How to Clean and Care for a Straw Hat

Warm-weather straw hats are both fashionable and practical for men and women. Varieties range from a cowboy-style to a Panama fedora to a wide-brimmed hat that blocks the summer sun. While they don't require frequent deep cleanings, a thorough washing once or twice a year will keep your hat in great shape. You can clean most straw hats with water and a mild cleaning solution, but some will become misshapen when wet. In these instances, skip the steps that require water and use a vacuum and soft brush instead. If you're unsure which approach to take, you can test clean a small area underneath the brim to be sure your treatment will not cause harm.

Every type of straw has a different level of durability, so read the hat care label to find out any specific cleaning requirements. If your hat doesn't have care instructions, pay attention to the tightness of the weave. A straw hat with a loose weave is probably not as strong as one that is finely woven.

Working time: 10 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

Skill level: Beginner

• Mild dishwashing liquid
• Water

• Vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment
• White cloth
• Pantyhose or netting
• Soft-bristled brush

Make a solution of a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid and water. Wet a soft cloth and test a small area of the hat to make sure the water doesn't cause any adverse effects. Once you know it's safe, wipe the hat in a circular pattern to avoid damaging the straw. Finish by wiping with a clean cloth dipped in plain water and then a clean, dry cloth to get soak up the excess water.

Always store straw hats in a cool, dry place. If the brim is curved, store the hat upside down in a hatbox to prevent misshaping the brim and to keep off dust. Or, use a mannequin head form and cover the hat and head loosely with a white, cotton pillowcase to repel dust. Never store a straw hat in a plastic bag, which can cause discoloration and promote mildew.

If you have a small tear in your hat, use a matching color of mesh netting to repair it.

1. Cut out three pieces of the netting that are a bit larger than the size of the hole.
2. Place the netting, each piece stacked on top of each other, on the back of the hole inside the hat.
3. Use a needle and matching thread to hand-sew the netting to the hat by pushing the needle through the netting and the gaps in the straw's weave.

NOTE: Your patching effort may be noticeable but it will stabilize the straw.

• To remove perspiration stains from the hat, wipe the area with a clean damp white cloth as soon as possible after wearing to prevent body salts and oils from staining the straw.
• For stains around the sweatband, use 1/2 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 teaspoon of warm water on light-colored straw. For dark straw, use 1/2 teaspoon of ammonia and 1/4 cup warm water. Use a soft-bristled brush like an old toothbrush dipped in the cleaning solution and work on a small area, just one to two inches, at a time. Clean and then blot with a white towel dampened with plain water. Allow the area to dry completely before wearing again.
• For oily stains, sprinkle the stain with cornstarch or talcum powder to absorb the oil. Allow it to stand for a few hours and then brush or vacuum away.
• For scuffs on the hat, try rubbing the area with an artist gum eraser. Use gentle pressure and allow the eraser to do the work.
• To remove sweatband stains, you might need something stronger than just a soapy wet cloth. Instead, use a soft-bristled brush and a mixture of 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide and 1/4 cup of warm water. Dip the brush in the cleaning solution and work on a small area at a time.

If you have a hat with a veil that can not be removed, use steam from an iron, clothes steamer or hold over a pot of boiling water to carefully reshape a crushed veil. Do not over-steam or the entire hat can lose its shape. 

If you want the veil to be stiff and stand away from your face, iron the veil between two layers of waxed paper. Use a medium setting on your iron with no steam. A trace amount of wax will transfer to the veil and make it look crisp.