How Do I Clean a Hat? Part II
The temperature is climbing. The sun is out later. This can only mean one thing: That straw hat you stored away nearly 7 months ago is yearning to come out and play.
Resident hat whisperer Edwin Urrita demonstrates how to dust a straw hat.
Depending on where and how you stored it, that trusty panama, milan or shantung might need a little dusting.
Dusting a straw hat is a simple task, but it must be done carefully. Straw blocking is easily damaged.
All you will need to dust your straw hat is a soft, damp (barely moist) cloth.
Do you remember the #1 enemies of fur felt hats? Water and heat. Those are the same enemies of straw hats. Make absolutely certain that your cloth is not wet, dripping, sopping or soaking.
Just damp.
Regardless of whether you have a straw fedora, pork pie, Homburg or boater, be mindful of the weave of the straw. In most cases you will start gently wiping the hat with the damp cloth from the center of the crown and dust counterclockwise. Work your way down to the brim, and be sure to get both the top and bottom.
Be careful not to rest the damp cloth for too long in one spot, as you don’t want to moisten, warp or otherwise damage the straw. Also remember not to grasp the straw too tightly, especially by the pinch, as the straw is liable to crack or become misshapen. (And, sadly, there isn’t much to be done about restoring or reblocking straw.)
Don’t be daunted. Once you get the hang of it, you will be able to dust a straw hat lickety split.
Is straw easier or worse to take care of than felt?
Straw is probably a little easier to dust, but it is also much less forgiving than felt. If you get straw really dirty or wet, you’re hat will be in trouble. Sometimes there are more options for fixing the felt.
I have a suede cowboy hat. How can I get it cleaned and Blocked?
Howdy Ned,
Although we can’t block a hat, Edwin our resident hat whisperer is pretty good about being able to work some wonders on cleaning and reshaping a hat. Your best bet is to bring in your hat for him to take a look. Call ahead to make certain Edwin is in before stopping by.
I just purchased several Kangol summer hats and want to know how to clean them. Are they machine washable.
Thank you.
Hi Fred,
Every Kangol is a little different. Check inside your hats; you should see a little tag with washing instructions or recommendations. Most Kangols aren’t machine washable, but there might be some instructions to clean them by hand a little. Good luck, and thanks for writing in!
My straw hat wilted in the rain – how can I freshen it up so it will hold it’s shape again?
Hi Vera, Straw is notoriously difficult to restore. Without seeing your hat, it is difficult to say what can be done. Maybe with a little steam from a tea kettle you can reshape part of the hat, but odds are that you’ll just need to get a new hat.
What is the best way to waterproof a felt hat? Would a leather and suede protector work or is Scotchgard the better option?
Hi Don,
You want to be very careful when treating a fur felt hat. Don’t use a silicon-based product, as a general rule. Scotchgard, suede and leather protectors might be okay. But test it on the bottom of your brim in a discrete location to make sure you don’t damage or discolor your hat.
Thanks.
Nathaniel