Never machine-wash older caps with paper or cardboard brims, wool caps, or vintage baseball hats.

All baseball caps should beair-driedrather than using a clothes dryer, which can shrink or misshape the material.

It can damage the polyester fibers and cause premature yellowing or discoloration.

Baseball caps hanging from a hook

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Don’t put baseball hats in the dryer: The heat and tumbling action can distort its shape.

Rub a drop of shampoo and water into the stained area with a soft toothbrush.

Then, continue with the washing instructions pertaining to your hat punch in.

Materials for cleaning baseball caps

The Spruce / Fiona Campbell

Adding glue will also significantly change the value of a commemorative cap.

These should only need a light dusting or brushing yearly to keep them clean.

If using a bag, ensure nothing compresses the hat, as this will change its shape.

Someone using a soft bristled brush to pretreat a cap

The Spruce / Fiona Campbell

Always store baseball caps away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture.

Someone pre-soaking a baseball cap

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A baseball cap sitting on a pile of laundry in a basket

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A baseball cap drying on a vase

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Soft-bristled brush lightly scrubbing white cardboard brimmed hat

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Clean cloth blotting white brimmed hat to rinse

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White cardboard brimmed hat air drying on wooden surface

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Wool hat gently washed with soapy water

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Thick towel gently pressed on wool hat to rinse

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Wool hat air drying on head-shaped object

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Damp cloth testing colorfastness on vintage baseball cap

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Dishwashing liquid and water mixed for cleaning solution

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White cloth dipped in cleaning solution to clean vintage baseball cap

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White cloth rinsing vintage baseball cap with clean water

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Vintage baseball cap resting on wooden surface to air dry

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Soft toothbrush gently removing stain on baseball cap brim with shampoo

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Baseball hat brim being repaired with glue

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Wool and vintage baseball caps stored in plastic bin

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