how to clean a baseball cap with cardboard

How To Wash Baseball Caps with A Cardboard Brim

boy wearing a white baseball cap with a white t-shirt -- image found on www.pristinebaseballcaps.com

Cardboard bills can be found on many hats from before the 1980s. If the bill is made from cardboard or paper, spot cleaning is the only option that won't harm the cap.

You can follow this simple method to wash baseball caps with a cardboard brim:

1. Drop a detergent pod into warm water and let it fully dissolve.

2. Dip a towel in the solution and use it to gently rub off any stains on the hat or inside the headband.

Make sure the brim doesn't get wet! To remove deeper stains, use a soft-bristled brush.

3. Rinse the towel and wipe off any residual detergent from the hat.

4. Let the hat air dry.

After using these steps you should find that your cardboard brimmed hats are clean again. But don't just take our word for it, here's a video of DukeCity Kicks sharing this cleaning method as well (minus soaking the brim).

What is spot cleaning and how does it work?

Spot cleaning refers to treating only the stained area of the baseball cap. Also known as "sponging," this cleaning method isolates the stain to a limited area and prevents it from spreading.

Spot cleaning is the most effective cleaning method for cardboard brim hats. It'll remove stains without causing damage. Follow our instructions below for the best results when using stain removal products.

How to identify and remove stains from cardboard brim hats

a clothing brush -- you can use this to remove dust from your baseball caps -- image found on www.pristinebaseballcaps.com — **You can use a brush like this to remove the dust from your hat.**

Remove dust and/or dirt with a brush before you begin. Know that if you try rubbing a stain out of your hat, you may make it worse by pushing the stain deeper into the fibres.

If you're dealing with a liquid stain, wipe away as much of it as possible with a white towel or a paper napkin. If it's a grease strain, a slice of white bread can be used to absorb some of it.

Beginning the spot cleaning process

1. Use a white cloth or paper towels to absorb some of the stain. This will prevent it from spreading. If you use a different color cloth, the color may bleed onto the cap – so don't do that!

2. Place the stained area of the hat face down on a separate cloth.

3. Apply a stain remover to the cap and pat it with your cloth. To prevent the stain from getting bigger, begin at the corners of the stain and work your way inward.

4. After the first round of spot cleaning treatment is done, let it sit for a while and check back in 10 to 15 minutes. If the stain persists, repeat the previous steps until the stain is gone.

5. Let the hat air dry after spot cleaning. If you need to dry it quickly, avoid direct heat and instead use air from a fan. High heat can make it difficult to remove any remains of the stain later.

How to store baseball caps

To avoid dust accumulation, commemorative caps should always be stored in a covered case. To keep them clean, all they need is a quick dusting once a year. Keep the hat in a dark and cool place to prevent fading and mold from growing on it.

All other baseball caps can be kept in your closet. If you're carrying the hat in a bag, make sure nothing compresses it, or it will lose its shape. And keep caps out of direct sunlight, heat, and moisture.

If you're confused about anything in this post then check out this video by Findlay Hats. Amanda shows you how to correctly do this method in her own way.