How to Wash a Running Hat

how to wash running hat

How to Wash a Running Hat

The hat is used as a major accessory. They can accumulate much dirt and grime, making it difficult to wash them. So, how to wash a running hat is important?

Cleaning hats requires careful attention and precision. You have the option to either wash them by hand or use a washing machine. It’s common for people to use washing machines for this purpose, but the type of hat significantly matters, particularly if it’s hand-knit wool or a running hat. In order to thoroughly understand the nuances of hat washing, we will explore various methods and processes to ensure your valuable headgear stays in top condition.

This includes answers to essential questions like: How do you wash hats without damaging them? What’s the best way to wash a hat in the washing machine? Specifically, when it comes to high-end brands like Nike, how does one properly clean a Nike running hat? Is it safe to put a Nike hat in the washer?

Running hats are a common sight on our city streets, often sported by many. Not only do these hats add a trendy element to the wearer’s look, but they also offer protection from the sun, provide an aerodynamic shape, and help prevent hair from tangling.

If you’re interested in exploring more options, refer to our article titled ‘Best Running Hat for Hot Weather‘. There, you’ll find a collection of the top running hats available on the market.

Table of Contents

Nobody wants to harm their favorite accessory, which they use daily. So, how do you clean hats without damaging them? One of the safest methods is hand washing. This technique allows for a thorough yet gentle cleaning that preserves the texture, material, and color of the hat. However, this may not apply to all hats, especially sturdier ones that may need a more rigorous cleaning, which washing machines can provide.

Washing a hat is a delicate task as it requires not only removing all the dust and dirt but also eliminating any germs. By doing this, you can confidently wear your hat the next time, knowing it’s free from harmful bacteria and possible infections.

To decide between hand washing or machine washing, you need to be familiar with your hat’s material. This step is crucial. If you choose the wrong method, you could potentially lose the perfect fit and shape of the hat. For example, washing a hand-knit wool hat in a washing machine can cause considerable damage. The best way to ascertain the correct method is to consult the care instructions provided on the hat’s tags. If these tags are missing, using your own judgment could be the best way to prevent unexpected damage.

hat tags
Showing a diagram on how to wash a hat

How do you wash a hat in the washing machine?

Unlike socks, shirts, pants, and caps that can easily get smelly, dirty, and sweat-stained, and be thrown in the washing machine, hats require a bit more care. When it comes to washing hats, most people either hand wash them or take them to the professionals. But what if you want to wash your hat in the washing machine? Well, good news! Many caps and hats can actually be safely washed in the machine, just like khaki shorts, heavy-cotton clothes, or jeans.

To ensure your hat comes out of the washing machine in great shape without losing its texture or getting deformed, you can use a cap cage. Simply place the cap cage in the washer and follow these steps, recommended by Hunker, to wash your hats:

  1. Gather Your Hats: Collect the hats you want to wash and make sure they are suitable for machine washing. Check the care label or any manufacturer’s instructions to be certain.
  2. Prep Your Hats: Before tossing your hats into the washing machine, it’s a good idea to give them a quick brush or shake to remove any visible dirt or debris. This step helps prevent extra dirt from spreading inside the machine and potentially damaging your hats.
  3. Select the Right Settings: Choose the appropriate settings on your washing machine. Opt for a gentle or delicate cycle with cold water. Avoid using hot water, as it can cause your hats to shrink or lose their shape.
  4. Place the Hats in a Cap Cage: Put your hats in a cap cage, which is designed to protect them during the washing process. This will help maintain their shape and prevent them from getting tangled with other items in the machine.
  5. Add Mild Detergent: Use a mild detergent specifically designed for delicate fabrics. Avoid using bleach or harsh chemicals, as they can damage the material of your hats. Follow the detergent’s instructions regarding the amount to use.
  6. Start the Wash Cycle: Once your hats are in the cap cage and the detergent is added, start the wash cycle. Let the machine do its work and complete the entire cycle for optimal cleaning.
  7. Air Dry Your Hats: After the wash cycle is finished, resist the temptation to throw your hats in the dryer. The heat can cause them to shrink or lose their shape. Instead, gently reshape your hats to their original form and place them on a clean towel or a hat rack in a well-ventilated area. Allow them to air dry naturally.

Remember, if your hats are made of straw, or leather, or have delicate embellishments, it’s best to hand wash them or seek professional cleaning services. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure the longevity of your hats.

How to keep your hat to stay in shape?

cap washing cage
Showing a black hat in a washing cap cage

If you are not planning to dry your hat into the cap cage, you might face the band, and the bill appeared in the hat. This is due to the wrapping of the hat into the cap cage. The other way to save your day from the mess is too remove them and put the hat into a circular form such as a coffee can, an upturned bowl.

Tips for washing hats

  • Generally, one can wash the good quality caps without any hustle. This washing can apply to the hats too that have good quality materials made up of cotton, polyester, or twill. Hence, you can wash your hats by adding cool or warm water into the washing machine using mild laundry soap. However, before digging into the direct wash, it is essential to read the labels according to the laundry instructions and cap’s care.
  • If you found any stains on your cap such as sweat stains, it’s important to pre-treat the stains. You can do this by removing the stains with good stain remover. Also, keep in mind not to use bleach on your caps.
  • Moreover, for some caps such as Flex-fit, that can stretch to provide comfort and secure grip. The manufacturers advise that these caps are durable and can be wash easily. These caps are generally made with polyurethane spandex and woven, so you can use them through hand-wash or by using cold water into the machine. Try not to bleach or air dry them.
  • Suppose you are on the go to wash some budget-brand hats that are cheap or flimsy and have poor stitching and cardboard part on the band or visor. It’s better to wash them directly by hands or if you plan to experiment it with washing machine then prepare to replace it if you got fails.

How to wash a running hat?

You can find a large amount of dust, grime, and dirt in your running hats. By following these instructions provided by wikiHow, you will learn how to wash a running hat:

running hats
Showing a bunch of running hats

Pre-treat the headband or liner of your running hat:

The dirtiest part in your running hat is the liner or headband. While wearing, this part soaks all the sweats and skin oil. Carefully pick the enzyme-based laundry pre-spray and spritz. This helps in breaking down such grimes.

Toss down your running hat in with your regular laundry:

During this phase, you can quickly treat your hat to wash it, usually, like any other laundry garment. Make sure to put your hat into the washing machine with similar colored-clothes. And for the detergent, you can use whichever detergent you prefer.

  • To get the best results from your washing, try to wash the hats with cold water. You can also use warm water while washing the hats. However, we do not recommend you to use hot water while washing it.
  • Do not apply any type of bleach while washing your hat, as this will damage the color of your hat.

Leave your running hat to air dry:

Once you are done with the washing cycle for your running hat, it is time to remove the hat and place it on the clean, flat, dry surface in a well-ventilated area. As an option, to speed up the drying process, you can also position an electric fan nearby the hat. Make sure not to put your running hat into the cloth dryer as it will add band and bill into your hat, and you might lose the shape of your hat.

How do you wash Nike running hats?

nike running hats
Showing a black Nike running hat

Interestingly, the famous Nike running hats are used to keep you protected from the sun and can also be cast-off to enhance your fashion sense. Although similar to other running hats, these Nike hats can also get filled with sweat and dirt while wearing them outside and performing any type of exercise. Hence these hats do require intensive care and should adequately be wash and clean. By following these guidelines, you will learn how to wash Nike running hats without a washer safely?

  • Fill-out the sink or water bowl with warm-to mild hot water
  • Add 1/4th cup of liquid detergent into the water. Try to use the detergent that has no bleach or pick a laundry detergent with a “bleach alternative,” this will protect staining the cap.
  • Put the Nike hat into the water and soak it down for up to 30 min to an hour.
  • Make sure to slightly scrub the hat with the brush to remove dirt or stain. You can either scrub it after removing it from the water or while in the water.
  • Finally, rinse your Nike hat thoroughly. Make sure you don’t leave any soap left into the hat.
  • To dry the hat, allow your Nike running hat to hang it outside or place it in front of the window or fan.

Can I put my Nike hat in the washer?

The safest way to wash your Nike hat is through hand-wash as some hats are not made to wash into the laundry machine. For instance, wool caps, Nike running hats, and polo hats hold an extra leather strap for starters. Hence putting these hats into the washer can be a big experiment that might end on fail and give you a chance to replace them.

Conclusion

Typically people wear running hats more often, especially while going outside or perform any sort of exercise. Due to the vast usability of running caps, one might encounter with so much sweat, dust, dirt, smell, and bacteria stick to it.

Hence, it requires intensive deep washing and cleaning without ruining the hat’s quality and color. One way is to wash it with hands or other through the laundry machine. As per our recommendations, try to wash your hat method after carefully pick the material.

So to save money and mess, it’s better to wash running hats with hand-washed while correctly reading the care tag instructions or learning more about the products such as material, fabric type, etc., through the manufacturer’s website. This way one can easily learn more about the product in details.

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