The Right Way to Clean a Baseball Cap

You’ve already mastered how to wash your clothes and bedding, but chances are, you’re probably clueless about the best way to clean a baseball cap. After wearing your baseball caps to the gym, supermarket, and everywhere in between, they’re bound to collect sweat and dirt over time. And let’s not forget about all the build-up from makeup and hair products. That’s why it’s important to know the right way to wash your baseball hats either by hand or in the washing machine.

“I wear hats all the time, and usually just one or two favorites, so I’m very familiar with how quickly they can get dirty,” says Noah Pinsonnault, home care and cleaning reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. “When cleaning them, it’s best to check for a care label first, but when there isn’t one, handwashing in a diluted detergent bath or washing on the delicates cycle usually does the trick.”

Keep in mind that you’ll have to conduct a colorfastness test if your hat has multiple colors, as bleeding dyes can ruin your hat. Pinsonnault recommends a few steps: “This can be done by pouring a small amount of water onto each area of the hat that uses a separate dye. Use a paper towel to soak up the excess water from each area, and if you find that the dyes bleed, it’s usually best to spot treat the hat rather than giving it a full wash.” If you don’t notice any color come off, try the following hand and machine washing tips.

Whether you wear your cap every day or multiple times a week, aim to wash it at least once every month. If you rarely wear one, you can get away with washing it several times a year. And just like other accessories (think jackets and sneakers), it’s best not to wait until you actually see stains, spots, and dirt to wash a baseball cap. By then, they may be harder to remove and soil on the inside from sweat and body oils may not even be visible at all, but it's there.

Hand washing your baseball cap is simple and gives you the best chance of keeping the shape intact, if you handle it carefully.

1. Give the hat a good shake or vacuum it with the flat upholstery tool to get rid of any dust and loose dirt. Use a lint roller to remove stuck-on hairs inside and out.
2. Fill your sink, basin, or large bowl with cool water, and mix in a few drops of laundry detergent or a grease-cutting dish soap. Apply a drop or two of detergent to any visible stains and work it in with your fingertips or a soft brush.
3. Agitate the water with your hands to create suds, then immerse the hat and move it around gently to help the water penetrate the fibers.
4. Let the baseball cap soak for 15 minutes, then check to see if any spots are still visible. For stubborn stains, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to work a bit more detergent or suds into the fabric. Let sit for 5 minutes then return it to the soapy water and let soak for another 10 minutes.
5. Once clean, place the baseball cap in a colander in the sink and rinse it thoroughly under cool water until all the suds are gone.
6. Gently squeeze out any excess water, but skip the brim, so it keeps its shape.
7. Firmly pat the hat dry with a white lint-free towel to absorb as much moisture as possible. Stuff the inside of the hat with a second clean, dry hand towel or place it on top of a ball or bowl, so it keeps its shape.
8. Let it air dry completely before storing or wearing it.

What You'll Need to Wash a Baseball Cap

Tide Ultra Stain Release Liquid Laundry Detergent

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$9 $13 at farmandfleet.com

Dawn EZ-Squeeze Ultra Dish Soap

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$4 $4 at Amazon

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The Laundress New York Stain Brush

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Amazon Basics 2 Piece Quick-Dry Oversize Bath Towel

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When you’re short on time or sink space, or have a hat that you're not too concerned about, this set-it-but-don’t-forget-it method is a huge help.

Remember to set a timer on your phone, so you can promptly take the hat out of the washing machine when the cycle is done. (Leaving it in the machine too long could make reshaping more difficult.) Like with hand washing, skip the dryer and let the cap air dry, so it doesn’t shrink or lose its shape.

With these tips, you won’t need to shell out money for a protective hat washing cage.

1. Pre-treat any visible stains with detergent or an enzyme-based laundry pretreatment.
2. Wash the hat alone, with other hats, or with a few lightweight items. Avoid adding anything large or heavy, so the cap doesn’t get crushed inside the washing machine.
3. If you have one, tuck the hat into a mesh laundry bag large enough for the hat to fit comfortably inside.
4. Choose the delicate cycle. Check to make sure the water temperature is cold, and the spin speed is set to the slowest your machine offers, so the ball cap doesn’t stretch, shrink, or bend.
5. Remove the hat promptly. Stuff the inside of the hat with a clean, dry hand towel or place it on top of a ball or bowl, so it keeps its shape and let it air dry.
6. Let it air dry completely before storing or wearing it.

For baseball caps with delicate embellishments or details, or vintage styles with cardboard brims (typically from the early '80s or before), spot cleaning is always the best and gentlest method.

1. Apply a small amount of mild laundry detergent or dish soap to a damp, lint-free cloth, then dab it onto any stains or dingy areas. For stubborn spots, swap in an enzyme-based laundry pretreatment product and leave it on the stain for 5 minutes.
2. Using the same damp cloth and small circular motions, carefully work the detergent into the fabric. Rinse with a clean damp cloth and repeat until the area is clean. Avoid harsh or excessive scrubbing, which can damage the fibers.
3. Rinse the cloth clean in cool water, then use it to gently blot away all residual soap on the baseball cap. Repeat as needed, always rinsing the cloth as you go.
4. Stuff the inside of the hat with a clean, dry hand towel or place it on top of a ball or bowl, so it keeps its shape and let it air dry.
5. Let it air dry completely before storing or wearing it.

Its best to avoid doing this. These type of hacks may seem tempting, but there’s really more risk than reward here. The dishwasher is filled with food soils, hot water, and dishwasher detergents that while safe for dishes and glasses, may not be the case for fabrics. If you care about your hat, it’s best to use one of the tried-and-true laundering methods above.

Monique Valeris

Home Design Director

Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."

Taryn Mohrman

Taryn Mohrman is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience writing for major consumer magazines, retailers and digital outlets, including buybuyBABY, Woman's Day, Parents and Redbook. She also specializes in content strategy and business development for B2Cs and startups, and has served as a consultant for companies in the home, fashion, beauty, tech, kids and gifts industries.