips to sculpt the hat back into shape. Repeat as necessary. WARNING: Never allow your bare hands to come into direct contact with hot steam. Skin burns caused by water vapour can result in serious scalding and damage to the skin. Only the part of the hat you are treating should come into direct contact with the heat source. Note: there are many online resources demonstrating the use of steam to reshape hats if further information is required

    Straw Hats

    • Dirt can be removed by using a suitable bristled brush.
    • To remove marks and stains, lightly dab the affected area with a warm, damp cloth. Do not over-saturate as straw can loses its shape if it becomes too wet. Allow to dry naturally indoors away from direct sunlight.

    Panama Hats

    • If it becomes stained, your Panama hat should be spot cleaned. Use a lightly dampened cloth dipped in soapy water (or suitable mild detergent) and pat dry with a separate dry cloth. Strong chemical cleaners should not be used as they may cause colour discolouration.
    • If your hat gets wet, it should be dried as soon as possible to avoid shrinkage. After using a dry cloth or sponge to gently absorb any excess water, allow the hat dry naturally indoors. Artificial heat should not be used to help speed up the drying process. This can also cause shrinkage.

    Canvas Hats

    • Canvas hats can be gently hand-washed (using a mild detergent if necessary). Afterwards, rinse thoroughly using clean water to completely remove all traces of detergent. Do not over-saturate.
    • Hats should generally be dried indoors away from direct sunlight, artificial heat sources, and humid envoronments.
    • Machine washing canvas hats is not recommended.

    Natural fabrics (Linen, Cotton, Wool)

    • Fabric hats are usually easier to mainten compared to hats of other materials.
    • Natural materials can shrink when wet so stains should simply be spot cleaned. Drying should be performed indoors away from direct sunlight and/or artificial heat sources.

    Leather

    • If the hat becomes wet, it can be dried naturally - preferably using a Hat Form to help prevent shrinkage. Avoid exposure to artificial or extreme heat as this can cause leather to naturally dry out, become stiff, or lose its suppleness.
    • Leather conditioners should also be applied periodically to help the hat maintain its appearance, flexibility, and natural leather qualities.