As everyone knows, the hat is like a watch or a suit – the kind of thing you want to shell out a few more bucks for in order to get something that’s top quality. But by taking good care of your hat it can last your whole life, ultimately giving you more bang for your buck than something that looked bad from the get-go and is going to fall apart in five years.
Extend the life of your hat by following these simple tips and tricks on how to properly store, and care hat.
1. When putting your hat down on a flat surface, lay it upside down on its crown, not on its brim. Leaving it on its brim will cause it to flatten out and change shape.
2. A hat box is a great way to protect your hat from dust and becoming misshapen.If your hat has a brim that angles downward, overhang the brim on the edge of a table or shelf.Fill your hat with tissue paper or t-shirt when packing or storing for long periods of time.
Never leave your hat in a car or near a window. Avoid direct sunlight for extended periods of time due to sun fading. Straw hats can also dry out and become hard/brittle.
3.You can also hang your hat on a hat rack or peg. Make sure the peg or hook is wide enough to not create a dimple in the hat. If your hook seems too sharp, cut a slit in a tennis ball and slip it over the hook to create a wider platform. Do not store your hat on a peg for long periods of time as the force of gravity pulling on the hat can change its shape.
4. If you plan on storing your hat for an extended period of time, then it’s best to place the hat in a hat box which supports both the brim and crown. Store the box in a cool, dry place, as both heat and moisture can damage your hat. But beware of moths making a snack of your topper — use lavender or cedar (a good, manly smell) to keep these buggers at bay.
5. Always handle your hat by the brim. Avoid handling the crown as much as possible. This is particularly true for straw hats.
Please remember：
①Never rest your hat on its brim. Turn it upside down and rest it on the crown. Resting a hat on the brim will flatten-out the brim.
②Heat will shrink the interior sweatband – avoid exposure to stoves, radiators, lamps and car windows.
③Store your hat in a cool dry place to help it to retain its shape and stay clean. Out-of-season, store your hat in a hat box.
Prolonging the Life of Your Hat
1. Handle it by the brim, not the crown. I’ll admit that I like doffing my hat by grabbing it by the crown. It just looks cool. But unfortunately, while it may be suave, it’s no good for your hat. All that pinching will weaken the crown’s ability to holds its shape or create a crease that can’t be fixed. Oils and dirt from your hand will also soil the hat. Take off or pick up your hat by grasping it at the front and back of the brim. Always handle your hat with clean hands to avoid transferring grime to it.
2. Allow wet hats to dry naturally. If you get caught in a rainstorm and your hat becomes soaked, allow it to dry naturally; artificial heat from a hair dryer or heater can distort or shrink the hat. Turn the sweatband out and place the hat on its brim on a towel to avoid creating flat spots on the crown. Shape the hat to its proper form; a wet hat will dry in the shape you leave it in.
3. Try to prevent your straw hat from getting wet! Water will cause the straw to swell, discolor, and lose its shape.
If your felt hat gets wet, first return the hat to its original shape, then turn down the interior leather sweatband and rest the hat on the sweatband to dry. Avoid resting the hat on its brim while wet. Do not expose a wet hat to heat.
4. Never leave your hat in your hot car. Heat and sunlight can dry out, fade and shrink your hat. So don’t leave it on your dashboard or in your trunk, or sitting in front of a window at home.
Please see the individual hats for care instructions, as care varies with the material used. The hemp and cotton hats are washable. Machine wash, air dry. Do not bleach. If your hats must of necessity be dried or stored under warm conditions, regular use of a Hat Stretcher will be beneficial. For more information please contact aungcrown.