Hat Grooming and caring advice
A few years ago, it seems like classic hats (fedoras and trilbies and the like) were making a comeback. As with all fads, it seemed to fade away as quickly as it arrived, leaving classic hats back to where they were before. A hat is like a watch or a pair of shoes – the kind of thing on which you want to invest some money in order to get something that’s top quality. It might do some damage to your pocket initially, but by taking good care of it can last you many years.
Storing a Hat
When keeping your hat on a surface, lay it upside down on its crown, not on its brim. Leaving it on its brim will cause it to flatten out and change shape. You can also hang your hat on a rack or peg. Make sure the peg or hook is wide enough to not cause a dimple in the hat. If your hook seems too sharp, cut a slit in a tennis ball and slip it over the hook to create a wider platform. Keeping your hat on a peg for prolonged period can cause a change in its shape due to the force of gravity pulling it towards the ground. The best idea is to place them in a hat box which supports both the brim and crown. Avoid moisture and heat, as both can damage your valuable accessory.
Cleaning a Hat
A soft shoeshine or a horsehair brush can be used to lose some dirt from your hat. Avoid using nylon bristles as they are not good to clean soft surfaces. The color of the bristles may sometimes transfer to the hat so it is preferable to get light-colored bristles for use. Smudges and stains can be removed by a special rubber sponge to absorb the stain after applying some cleaning detergent or a soap. For straw hats, use ivory soap and a wet cloth and gently rub the stain.
Prolonging the Life of Your Hat
Take off or pick up your hat by grasping it at the front and back of the brim. Oil and dirt from your hand will also soil the hat. Allow wet hats to dry naturally. If you get caught in a rainstorm and your hat becomes soaked, allow it to dry naturally; artificial heat from a hair dryer or heater can distort or shrink them. A wet straw hat will distort it’s shape after producing moisture. It will dry in the shape you leave it in. Never leave this accessory in a hot car. Heat and sunlight can dry out, fade and shrink it.
These simple measures can increase your time with the hat that might have been used by your grandfather or a newly purchased one that you love.
