Read on for our guide on removing sweat stains from several hats.

Read on for our guide on removing sweat stains from several hats.

Work the stain remover or detergent into the soiled areas using a soft bristle brush.

Overhead view of a baseball hat and sweat stain removal supplies

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Allow it to set for at least 15 minutes before washing the hat.

Gently agitate the hat in the soapy water and use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub heavily soiled areas.

Rinse the hat in the water and repeat until all the water is clear and free of suds.

Soaking a fabric hat with sweat stains

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

When its clear, gently squeeze to remove excess water.

Lay the hat on a dry towel to finish drying.

To start, mix four tablespoons of baking soda and a 14 cup of water to create a paste.

Removing sweat stains from a hat sweatband

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Adjust the measurements if needed to achieve a thick but spreadable paste.

Then, let the hat sit for an hour before spraying the area with white vinegar.

Once more, try scrubbing gently.

Freshly washed hat

Freshly washed kindergaten hat by bee32bee32 / Getty Images

Hats with cardboard brimscommon in older baseball capscant be machine-washed.

Tip

 Don't waitsweat stains on a hat won't fade away on their own.

Do not use harsh cleaners on most hats.

Pretreating sweat stains on a fabric hat

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Do not soak or overwet hats that are not machine washable.

They will lose their shape.

Don’t guess about the material of the hat.

Do some research to avoid ruining the felt, fabric, or straw.

Doing so will reduce the number of times youll have to clean the hat.

While its impossible to fully prevent sweat stains, there are a few tricks that can help.