Is your hat getting a little sweaty beneath the sizzling summer sun? Find out how to get sweat stains out of hats using one of our environmentally friendly methods.
Hats protect us from the elements and can get a little stained and soiled after a while — especially as we sweat beneath the hot summer sun. Natural oils from heads and hair are also absorbed by hats and washing them can seem a bit tricky sometimes. Don’t worry! We will help you learn how to get sweat stains out of hats of all shapes and sizes.
Whether your baseball cap or straw hat is sporting a few stubborn, yellow sweat stains, we will help you restore it to its former glory in just a few easy steps. If you want to beat the heat and sweat a little less — learn how to cool a room without AC.
Note: Before you start to get sweat stains out of hats, we advise you to check the label on your hat.
How to Get Sweat Stains Out of Hats in Your Washing Machine
Some hats can simply be put in the washing machine. Materials like cotton and synthetics can often be safely added to a delicate cycle. Don’t forget that your baseball cap rim might be made of cardboard — and woolen, straw, vintage and other hats might not be suitable for machine washing either. Washing hats in the washing machine can cause friction, loss of shape, and damage — so only wash suitable hats this way.
Avoid harmful chemicals completely by learning how to make your own laundry detergent for your wash cycle. Alternatively, you could use a natural, gentle, vegan, and eco-friendly alternative – like castile soap. Don’t forget to select a water-saving or eco-cycle.
Help your hat retain its shape by placing it upside-down on top of a bowl, a doll’s head, rolled-up linen, or something that resembles the shape of a head. Do not dry your hats in direct sunlight or in the dryer.
Using a Dishwasher
Did you know you can also wash hats in the dishwasher? That’s right! If you can secure your hat to the top dishwasher racks, use warm water, and turn off the drying cycle — you can use this method for many types of hats. Pretreat stains with our DIY homemade stain remover — or simply dab with vinegar, citric acid or baking soda and water paste. Do not use a bleaching agent that might cause discoloration. All of these household items are gentle on the environment and excellent ways of pretreating stubborn yellow sweat stains.
For a complete sweat-free experience — check out our antiperspirant articles:
- How to Remove Sweat Stains From Shirts Naturally: The Ultimate Guide
- How to Get Sweat Smell Out of Clothes
- How to Remove Deodorant Stains
- How to Stop Sweating Underarms Naturally and Enjoy the Heat
- Homemade Deodorant: An Easy DIY Recipe
How to Get Sweat Stains Out of Hats by Spot Treatment
Certain hats are made of materials that shouldn’t be submerged in water or are too delicate to be machine washed. In order to get sweat stains out of hats like these, you’ll want to try using a spot treatment.
- Make a stain-removing paste: Mix up our sweat-busting solution by mixing 2 tbsp white vinegar with 2 tbsp of baking soda.
- Dab gently: Use a clean towel or cloth to dab the mixture onto the sweat stains. Rub gently in a circular motion until the stains are gone. Use a different corner or part of the cloth for each stain.
- Rinse: Run lukewarm water over the area. If your hat is delicate or vintage, use a moist cloth and dab repeatedly until your mixture and stain are gone.
- Dry: Air dry your hat. Again, use something resembling the shape of a head to maintain your hat’s shape.
Get Sweat Stains Out of Hats by Hand Washing
Step 1: Spot treat stains
If your sweat stains are particularly stubborn, pretreat them with a homemade stain remover or dab them with vinegar, citric acid or baking soda and water paste.
Step 2: Fill the sink or a bucket with warm water
Add 1 tbsp of your own homemade laundry detergent or castile soap to the water.
Step 3: Place the sweat-stained hat in the water
Let the hat soak up the water and detergent. If the stains are difficult to remove, allow the hat to soak for several hours. Swish occasionally. If necessary, dab a little extra detergent on the stains and scrub gently. Use a soft toothbrush for stubborn sweat stains. For all your delicates — check out our Tips & Tricks for Hand Washing Clothes Like A Pro.
Step 4: Rinse
Empty the water and remove your hat. Rinse by running lukewarm water over it, squeezing lightly until all soapy residue is removed. Lightly squeeze again and remove as much water as you can. Be careful and try to maintain the hat’s natural shape throughout. If squeezing is likely to damage the shape — let the hat drip dry.
Step 5: Dry
Follow the instructions above for air drying your hat.
Read more:
- Homemade Dish Soap: DIY Dish Soap and Dishwasher Detergent
- Homemade Oven Cleaner: 3 DIY Methods Better Than Chemical Cleaners
- This Is How You Unclog Your Dishwasher in 5 Easy Steps
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