Whether we like to admit it or not we all know that we have a hat, cap or fedora with a dreaded sweat stain around the hairline. For some this shows that a hat has been loved and lived in, for others it shows that its time to get a new hat. Before throwing out your old hat see if you can salvage it using these tips:
- Start gentle with a handwash. A washing machine (or dryer for the matter) are too turbulent and rough on hats so a nice hand wash is a good first point of call.
Fill a bowl/sink/container with warm water and a tablespoon of laundry detergent, let the hat sit for a couple of hours. When done, rinse the hat and let it sit in a well-ventilated room away from direct sunlight. - Baking Soda and Vinegar- the kitchen staple hack
Something that you might have used for other stains, this simple recipe helps break down and eat away at sweat stains too! First you need to mix 4 tablespoons of Baking Soda with ¼ water to make a paste. Apply it to the stain and use a brush or a spoon to rub it in. Let it sit for an hour and then spray it with white vinegar before giving it another scrub. Finish this hack up by rinsing it in cold water and letting it dry.
Note: Before doing any of the above methods you should always conduct a spot-test on an area of the hat that’s out of sight. This can be done by grabbing a rag offcut or tissue, dampen the material and rub the hat. This will highlight whether any dye will leak out of the hat when washed and whether you will be able to salvage the hat.
