Sweat-Stained Hats Will Look New Again With The Help Of A Common Household Item

If you wear hats often, it's common for them to accumulate yellowish marks from sweat. However, when these marks start building up and become obvious, you may feel self-conscious about wearing your favorite cap out in public. You don't need to buy a new hat or throw your current one in the wash, potentially misshaping it. Instead, reach for hydrogen peroxide, which will banish sweat stains in just a few hours.

Sweat stains show up on hats and other accessories, and sometimes, they are so faint you barely even notice them. Others take on an unsightly yellow tinge that slowly becomes more noticeable. The reason sweat marks come up yellow is not due to the fact your sweat is this color, but because, when you sweat, the minerals released react with the antiperspirant or other products you're wearing. This then makes the sweat turn yellow over time. It happens to almost everybody, but if you try the below method, you should be rid of the marks in no time.

All you need to do is put a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide on your cap and wait for it to work its magic. It's better to dispense the peroxide into a spray bottle for easier spritzing, but you could also use a dropper to dispense one or two drops onto your hat. How long you leave the peroxide on the hat is up to you, but we recommend leaving it for at least a few hours to achieve the best results. If you're in a rush, there is evidence to suggest half an hour is enough time for the stain to be removed.

Worried about using undiluted hydrogen peroxide? Make a mixture of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water and gently dab onto the stained area of the hat. It may take a little longer to work due to being diluted but it is a less harsh alternative for hats that are old or made from less rigid fabric. You may need to repeat this method depending on the severity of the stain.

Hydrogen peroxide is a great addition to your laundry room, but there are some things you should know before using it. Firstly, it acts as a bleaching agent, meaning it could discolor your cap if it's a bright or dark color. Because of this, we recommend carrying out a small spot test on your cap. It's best to do this on the inside of the cap so any damage won't be as visible if it does occur. Pour a drop or two of hydrogen peroxide onto the fabric and leave for a few minutes. This will let you know whether it's okay to continue with the hack. 

Additionally, though it's fine to use on all washable items, hydrogen peroxide is still a toxic substance. If inhaled or ingested, it can irritate your eyes and throat amongst other issues (though some of these effects only occur from higher-grade peroxide). Prevent this from happening by storing it out of reach and wearing gloves when using it to remove stains. Other than these issues, hydrogen peroxide is a great tool to get rid of stubborn marks and is well worth a try.