Don’t soak new hats you want to keep looking fresh for as long as possible. Wait until it gets really soiled and already starts looking old. If you’re not trying to keep your hat looking brand new, just toss it in the water to soak. Better yet, just toss it in the washing machine. Easy and done.
If you can’t dust your hat every single time, try to do it at least once or twice a week. Dust can work its way into the fibers of the cap, staining it over time, which will result in the need for deeper cleaning methods.
Some lint rollers have sticky sheets on the outside, which you can peel off after they get too nasty and hairy. Others will have thick bristles that go one way, but not the other. These are the best lint rollers, because they’ll last a longer time and won’t leave sticky residue on your hat. Some hat places will even furnish hat brushes, specifically for this purpose. If they’re really expensive, opt for the lint roller, which is basically the same thing. DIY lint roller: Use the sticky side of tape, then toss it.
Focus especially on the end of the brim on the side of your hand that you use most often, and the inside where you sweat. Fingerprint stains will tend to form on the brim where you grip the hat to take it off, and sweat stains can penetrate the fabric and be really difficult to get out.
Cut a piece of plastic wrap big enough to cover the sticker by a few centimeters on each side, then tape it in place. Make sure the tape seals the plastic thoroughly.
If you want to find out if your cap will bleed if you toss it into the washing machine or the dishwasher, do a little spot treatment with a white cloth. Wet the cloth with hot water and blot at the colored area of the cap. Does any color come off? Keep washing it in cold. If not, you’re safe.
Consider getting a cap mold to help hold the shape of the hat. These are commonly available at hat stores and other clothing retailers, only cost a couple of bucks, and help you hold the shape of your hat long term, especially while drying. If you’ve got an adjustable cap, keep it adjusted to the size you wear. While it might seem quicker, putting the hat into a clothes dryer will ruin the shape and crispness of the hat faster than anything else. The heat will soften the structure of the hat, making it much more pliable. Let hats air dry.
Make sure your dishwasher is extremely clean if you try to do this, and only do this for older hats that won’t bleed.
The value of these kits is pretty debatable. If you have a big collection of hats you want to keep looking new, it might be worth it, but if you’ve just got a few, it’s probably fine to just use the basic cleaning methods described above.
The cap freshener spray is available for much less money, if you want to opt for the most important part of the package. You can usually get it for abut ten bucks, or try an off-brand cap-cleaning spray for regular up-keep of your caps.
