How to properly wash a cap with a visor so that it does not lose its shape
A cap is a stylish wardrobe item that emphasizes the individuality of the owner and protects him from the scorching sun. The only drawback of baseball caps is the difficulty in washing, due to the irregular shape and the materials used in the creation. If you don't observe the accuracy, the thing is easy to ruin, which is not desired by any headdress owner. Let's figure out how to properly wash the cap at home and how to better care for it.
First steps
Before washing your baseball cap in the washing machine, make sure it really needs it. If the material is in a small spot placed on the hat by inaccuracy, it is easier and more practical to treat only the damaged area than to wash the whole thing.
If washing cannot be avoided, then:
- Decide on the materials from which the cap is made. Cloth hats that do not contain hard plastic parts can be washed with other items. Otherwise, the item is washed separately.
- Custom or delicate baseball caps are hand washed.This method is less aggressive, it will not hurt things.
Hand washing
Hand washing is recommended for most hats, as it does not expose the product to excessive mechanical stress and does not distort its shape.
In the handwashing process, you will need:
- prepare tools to remove contamination;
- find the right cleaning product;
- dry the cap well so that it does not deform.
To note! Hand washing does not guarantee safe cleaning of the harness if not done carefully, using harsh chemicals.
What is necessary
Before you start handwashing, you should prepare:
- A soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush
- lint roller;
- stationery tape or stretch film;
- sponge;
- suitable cleaning agent;
- Hot water.
Soft or toothbrush
A soft brush is essential to gently remove stains from the fabric. Dirt on the hard parts of the headgear is dealt with particularly effectively. If you don't have a regular brush, use a toothbrush. The main thing is not to rub the fabric with sharp, strong movements, so as not to spoil the appearance of the headdress.
Lint roller
It is necessary for the initial processing of the cap, removing small hairs, dust particles and other dirt from its surface. This treatment will prepare the hat for later cleaning, eliminating the need for long washes and rinses.
Scotch tape or cling film
Necessary to protect the decorative elements of the baseball cap, such as:
- stickers;
- rubber stamps;
- brand logos.
Simply tape the desired area of the cap with tape and be careful not to expose it to moisture when fully submerged in water.
Sponge
A sponge is needed to apply the detergent to the contaminated areas in cases where the entire helmet cannot be placed in water or is undesirable. In addition, it absorbs excess moisture that remains on the surface of the fabric well. The soft sponge structure does not damage the harness, which extends its life.
Cleaning agent
The choice of a cleaning agent is an important step on which the final washing result largely depends. If not chosen correctly, then:
- the material from which the baseball cap is made will be damaged;
- the fabric may fade or take on an unusual shade.
It is advisable to select delicate powders that are used when washing children's clothes.
Hot water
The temperature of the water used for washing should not exceed 30-35 O... Hot water will cause the fabric to warp, which will deteriorate the appearance of the cap. Cold water will not allow you to effectively deal with pollution, so its use is also unacceptable.
How to clean
The best way to clean your baseball cap is:
- Dry clean with a lint roller.
- Wet treatment with the right cleaning product. For some stains, laundry detergent will work, while for others, sea salt will work.
- Re-treatment of the damaged area, if necessary.
- Drying.
Use a stain remover
Stain removers are used only in cases where it was not possible to get rid of the stain with the usual methods, and it is a pity to throw away the cap. In this case:
- apply the stain remover to the bitten area with a sponge;
- let the product penetrate the structure of the stain for 20 minutes;
- rinse the area with plenty of lukewarm water.
How to align
To return the headdress to its previous shape, straighten it after washing, the following means will help:
- starch;
- PVA glue, diluted in water in a ratio of 1 to 1;
- Beer;
- acrylic lacquer.
Features of cleaners from different materials
In addition to the basic principles of cleaning, suitable for any headgear, one should take into account the features of the fabric from which the product is made.
If this is not done, the cap can be seriously damaged. Some popular materials for baseball caps include:
- the skin;
- wool;
- fur;
- synthetics;
- cashmere;
- velvety;
- felt.
Leather
Leather is a popular material for caps.
Owners of these hats should keep the following in mind:
- The leather cap should not be washed in water.
- If it is necessary to clean the cloth from dirt, a sponge soaked in detergent is used, which is used to process the damaged area.
- Do not dry the item in the sun. Wipe off excess moisture with a dry cloth and place the cap in a stream of air.
Wool
It is permissible to remove soiled stains by washing if:
- cold or hot water is used;
- a delicate mode is used, with the use of mild detergents;
- automatic spin and rinse are not applied.
To note! The wool settles when washed in hot water, which disrupts the shape of the hat.
Synthetics
If necessary, it is forbidden to wash a synthetic baseball cap or snapback:
- use hot water;
- use harsh powders or bleaches.
Otherwise, cleaning synthetics is no different than cleaning cotton hats.
Fur
Fur products are extremely capricious, and removing stains from them at home is a sure way to say goodbye to your favorite thing. It is recommended to take it to a dry cleaner, where the dirt will be cleaned without damaging the cap. If this is not possible, try to clean only the areas where there is no fur.
Cashmere
A stain on a cashmere product can be removed as follows:
- Use a cleaner designed for cashmere or silk.
- Washing is done only with lukewarm water.
- Do not soak the item in water.
- Do not twist or squeeze the cap, otherwise it will ruin its shape.
Velvety
For corduroy, dry cleaning methods are used, since moisture adversely affects the shape and structure of the fabric. If the dirt cannot be removed this way, gently brush the stain with a brush dipped in soapy water. Once the fabric is slightly dry, you need to comb it.
Felt
A felt cap, inadvertently soiled by its own owner, is cleaned with an ammonia solution. Algorithm of actions:
- we dilute ammonia and water, in a ratio of 1 to 1;
- we treat stains with them;
- remove excess solution and dirt with a paper towel;
- gently smooth the fabric with a brush.
How to dry well at home
It is not enough to wash the cap to restore it to its former appearance. Proper drying of a hat is no less important than washing.
You won't get a straight visor and the correct outline on a baseball cap if you dry it like regular clothes.
It is not always possible to iron caps, and some visors, for example, cardboard ones, are completely damaged by any careless influence. Try not to dry the item in the washing machine or in the sun, otherwise it will completely lose its original shape.
We use starch
Starching allows you to give the cap the correct shape, which is lost during the washing process. To do this, you need to prepare the right mixture for processing and dry the product well.
Starch
The baseball cap has lost its original shape, whatever. A starch-based solution will come to the rescue. It's done like this:
- take a tablespoon of starch;
- we dilute it in a liter of warm water;
- as soon as the solution cools to room temperature, lower the cap into it;
- let the liquid soak the fabric for 10 minutes;
- remove and gently wring out excess moisture with your hand;
- we smooth the fabric with our hands and we put a cap at the bottom of the container, the volume corresponding to our cap.
To note! It is not necessary to lower the visor in the solution.
PVA glue
In the absence of starch at home, PVA glue will come to the rescue. This will help restore the shape of the product without destroying the structure of the fabric. The solution is prepared on the basis of water and glue, diluted in a ratio of 1 to 1. Processing is carried out in a similar way to starch.
Beer
Pour the beer into a steeping vessel and lower the cap into it. After 30 minutes, the hat is removed and put on the pot, having previously removed excess moisture.
Acrylic lacquer
Algorithm of actions when processing a baseball cap with acrylic varnish:
- we put it on a pot of the required volume;
- we lay a newspaper or film under the pot;
- apply varnish to the fabric with a brush;
- let the acrylic dry for 1 hour.
If done correctly, acrylic is able not only to give things shape, but also to restore luster to fabric.
modern way
Among young people, a method that involves the use of special chemistry for shaping is gaining more and more popularity. The cap is smoothed on a jar, after which it is sprayed with a spray.
Rules of care
Below are the rules of care, compliance with which is relevant for caps made of any fabric:
- The plastic visor can be cleaned in the washing machine.
- Cardboard awnings should not be washed in water.
- Before washing, the cap should be gently beaten to remove dust and lint.
- When using a new cleaning product, apply it to the inside of the cap and observe the reaction of the fabric. If it has not faded, feel free to use it for cleaning.