Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/386985
mike gregory - Posted - 11/20/2022: 13:19:38
I figure probably a couple hundred, out of the thousands of OutHangers wear a felt cowboy hat, and wondered what you use to clean them, IF you clean them.
5-String Dan - Posted - 11/20/2022: 14:03:37
I do not personally have any cowboy hats, but I have a number of friends who do. As I understand it, a soft brush is the first thing to try, or maybe compressed air. I think there's some dry cleaning that might help, too. I'm not any kind of an expert, though, so you should double-check anything I have to say about it.
Texasbanjo - Posted - 11/20/2022: 14:05:44
Here you go, here's some pretty good ideas:
Fill a bowl or kitchen sink with cold water and add about a teaspoon of non-bleach mild soap such as Woolite.
Before you submerge the entire hat in the water, do a spot test by saturating an inconspicuous area for a few minutes to make sure the color doesn't run and the fabric is fine.
Gently scrub away any stains with a soft-bristled brush and let it set for at least 15 minutes.
Be careful with the hat band and any other decorative elements, especially if they are leather or otherwise easily damaged by water.
Next, dunk the entire hat in the water and let it soak for about 30 minutes. For heavy dirt and stains, you can soak the hat for a few hours, just make sure to check on it every hour or so.
Use cold running water to rinse the hat and carefully squeeze it to remove any excess water.
Place the hat on a clean, dry cloth and dab it.
Air dry the hat in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight.
5B-Ranch - Posted - 11/20/2022: 14:11:05
I just use a short bristled brush and lightly bushed the dirty area. Lightly. Very lightly. I think you can buy a dry spray to use on felt hats.
Brian T - Posted - 11/20/2022: 14:27:51
In the big box store district of Edmonton, Alberta is a hat store which does cleaning and attempts restorations. Also an astounding selection of new hats. I went in from curiosity and boy! were they busy in the repairs department. Lots of add-on bling and bands.
I'd look for a business like that before I'd try to resurrect some sentimental favorite beanie.
bubbalouie - Posted - 11/20/2022: 14:38:25
A friend gave me a good beaver felt cowboy hat one time. He fell asleep with it on ! It was all dented & bent, I went to the library (before I had internet) & read up on it.
It said to steam it with a kettle & push it back into shape. Form the sides & brim how you like. You can use string to hold it in shape or prop it up. Set it on a towel to dry . You can use a hairdryer on cool too.
When it's totally dry spray it with unscented hairspray. It stiffened right up & was waterproof too!
mike gregory - Posted - 11/20/2022: 14:41:20
It's not a sentimental favorite.
It's $4 from a thrift shop.
I want to clean it, and then re-shape it into a Smokey the Bear hat.
If it's good enough for Smokey AND Lord Baden-Powell AND Lee Emery AND the WW 1 doughboys, it's good enough for me.
Know how to reshape, but wasn't sure on the cleaning.
Will try the Woolite soak method. (Thanks, Sherry)
Not in any hurry.
Will post pics eventually.
AGACNP - Posted - 11/20/2022: 15:39:01
quote:
Originally posted by mike gregory
It's not a sentimental favorite.
It's $4 from a thrift shop.
I want to clean it, and then re-shape it into a Smokey the Bear hat.
If it's good enough for Smokey AND Lord Baden-Powell AND Lee Emery AND the WW 1 doughboys, it's good enough for me.
Know how to reshape, but wasn't sure on the cleaning.
Will try the Woolite soak method. (Thanks, Sherry)
Not in any hurry.
Will post pics eventually.
I wouldn't soak it...but it's your hat, clean it however you d%^# well please.
I wear felt Stetsons regularly. They have an insert in the hat box that says to clean water and grease spots on fur felt with baby powder or corn starch. Next sentence: "avoid all liquid cleaners."
I had some grease somehow get on one of my light colored hats. The baby powder worked, although I had to rub it pretty hard. Then gave it a good brush with a hat brush.
Paul R - Posted - 11/22/2022: 13:05:04
quote:
Originally posted by Brian T
In the big box store district of Edmonton, Alberta is a hat store which does cleaning and attempts restorations. Also an astounding selection of new hats. I went in from curiosity and boy! were they busy in the repairs department. Lots of add-on bling and bands.
I'd look for a business like that before I'd try to resurrect some sentimental favorite beanie.
The Hatter in Toronto is like that. They cleaned my 4X beaver Stetson, even reversed it when wear and tear showed. They cleaned my Akubra (after 20 years), and patched the little holes.
Bob and Mike, I had a Boy Scout hat. When bought new, it had no shape to the crown, it was just rounded. The instructions I followed said to remove the leather band, invert it, fill it with water, and let it soak. Then dump the remaining water and shape it into that "Mountie" shape. Let dry, then wear.
