Read the hat’scare labelto find out any specific cleaning requirements.
If your hat doesn’t have care instructions, pay attention to the tightness of the weave.
In these instances, skip the steps that require water, and use avacuumand soft brush instead.
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Here’s how to safely clean and care for a straw hat.
Clean them separately by dusting orhand-washing.
They can often be refreshed with a bit of steam or ironing.
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Don’t use a colored cloth, as thedye may transferto the straw.
Once you know it’s safe, wipe the hat in a circular pattern to avoid damaging the straw.
Can You Wash a Straw Hat?
You should never put a straw hat in a washing machine or soak it in water.
Water can make fibers swell and become misshapen.
Water can also cause rot to develop in the straw fibers.
What is a Straw Hat?
For stains around the sweatband, use 1/2 teaspoonhydrogen peroxideand 1/2 teaspoon warm water on light-colored straw.
For dark straw, use 1/2 teaspoon ammonia and 1/4 cup warm water.
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Clean, and then blot with a white towel dampened with water.
Allow the area to dry completely before wearing again.
For oily stains, sprinkle the stain with cornstarch or talcum powder to absorb the oil.
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Allow it to stand for a few hours, and then brush or vacuum away.
For sweat stain odors, deodorize the band with baking soda before cleaning the sweat stains with other treatments.
Sprinkle baking soda on the hat band and allow to sit for 24 hours.
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Your patching effort may be noticeable, but it will stabilize the straw.
Don’t over-steam, or the entire hat can lose its shape.
How to Store Straw Hats
Always store straw hats in a cool, dry place.
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Never store a straw hat in a plastic bag, which can cause discoloration and promotemildew.
Use a toothbrush or soft-bristled brush to penetrate the stain with the mixture.
Wipe dry with a clean cloth and let dry before wearing or storing the hat.
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Dousing a straw hat with water can make it warp.
Do not wear a straw hat in the rain because it will not keep its shape.
Squeeze out any excess solution and gently dab over the hat to sanitize and kill the mold and mildew.
For a water-soaked hat, shake off excess water.
you might swap out the stuffing every few hours to speed up the drying process.
see to it to place the hat away from direct heat or sunlight while it dries.
If your straw hat is misshapen, it can be gently steamed and reshaped by hand.
Evenly steam the crown from inside and around the exterior, and then work back into shape.
Dab a solution of 50/50 peroxide and warm water on the hat to brighten it up.
Do not use bleach to whiten a straw hat.
Chlorine bleach may damage the straw fibers or change the color of the hat.
