Get your hat looking like new again with our top tips.

If you're trying to work out how to clean a baseball cap, you're in the right place.

Whether you wear them for fashion or for the sport itself, baseball caps need cleaning every once in a while in order to remove any sweat marks or stains which will inevitably appear if worn regularly.

In many ways, cleaning a baseball cap is not unlike cleaning a pair of canvas shoes, like some of the best Converse sneakers around, as you need to be relatively gentle throughout to avoid permanently damaging the material.

However, there are a few key differences to note, which is why we've put together a set of step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process.

So get your favourite cap ready and follow our top tips right here.

The following technique is what we believe to be one of the best and most effective ways of cleaning a baseball cap that should also work for almost any cap type.

Step 1: Fill a sink or bowl with water and add a few drops of mild detergent or a dedicated stain remover, like this Combat Cleaner Ultimate Hat Cleaner solution. Mix together.

Step 2: Place your hat in the water and leave it to soak for around 15 minutes for a short clean, or a few hours for a deeper soak.

Step 3: Use a soft-bristled brush to remove any stains by gently scrubbing the surface of your hat around the area. We'd recommend something like this Selaurel Cleaning Brush, but you can also use an old toothbrush if you don't have a dedicated cleaning brush to hand.

Top Tip: For stubborn sweat stains, apply a small amount of shampoo to your brush and scrub the surface of your hat over the area.

Step 4: Rinse your hat off with warm water and gently dry with a towel. We'd recommend padding your hat dry to avoid damaging the material.

Step 5: Reshape your hat on something rounded like a small bowel and let it air dry. You can also pick up hat reformers, like this bit of kit from XQXA, to help your hat hold its shape.

Once dry, your cap should be spotless and ready to be worn again out or on the baseball field.

There are several things we'd recommend avoiding when cleaning your baseball cap in order to stay clear of causing any permanent damage.

Firstly, avoid blindly applying cleaning formulas and detergents to your cap as they may have a negative reaction to the material. Make sure you spot-test the fabric first to find out if the cleaning product in question is suitable to use.

Similarly, avoid using any harsh chemicals like bleach to clean your hat. Harsh chemicals can cause lasting damage and stains if not diluted properly.

Moreover, we'd advise against soaking older hats with cardboard bills as this may damage and break the material. Instead, we'd suggest spot cleaning your hat to remove any noticeable stains.

Also, keep your hat away from any direct heat or sunlight during the drying process as this may lead to the colour of the fabric fading.

Finally, and something we've touched on before in our guide to cleaning Jordans, never use a washing machine, tumble dryer, or dishwasher to clean your cap. Although it may seem like a quick solution, the intense heat and spin may loosen thread, melt adhesives, and damage the cardboard bill.

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