How to Wash a Visor: Do’s and Don'ts

Washing a hat is a bit more complicated than most of your other laundry, and a big reason for this is the visor. Especially when you're looking at a visor hat, where the visor is the main feature, simply throwing it in the wash usually isn't the smartest move.

If you're keen to know how to wash a visor hat the safe way, we're covering all the details you need to know in this guide.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean a Visor

Let's get straight to what you want to know: how to clean a visor without ruining it. Here's the gentle hand-washing approach for when your visor hat is a bit grubby and could do with a clean:

1. Gather the hat, a bucket or tub (if you're not using your sink), mild detergent, and a soft cloth or a soft brush.

2. Fill your sink or a bucket with cold water and a squeeze or scoop of mild detergent.

3. Swish the water to mix it well.

4. Submerge the visor under the water and gently scrub any stained or dirty areas. You can use either a soft cloth or a soft-bristled brush for this.

5. Make sure you focus on spots that are likely to get the dirtiest when you're wearing the cap, like the sweatband and the underside of the brim.

6. Remove the visor from the water, then rinse it thoroughly with cool water to remove any soap residue.

7. Pat the visor gently with a towel to remove excess water, then reshape it (if necessary)

8. Let the hat air dry on a clean towel or drying rack away from direct sunlight.

Yes, handwashing takes a bit more effort than risking the washing machine, but it's the safer option when you want to maintain your visor hat's shape and the quality of the hat material. If you're washing a cheap visor cap that you don't really care about, you might get away with washing it on a gentle cycle in your washing machine. Otherwise, hand-washing is best.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Washing a Visor

Want to get the best results from washing your visor baseball cap without any unpleasant surprises? Make sure you avoid all these common mistakes:

Tossing The Visor Hat Straight in the Wash

When you're tight on time and you need your visor hat looking clean and presentable ASAP, it's tempting to toss it straight in your washing machine without checking the care label or adjusting the wash cycle. But most hat brands have specific machine-washing instructions that you'll need to follow carefully to avoid damaging the visor.

Using Bleach or a Strong Cleaning Solution

Another mistake to avoid is using bleach or strong detergents to clean your visor. When you're dealing with a tough stain, a stronger cleaner might feel like the only option, but the last thing you want is to break down the fabric or cause discoloration. Stick with mild detergents or dish soap, or spot-clean with baking soda or white vinegar if needed.

Washing in Hot Water

Using hot water can be a big issue when you're washing a visor hat. It might seem like a good way to kill germs or clean the hat faster, but there's a real risk of damaging the adhesives used to hold the hat together. Using heat in general is a bad idea, so don't put your visor in the dryer if you want to maintain its shape and structure.

Soaking the Visor for Too Long

Finally, don't make the mistake of letting your visor hat soak for a few hours. We recommend soaking for five to 10 minutes to loosen any stubborn dirt, but leaving your visor in the water for too long can weaken its materials, especially around the inner structure of the brim.

Best Cleaning Products for Visors

You'll be happy to hear that you generally don't need to waste your money on expensive specialty cleaners to wash a visor properly. The best visor hat cleaning products include:

• A gentle liquid laundry detergent (ideally one made for delicate fabrics)

• Dish soap (as a spot-stain remover for surface dirt)

• Soapy water (for soaking)

• White vinegar mixed with water (especially for sweat stains)

• A soft white cloth or toothbrush for gentle scrubbing

• Baking soda (to remove stains and neutralize bad smells)

Regardless of the cleaner you use, make sure to rinse your visor in cool or warm water before you leave it to dry.

Hand-Washing vs. Machine Washing: What’s Safer?

You've probably already picked up on our stance on hand-washing versus machine washing when it comes to how to wash a visor. Hand-washing is almost always the safest method, since you have full control over the cleaning process, reducing the risk of damage.

Machine washing can still work, but you should only consider this option if the visor’s care label says it’s safe. If you prefer to do it the lazy way, at least put the visor in a laundry bag and wash it on a delicate cycle with cold water, then leave it to air dry afterward.

If all this talk about cleaning a visor hat has got you thinking about expanding your hat collection, check out our selection at Notch. We've designed a range of baseball cap styles to suit every look, including cotton hats, notch-less hats, and, of course, visors.