dear obby: washing a hat

[kimchicowboy]

hi obby. i have a fitted wool hat that i'd like to wash. can i just pop it into the washing machine? thanks!

[ray]

hi obby. i have a fitted wool hat that i'd like to wash. can i just pop it into the washing machine? thanks!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. It will shrink the hat!!!

I've actually taken a hat to a dry cleaners before, but that screwed up the durability of the hat. I would suggest handwashing it with mild soap and luke warm water.

I'm guessing OBBY has the best answer though.

[oblongmelon]

washing machine? OMG NO...now you CAN put it in the dishwasher secured in a cap washing rack(they sell them at places like kmart and look like those plastic mesh containers that strawberries come in at the grocery store) it's a two piece thing that one part fits inside the hat-the other part fits over the outside to help it keep its shape..or give it a quick wash in woolite and warm water-with a cold rinse (use the sink)...then place it over an overturned bowl to dry.

[ialsohaveadream]

Since we're on the subject, what's the best way to wash shoes? Washing machine and sun dried?

[oblongmelon]

Since we're on the subject, what's the best way to wash shoes? Washing machine and sun dried?
sneakers? yes. other than sneakers what kind of shoes would you be washing?

[ialsohaveadream]

Yeah, they're sneakers. Formerly white sneakers...now kinda grey. :)

[kimchicowboy]

would mild soap work? i don't know if they sell woolite in korea. i'll go check. plus, what's "mild" soap anyhow?

[oblongmelon]

would mild soap work? i don't know if they sell woolite in korea. i'll go check. plus, what's "mild" soap anyhow?
well I don't know what kind of soap you have in korea so it may be a problem..dishwashing soap is pretty mild..or Ivory Snow baby detergent..something like that..

[DaFunkyUnit]

http://www.neweracap.com/capcare/

How to Care For Your New Era Cap

Key things to remember...
If you make the cap wet, it will take on shape as it dries!
If you don't provide the shape, it will shrink to its own smaller shape
If you want it to fit your head, dry it on your head
If you want it to be shaped like a coffee mug, dry it in a mug
If you use rubber bands and you make the rubber bands too 2 tight, you will see rubber band marks
Cleaning a 59Fifty...never wash the cap!
Cleaning a 59Fifty...never wash the cap!
The cap is made of wool and you will ruin its shape. To clean the headband,
take a wet washcloth and put a little detergent and a little Spray and Wash
and gently rub down the headband with the wet wash cloth. After you have
sufficiently cleaned the headband of sweat stains and soil, rinse the wash
cloth out with clear water and once again wash down the headband, cleaning
up any left soap. Let dry and your cap will be ready to go again. Some sweat
stains stay in but at least the cap will be clean.


Dusty caps?
Things like a little cat hair or lint, just take some masking tape (I like the 2 inch size) and wrap
some of it around your fingers so the sticky side is exposed and dab the hat with the tape.
The tape will pick up all the lint and anything else on the cap.

Just a little big?
Take a spray bottle of water and spray the headband with the water, then let dry in the sun on top
of an empty coffee can. Or, just let it dry without being elevated by the can. You can also dry it with
a good portable hair dryer.

Drying
DO NOT put them in the dryer!

Too tight?
What happens is the sweatband does its job and collects any moisture when you are wearing the cap.
Without a head to hold its shape and size, it will shrink as it dries. For starters, grab your cap from the
rear of the cap, place it over your knee and give a good hard yank. You will hear some popping noises.
That's O.K. Stop pulling after you hear a couple of these noises. If you pull too hard and too long, you
could rip a seam. We DON'T want that!! What you are actually doing is breaking the sizing, which is a
stiff plastic strap that we sew into the cap for shape and size maintenance.

[kimchicowboy]

thanks for the help guys. :)