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.