Q&A for How to Wash a Baseball Cap by Hand

You could wash a hat in the shower but if it requires more than simply wetting it and a quick scrub, it’s going to be wasteful of water and it’d be better to hand wash it in a tub. Also, if you like hot showers, this isn’t good for your hat. Since it’s just easier to concentrate on cleaning yourself in the shower and on the hat in a tub, wash the hat out of the shower.

To remove the sweat stains from a hat, choose the method that works best for you––you can wash by hand, wash in the dishwasher or simply spot treat a particular stain. Each of these washing methods can be found in full detail here: How to Get Sweat Stains Out of Hats .

You can wash a baseball cap in the dishwasher, provided it is suitable for washing. If it says "hand wash only," don’t use the dishwasher method. Empty the dishwasher of any dishes, and ensure it’s clean, then place the hat into the top shelf of the dishwasher. The best cycle to use is the cold one. For help on which detergent to add and how to run the cycle for cleaning your hat properly, see How to Clean Baseball Hats with a Dishwasher .

If you want to wash a baseball cap in the washing machine, place it inside a cap cage first. This is a protective device that can be washed and will keep the cap in its original shape. Spot clean any particular stains before washing, using a suitable stain remover. Then, wash on a gentle cycle with mild detergent; read the label for the temperature (usually cold or warm) but if it states nothing, only use a cold wash. Never wash a baseball cap using hot water cycles, and avoid washing with other clothes in case of dye bleeds. If your baseball cap is weakly made, it is recommended that you stick to hand washing only.

Yes, you can, but don't forget to change its settings to cold air, as hot air will affect the shape of the cap (it may bend and get wrinkles).

Use any of the four above methods. For polyester, you don't need to be as concerned with shrinkage or color-fastness as you would for cotton. For cotton, washing the hat in cold water using a mild detergent as mentioned above is your best bet.

It's left to show that your hat is real and not a knock off (for people who care about this).

I wouldn't recommend using dish detergent on a baseball cap. It'd probably be fine, but unless your hat is very greasy for some reason, I'd recommend laundry detergent, since it's made for cloth. Dish detergent is not, so it may damage the color or consistency of the fabric.