How to Get Sweat Stains Out of Hats
Hats are a wardrobe staple. They keep the sun out of your eyes and help you stay cool on sunny days — but they also wick away moisture, which can cause unwanted sweat stains around the rim of your hat and warp its shape.
Luckily, washing away tough sweat stains is simple, and knowing how to prevent them can make your efforts to get rid of them a one-time feat.
In this blog, we’ll share three simple methods for removing sweat stains from your favorite hats and give you some tips on how to prevent them before they appear.
How to Remove Sweat Stains From Hats
Method #1: Hand Washing
Although the easiest option may be tossing your hat in the washing machine, the spin cycle can damage your hat’s visor.
Hand washing is the best way to preserve the color and shape of your hat while effectively removing tough sweat stains.
Before hand washing, check the tag to see if your hat is colorfast. If the tag neglects to say, dampen a light-colored rag with warm water and rub it against the inside of your hat.
If the rag removes color, the hat is not colorfast and should not be hand washed. If the rag comes away clean, the hat is colorfast.
To hand wash your hat, you’ll need:
- Stain remover
- 1 tbsp of laundry detergent
- A medium-sized bowl with warm water
- A dry hand towel
First, spray the stains on your hat with stain remover, including the stains on the inner rim. Spray the stain remover onto your hat and let it sit for a couple of minutes (we recommend Zout).
Pour the laundry detergent into the bowl of warm water, and stir it to create bubbles.
Dip your hat into the soapy water, and let it sit for three to five hours. Stir the water occasionally to help rid the fabric of stains.
Once you let the hat sit, remove it and rinse it under warm, clean water. Do so until the water that runs off is clear and bubble-free. Pat lightly with a towel to remove the water.
Set your hat out to dry, avoiding direct sunlight. To help the hat keep its shape as it dries, roll up a hand towel and place it inside of the hat.
If the stains persist, spray the hat again with stain remover. Zout can be used before or after a wash.
Method #2: Baking Soda and Vinegar
Worried about using harsh chemicals on your clothes? Baking soda and vinegar is an effective combination to remove stains and avoid agitating sensitive skin.
You’ll need:
- Five tablespoons of baking soda
- ⅓ cup of warm water
- A toothbrush
- Distilled white vinegar
- An empty spray bottle
- Hand towel
Mix together the baking soda and water to form a smooth paste. Dip the toothbrush into the paste and rub it against the stains on your hat in a back-and-forth motion. Repeat this process on all visible stains.
Allow the paste to sit on the hat for 45 minutes.
Next, fill the empty spray bottle with the distilled vinegar, and spray the vinegar onto the stains. Use the toothbrush to rub the mixture together on the hat.
Rinse the hat in warm water until the water that runs off is clean. Pat the hat dry with a hand towel.
Roll up the towel and place it inside the hat as it dries.
Method #3: Use the Dishwasher
Hats in the dishwasher aren’t something you see every day, but it’s a great way to remove stains on your hat.
You’ll need:
- Your dishwasher
- A non-bleach dishwashing detergent
Important: If your hat is made of cotton, jersey mesh, or polyester, then it is dishwasher safe. If it contains cardboard, do not wash it in the dishwasher.
Place your hat in the top rack of your dishwasher to avoid shrinking the material, which can happen if it’s too close to the heater located at the bottom of the machine.
Use a non-bleach dishwashing detergent to avoid discoloration. If the sweat stains are mild, detergent is not needed.
Set the water temperature to cold and deactivate the heated dry option, setting the machine on a gentle wash cycle.
Allow the dishwasher to run, then remove the hat from the top rack. Place the hat in a cool place and allow it to dry.
Stop Sweat Stains Before They Start
Want to avoid sweat stains in your hats altogether? NoSweat, a disposable moisture-wicking performance hat liner, sticks inside any hat, visor, helmet or hard hat and is engineered to instantly absorb sweat.
Made with thin, soft and lightweight hypoallergenic materials, it will protect your skin and keep pesky sweat stains at bay. NoSweat hat liners will keep your hats fresh while keeping you cool and dry.
NoSweat hat liners are now available at Thompson Tee — try it today!
