Cowboy Hats and More

A well loved and worn hat will inevitably become stained at some point (even a well made 20X cowboy hat). The key is to treat it kindly and act swiftly to remove the damage. The starting point is, of course, regular maintenance.  Invest in a good soft brush (never stiff — it will tear the fabric) and use it regularly to dust your hat. A dark colored brush works best for dark hats and a light brush on lighter hued hats.

If you prefer, you can use a damp towel with a slight nap to do the same job — rub in circular counter-clockwise motion to remove foreign particles.

A makeup sponge (or any small-pored sponge) works well for stubborn stains.  In a pinch even foam rubber can be used.  The often overlooked advantage of foam rubber is that it is slightly sticky and adheres well to surface soil. Art-gum erasers work well for the same reason … just remember to rub in a counter clockwise motion to the grain.

Staw hats can be kept clean and good looking with a few regular passes of a standard whisk broom.

The most important step for taking care of your derby or bowler hat is to brush it regularly, especially before going out in the rain.  Many find that the best brush for derby or bowler hat care is a soft bristle horse hair hat brush.

If you are putting away your derby or bowler hat for any length of time, stand it on its side on the brim and crown, never on the crown or the brim alone.  It is also suggested that you store your derby or bowler hat when it is not in use in a hat box or traveling case designed for outback hats of the derby or bowler style.

You’ve got a great cowboy hat that fits you just right & you want to keep it looking and wearing its best for years to come. To do that you need to take care of it. Here are some simple steps will keep your favorite cowboy hat looking good for many years.

1. Collect good luck in your hat. Never set it down on its brim (it could flatten its shape). Always set it down on top of its crown.
2. Store it in a clean dry area. A hat rack or in its original hat box are the best places.
3. Keep your hat away from very very hot and humid locations (like the inside of your truck in July). The heat may shrink the sweatband.
4. If your hat gets wet, always let it dry with the sweatband up to let the moisture evaporate rather than soak in. Air drying is best– never use heat to speed up the process.

Cleaning cowboy hats using an air compressor or a vacuum cleaner can work for removing dust. It just blows away the dust. It is better and easier to use a hat brush.

But if you need to remove stains, there are stain repellent sprays specifically for cowboy hats as well as hat cleaning sponges. You really want to enjoy your hat for as long as possible, so you want to be able to prolong the life of your hat with good cleaning habits.