Bring Your White Hat Back To Life With These Cleaning Methods

Crisp white garments are the epitome of a fresh wardrobe. There's nothing like a bright white hat to add to your collection, but keeping it that way is a challenge. With sweat, hair products, dirt, and other elements plaguing your headwear, a white hat can easily become beige, or worse, brown. Despite being easy and convenient, the best way to wash your baseball cap isn't in the washing machine or dishwasher. To avoid that gross discoloration and return your cap to new, you can spot treat stains or hand wash the accessory with common household products like hydrogen peroxide and vinegar.

This method works for white baseball caps, bucket hats, and other similar headwear made from cotton or synthetic blends. However, before you do any scrubbing, check your hat's care label. If it says dry-clean only, then this job is best left to the professionals. If the tag is long gone, then hand washing is usually a safe-enough option. Test an inconspicuous spot under the rim with your cleaning solution first, to ensure it is compatible with your hat's material. Then, follow the easy process of reviving your headgear to get it shining bright again.

If your hat only has minor stains or is made from delicate materials, spot washing it is the best way to go. Note that this is also the only effective method for baseball caps with a cardboard bill. The paper material and water do not mix well, so they won't be able to withstand hand washing. If you're unsure if the bill is cardboard, try bending the rim. If it reshapes easily, it's probably cardboard and you're better off spot cleaning it.

Hydrogen peroxide is a stellar spot treatment for your accessory. It can help sweat-stained hats look new again because of its natural bleaching and bacteria-killing properties. Distilled vinegar, dish soap, and baking soda are also effective alternatives, but the latter two will need to be mixed with water. To clean your hat, apply the solution to the stains with a cotton ball, paper towel, or white microfiber cloth. Avoid using any materials with dyes as they can transfer to your cap and stain the white headwear. Then, use a clean toothbrush to massage the solution into the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes. After, rinse it with warm water and let the hat air dry. You may need to repeat the process if the stain persists. With white hats that are tainted with more than a few spots, hand washing can take care of it.

To deep clean your white hat, you'll need a scoop of baking soda, a cup of hydrogen peroxide, and a tablespoon of mild detergent or dish soap. Now, mix the cleaning solution in a bucket and add enough warm water to submerge the hat. You can also pretreat any deep stains with the spot wash method before soaking the hat. Let the accessory steep for 30 minutes. After the half hour, use a soft-bristle brush or toothbrush to scrub the hat and any lingering marks. Rinse the cap, use a white towel to squeeze out any excess water, and hang the hat to air dry.

You want to avoid cleaning your hat in the washing machine and dryer, especially if the care label says hand wash or dry clean only. The tumble in the machine can misshapen your headgear. However, if your hat says machinable-washable or you're a risk taker, you can place the cap in a laundry mesh bag or hat cage and wash it on a gentle cycle. The dryer is still a no-no. Hang your hat to air dry. Although, if things go awry you can use this clever hack to fix baseball caps that have lost their shape in the washer.