How to Wash a Baseball Cap Properly

How to Wash a Baseball Cap Properly
Photo by Aman Jakhar from Pexels

If you’re wondering how to wash a baseball cap, you’ve come to the right place! It’s actually very easy to clean this head gear and you have a couple of methods you can use.

In this article, we will take a deeper look at the options available, as well as providing you with step-by-step instructions.

Here’s what you need to do:

Can You Wash a Baseball Cap?

Yes, you can wash a baseball cap and while something clothing that you can toss into the washer and dryer without too much thought, your caps will require some special affection.

Depending on the type of baseball cap, it might require special washing instructions. It is best to look on the tag to see how that specific cap should be washed.

3 Best Ways to Wash a Baseball Cap

Photo by Dave Goudreau on Unsplash

When you are ready to clean your baseball cap, you have 3 cleaning options available to you.

You can either use:

  • Hand washing
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher

Hand washing is your best option for retaining the shape and density of the fabric, but the other methods can be just as effective in cleaning your cap, once it is done properly.

To see how to safely and effectively clean your baseball cap using the different methods mentioned above, continue reading below.

How to Hand Wash a Baseball Cap



To begin you will need to fill a pan or sink with room temperature to warm water (not scorching to the point where you can’t put your hands in). 

Next, add your desired detergent of choice – mild on fabrics yet powerful on stains are desirable traits for the perfect detergent. 

Before adding your cap to the prepared water, you should spot treat for tough stains. Place a dab of soap on the spots, rub gently with a toothbrush or small washing brush and allow it to sit for about 20 minutes. Place in the pan filled with soapy water and allow it to soak for a couple hours.

When you’re doing soaking the cap, lift it out of the water and check for any stubborn stains. Spot treat again with a dab of detergent and a small brush. Gently rub the rest of the cap with your palms, taking care not to bend it out of shape. Once it appears clean, it’s time for rinsing.

Rinse in a pan filled with clear water. Do not add softeners or any other rinsing agents!

How to Wash a Baseball Cap in a Washing Machine?



If your baseball cap is starting to look dingy and dirty, throwing it in the washing machine is a quick and easy way to get it looking good as new. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1

Start by placing your baseball cap in a mesh laundry bag. This will help protect it from getting damaged in the washing machine.

Step 2

Add your baseball cap to your washing machine along with some other items of clothing – this will help balance out the load and prevent your baseball cap from getting damaged.

Step 3

Choose a delicate or hand-wash cycle on your washing machine, and use a mild detergent.

Step 4

Once the cycle has finished, remove your baseball cap from the laundry bag and allow it to air dry. Do not put it in the tumble dryer as this could damage it.

There you have it! Washing your baseball cap in the washing machine is a quick and easy way to keep it looking its best.

Washing Your Baseball Cap in a Dishwasher

Seems a bit weird, but there are people out there who wash their baseball caps in a dishwasher. They claim it gets the cap just as clean as hand washing or using the washing machine.

We’ve added a short video that will show you the exact steps you can take to get your baseball cap clean using a dish washer.

Drying Your Washed Baseball Caps

Once you’ve rinsed your baseball cap, you can pat it down with a towel to get rid of the excess water. The next step is to air dry it. If your climate allows, you can hang the cap outdoors taking care not to use pins that will leave indentations in the fabric.

You can place a towel on top of a container and place the cap atop it as well.

A large coffee container or even a mannequin head would be perfect for perching the cap atop. 

If you’re in a hurry you can use a hair dryer to dry your cap. This will require some level of precision to keep the heat at a constant temperature. Too high a temperature can cause damage to the fibers of the cap and cause it to be bent out of shape. 

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Bonus Tip:

Older hats will require more precision and gentler care. You’ll need to do a color test with your vintage cap. To test the color, use a rag with a bit of detergent to run the underside of the cap.

If any color comes off on the cap, you’ll need a milder detergent. If there’s no color, then proceed with washing using the hand washing technique outlined above.

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