How to Wash a Wool Hat Without Damaging It

Have you ever accidentally shrunk something made from wool in the wash? It’s an easy mistake to make, especially since wool requires a little extra care when cleaning.

If you’ve been putting off washing your wool hat because you’re worried about shrinking, stretching, or damaging it, there’s no need to avoid washing it altogether. With the right method, you can safely clean your hat while helping it maintain its shape and quality.

Keep reading for our quick guide on how to wash a wool hat the right way.

Why Washing Wool Hats Needs Extra Care

Wondering why wool can't take a whirl in your washing machine like the rest of your clothes? The main reason is that wool is a delicate material that reacts badly to heat, friction, and rough handling.

If you toss your wool hat in a washing machine, there's a good chance that it'll shrink, or at the very least lose its shape or get fuzzy. You might get away with putting it in a garment bag and washing it on a gentle cycle with cold water, but there's still a risk. 

That’s why it's best to learn how to hand-wash a wool hat, which will significantly reduce the likelihood of the wool fibers stretching or felting and help the hat keep its original shape.

Step-by-Step: How to Wash a Wool Hat

To wash a wool hat manually, you'll need a sink, some mild detergent, and a cloth or soft-bristled brush.

Fill your sink with lukewarm water (not hot water) and add a small amount of non-bleach laundry detergent. Give the water a swirl to mix the detergent in, then put the entire hat in the water and gently press it down to get it to soak evenly. Let it sit for about five minutes.

Ideally, this is all the cleaning your hat will need. But if necessary, you can use a soft brush or clean cloth to gently dab at any lingering dirt or sweat stains.

Once it's done soaking, carefully rinse the hat using clean lukewarm or cold water. Gently squeeze the hat to remove any excess water and place it on a clean surface. It might need another rinse to remove all the detergent.

Dos and Don’ts for Wool Hat Care

Here's a list of dos and don'ts for washing and caring for your wool hat:

• DO use cool water to wash your hat, lukewarm at most. Letting the hat soak in hot water will cause the wool to shrink.

• DO use a mild, wool-safe detergent. Regular soap or laundry pods might be the easier option, but these can damage the fibers.

• DO gently press out the excess water using a towel.

• DON'T use a washing machine or a dryer. Machine washing is always a risk, and even the wool cycle can be too harsh.

• DON'T hang the hat up to dry while it's still wet. This can stretch the fabric and ruin the shape, so dry it on a flat surface instead.

• DON'T wring the hat, even if it feels heavy with water, as this could distort its shape.

Once you hand-wash a wool hat for the first time, you'll find it pretty easy to repeat the process whenever needed.

How to Dry and Reshape a Wool Hat

The way a wool hat dries is just as important as the washing process itself, and there are a few helpful tips you'll want to follow.

After you've pressed out the water with a clean towel, lay your clean wool hat flat on another dry towel in its natural shape. Leave it to air dry in a well-ventilated area that's away from direct sunlight or heat sources like radiators.

Flat air drying usually takes around 24 hours in total, so you'll need to wash your hat when you don't immediately plan to wear it!

Once your hat is dry, put it in a hat box or somewhere safe until you want to wear it.

Now you know how to safely clean a wool hat without damaging it, you might be keen to build your own hat collection with a few more unique styles. Check out our selection of premium baseball caps, available in a range of styles, here.