Are you the proud owner of a baseball hat, or perhaps you’re the parent of a kid who’s got one? If so, you’ve probably wondered at some point whether you can put it in the washing machine.
The answer is yes, but there’s a few things you need to know about the process first.
Check the Bill (I Call it the Brim)
If your hat is vintage, it may have cardboard in the bill instead of plastic. This complicates the washing process since cardboard doesn’t react well in the washing machine. If this is the case, you’ll need to stick to handwashing and air drying.
With a cardboard bill, I would only dab or spot clean the hat.
Wash on Gentle
If your hat is more modern and doesn’t have cardboard, then you can use the washing machine. Stick to the gentle cycle with the coldest water you can and use a gentle detergent such as Tide Free. You can either wash your hat with other clothing, keeping it to a minimum number of items, or wash it in a pillowcase or delicates bag.
Most people recommend air drying your hat, but if you’re in a rush you can use the dryer on a low cycle. Just be sure to keep the heat low, or else you risk damaging the materials in the hat. You’ll also need to re-form the brim of your hat after washing and drying.
What About the Dishwasher?
You may have heard that you can put a baseball hat in the dishwasher, but I don’t recommend this. Dishwashers get extremely hot, and that can ruin your hat’s internal materials.
It’s worth noting that, if your hat is very valuable or sentimental, you’ll want to stick to handwashing. There’s always more risk when you use a washing machine. But if it’s a run-of-the-mill baseball hat, then you should be fine washing it in the washing machine.
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