Hat Care & Storage Instructions

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 packable/foldable, it is recommended that it not be stored whilst folded or packed.

Handling your hat

  • For preservation of shape, pick up your hat by the brim with clean hands rather than by the crown where possible.
  • Excessive contact with the crown over time can cause it to stress and weaken. This can sometimes lead to both irreparable damage and/or distorted crown.

 

Cleaning and drying your hat

Felt Hats

  • For regular staining, i.e. dust, grime, normal soiling, the hat can be treated at home. Brush the hat carefully in anti-clockwise circles and lightly rub the affected area with a recommended dry-cleaning fluid
  • For more serious stains such as oil or grease, it is sometimes recommended that felt hats be taken to a specialist cleaning outlet
  • If your hat becomes excessively wet, do not attempt to force-dry it by applying undue heat. If you have one, place a Hat Form (or some similar packing material) on the inside of the hat to help prevent any occurrences of shrinkage. The hat can then be allowed to dry naturally indoors
  • If travelling regularly to wetter regions, or if the hat is expected to be worn during periods of prolonged rain, it is sometimes recommended to apply a protective agent (i.e. Scotch Guard or similar) to help protect the hat against excessive moisture ingress
  • Should your felt hat become misshapen through accidental damage or misuse, the use of steam can help return the hat to its original shape. Taking all necessary safety precautions, the brim or crown of the hat can be carefully positioned directly above the source of steam, i.e. kettle or gently simmering hot water. When positioning the hat over steam, only a few seconds at a time is necessary for it to become receptive to being re-shaped. Reshaping can be achieved by first retreating from the heat source, then using your thumb and fingertips to pinch, re-position, and sculpt back into original its 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. This can be safely achieved by holding the hat from such a position/distance where the steam does not come into contact with your hands. Protective hand-wear should be worn where necessary. Note: there are many online resources demonstrating the use of steam to reshape your felt hat if further information is required
    Straw Hats
    • Dirt can be removed by using a small brush.
    • To remove a stain, lightly wipe the affected area with a damp warm cloth. Do not saturate the hat with water, because straw loses its shape when wet and the shape of the hat may be altered. Dry out of the sun.
    Panama Hats
    • If stained, your Panama hat should be spot cleaned. Use a damp cloth dipped in soapy water and pat dry with a separate dry cloth. Strong chemical cleaners should not be used as they can cause colour discolouration.
    • If your hat gets wet, it should be dried as soon as possible to avoid shrinkage. After using a dry cloth to gently wipe off excess water, let the rest of the hat dry naturally indoors in a cool, dry place. Artificial heat should not be applied, as that will also cause shrinkage.

    Canvas Hats

    • These hats can be gently hand-washed using a mild detergent. Afterwards, rinse thoroughly in clean water to completely remove the detergent.
    • Hats should be dried indoors, away from high levels of heat and humidity. No artificial heat should be applied.
    • Machine wash is not recommended.

    Natural fabrics (Linen, Cotton, Wool)

    • Fabric hats are easy maintenance compared to hats of other materials.
    • These natural materials may shrink when wet, so for stains they should simply be spot cleaned with a stiff bristle brush and some mild water. Drying should occur indoors in a cool and dry place. No artificial heat should be applied.