How to Clean a Golf Hat (Without Ruining the Brim)

Copia Casamigas Refrescante Picante

Your hat survived 18 in July. It deserves a spa day that doesn’t turn the brim into a Pringle.

  • No dishwasher. No dryer. Ever.
  • Use cool water + gentle soap, spot-treat first, air-dry on a form.
  • Cardboard brims (vintage) = no full soak; modern plastic brims = fine to hand‑wash.

What you’ll need

  • Soft brush (old toothbrush or hat brush)
  • Mild liquid detergent or gentle dish soap
  • White vinegar (for salt/sweat)
  • Baking soda (for deodorizing)
  • Small bowl + clean microfiber towel
  • Hat form, balled-up towel, or bowl to keep shape while drying

Step-by-step (15–20 minutes, no drama)

  • Check the tag & brim type. If it’s truly vintage (pre‑2000s) with a cardboard brim, don’t soak. Spot clean only. Most modern golf caps use plastic—hand‑wash is safe.
  • Dry brush the dust. Knock off loose dirt and grass.
  • Mix solution: cool water + a few drops of mild detergent.
  • Spot test under the sweatband to check for color bleed.
  • Treat sweat stains: dab a 1:1 mix of cool water + white vinegar on the band line. Let sit 5 minutes.
  • Hand‑wash: dip brush in the soapy solution and scrub light circles on the sweatband, then panels. Re-dip as needed. Avoid soaking patches/embroidery for too long.
  • Rinse: run cool water lightly over the hat or wipe with a damp towel until suds are gone.
  • De‑odorize (optional): sprinkle baking soda inside, let sit 10 minutes, tap out.
  • Reshape & dry: set on a hat form/balled towel. Air‑dry only, away from sun/heat. Expect 8–12 hours.

Quick fixes by stain type

  • Sweat/salt rings → 1:1 water + vinegar, then mild soap. Repeat light passes; rings fade after drying.
  • Sunscreen/oil → tiny dot of dish soap on the spot, 3–5 minutes, brush gently, rinse.
  • Grass → pre‑treat with liquid detergent, 10 minutes, brush. Avoid bleach.
  • Mud → let it fully dry, flake off, then wash.

What not to do

  • Dishwasher: warps brims, bakes stains, ruins adhesives.
  • Washing machine: agitator = creases and broken shape.
  • Hot water, bleach, or dryer: color bleed, shrinkage, crispy crown.
  • Soaking a cardboard brim: instant regret.

Maintenance routine (so you never get rings again)

  • After hot rounds, wipe the band with a damp towel + a drop of soap.
  • Rotate hats—give them a day to dry out.
  • Store on a hook or shelf, not crushed in the trunk.

Light product plug (you knew it was coming)

If your current lid is on life support, upgrade the rotation. Dead Bogeys hats are built for sweat and sunlight—and yes, they clean up nice.


→ Add Dead Straight to cart or browse All Hats.

FAQ

Will cleaning shrink my hat? Not if you use cool water and air‑dry away from heat.

Can I use oxi/enzymatic cleaners? In small amounts on stubborn stains—spot test first, avoid soaking embroidered patches.

How often should I clean it? Every 5–8 rounds (or any time the sweatband gets salty).

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