Tips for Cowboy Hat Cleaning and Care

If you’re an avid cowboy hat wearer, then hat cleaning and maintenance are key for getting the most out of them. Like most apparel, hats should be cleaned so they keep their original look and shape. Because of the delicate design, the brim and crown can easily lose shape if not cared for properly, but proper cleaning and storage can help your Western hat retain its original shape.

Hat care is simple enough and will help make your cowboy hats last for years to come. Here are our tips for how to care for cowboy hats and handle common issues.

1. How to Keep Your Cowboy Hat Clean

From toiling on the ranch to general wear, your hat may get dusty or dirty. If you don’t have one, buy a hat brush to clean your hat after every wear. Hat brushes work best on felt hats, but can be used on leather or straw hats as well. To use a hat brush:

• Start on the left side of the hat and brush counterclockwise around it. You’ll brush the crown and brim in the same direction.
• For the underside of the brim, brush in a clockwise motion. This will remove embedded particles and leave your hat looking like new.

Use different brushes for light and dark-colored hats. Otherwise, you could transfer light-colored fibers onto your dark hat, and vice versa.

Some dirt and debris is too much for a brush to handle: If mud splashes on the material, spot clean the affected areas with a non-detergent soap, a soft sponge, and lukewarm water. If you’ve accidentally dropped your cowboy hat in a mud puddle or it’s been severely soiled in another way, you may need to take it to a professional to properly restore it.

2. How Do You Dry a Wet Cowboy Hat?

If your cowboy hat gets soaked in the rain or with snow, fear not. Once you get inside, it’s important to use a hat retainer or stretcher where the hat can be left to dry naturally. This will ensure the hat retains its size and shape as it dries and the fibers tighten up. Use a felt hat sponge to remove any rain spots. To prevent water damage, apply a non-silicone protective spray before you wear your hat. Once sprayed on, brush the spray into the felt to work it in.

If you sweat in your hats, pay attention to your sweatband: The acidic bacteria in sweat will gradually eat away at the leather sweatband and cause it to rot. You don’t want that building up and sitting on your skin, do you? Even if it only gets a little sweaty, always clean away sweat using mild dish soap and a damp cloth. After cleaning the sweatband, leave the hat on a stretcher so the sweatband doesn’t tighten up.

3. The Best Way to Store a Cowboy Hat

How you store your Western-style hats will greatly impact the fit and shape. You will damage your hat if it’s stored or handled incorrectly. These cowboy hat storage tips will help keep your hat in top shape for years to come.

The first thing to note is that your cowboy hats should never sit in direct sunlight! If you’ve seen hats sitting in truck or car windows, don’t follow suit—this is definitely not cool. The sun will bleach or fade your hat and can ruin the fit as well. Always store cowboy hats inside, out of direct sunlight, and in cool areas.

Many people set their hats brim-down when they’re done wearing them. This can put a lot of pressure on the brim, which may warp the overall shape. Instead, place it on its crown—with the brim up. You can also hang it on a hat stand, coat hook, or another area where the brim isn’t touching anything, but this is best temporarily, not for long-term hat storage.

When traveling, place the hat in a hat box if you aren’t wearing it. This will keep it from getting crushed or otherwise damaged. A hat can is designed to prevent damage and moisture—if you’re using a hat box instead, ensure there’s a gap or hole for better air circulation.

While crushable cowboy hats are designed to spring back after being folded or rolled, wool cowboy hats aren’t always so resilient. If your cowboy hat is too damaged or misshapen to repair yourself, take it to a hat shop for a professional’s opinion. Often, they’ll re-block your hat, meaning they’ll steam it back to the right shape. It doesn’t hurt to get it professionally cleaned every now and again, either.

With proper care, your Western hat can last for many years to come. For more information on cowboy and Western wear, explore our blog.