How often should you wash your hat? | Effects on skin | Things to consider | Washing tips | Hats to shop | How we chose | Meet the experts
Baseball hats are the perfect accessory for your errand-running fits or to balance out your go-to everyday office look. You might even have a favorite that you pop on most often. But how often do you wash it?
If you’re anything like me, probably not enough. Wearing your hat often calls for washing just as much. But you don’t have to just take our word for it. We asked a cleaning expert and a dermatologist about how often we should be washing our hats and what we need to know to keep it in mint condition.
How often should people be washing their hats?
Jessica Ek, senior director of digital communications at the American Cleaning Institute, and Dr. Paul Friedman, director of Dermatology & Laser Center in Houston, Texas, both say how often you should wash your hat mainly depends on how often you wear it, how dirty it gets and the activities you’re doing.
“Clean it when it looks dirty, has gotten sweaty or you can’t remember the last time you washed it. Your favorite baseball hat may need to be washed several times a year,” Ek tells Shop TODAY in an email.
Friedman adds that hats that come in contact with skin when you’re wearing sunscreen, makeup, moisturizers or hair products or that are worn during physical activities should be laundered between each use.
“Our bodies shed dead skin cells, exude salt, sweat and sebum every day,” he shares. “For hats that come into contact with the skin for casual to daily use, I recommend washing your hat at least once a week.”
What are the effects on skin?
Like Friedman says, our bodies secrete a lot of things that hats can come into contact with, which is why it’s so important to clean them regularly. Not doing so could result in various types of acne breakouts, skin irritation and, if worse comes to worst, a skin infection. He stresses the importance of people with acne-prone or sensitive skin to “be diligent in maintaining hat hygiene.”
Things to consider before washing a baseball hat
Before you get right into washing your hats, there’s a few things Ek recommends keeping in mind:
Material. “A hat with a cardboard brim may not hold up to the washer. A wool baseball hat should be cleaned more delicately than a cotton one,” she advised.
Dirt level. Ek suggests assessing how dirty your hat actually is before diving right into a cleaning process. For pieces with a lot of sweat stains, she says using a stain remover with enzymes can help break it down. But for hats with just a few marks, you’ll probably be able to get away with just spot cleaning.
Wash history. If you’ve never washed the hat before, Ek says you might want to try cleaning a small spot first to see if any colors run. “This is less likely to be an issue with newer hats, but if you’re washing a vintage hat for the first time, it should be a consideration,” she adds.
Tips for washing hats
When it’s time to wash your hats, Ek shares some best practices to optimize the cleaning process:
- Check for a fabric care label — a tip that Friedman also echoed — to learn specific washing instructions for whatever material your hat is. If it’s washer-safe, she suggests using cold water on a gentle cycle. If it’s not, she says the best process is to hand wash with water, a little bit of detergent and a clean cloth. In this case, you can just spot clean, rinse and let it air dry.
- If you don’t want to hand wash it but it’s not washing machine-safe, Ek says you can use the dishwasher! In this situation, you’d use the top shelf (free of other dishes) and take it out before the drying stage so that it can air dry. She noted that there are crown inserts you can buy to help the hat keep its shape if you choose this method.
- No matter the method, Friedman suggests using a gentle, fragrance-free detergent to prevent irritation.
Trendy baseball hats to shop
Kbethos Original Classic Low Profile Cotton Hat
Colors: 61
A bestseller with 17,300+ verified five-star ratings, this hat comes in 45 different colors and patterns. The reviews are filled with satisfied shoppers raving about its fit, durability and value.
HGGE Criss Cross Ponytail Baseball Cap
Colors: 11
Wearing a baseball hat when your hair is in a bun or ponytail can be both annoying and uncomfortable. This hat is designed so you won't have to worry about that anymore. It has an open criss-cross style in the back so you can put your hair through whichever slot is most comfortable. It also has mesh paneling toward the back to provide some breathability.
Gap 100% Organic Cotton Washed Baseball Hat
Colors: 12
Don’t be afraid to stand out and embrace pops of color. Reviewers rave about the quality, how well it fits and variety of colors offered.
Carhartt Canvas Cap
Colors: 17
This Carhartt hat is a favorite of editorial assistant Sierra Hoeger. "My biggest pet peeve with baseball caps is how stiff they are until you break them in. This Carhartt hat is truly relaxed, without needing to wear it for hours to make it that way. I love the simple logo design, paired with the neutral colors it’s available in, making it the perfect addition to any casual outfit. It has a velcro adjustor, meaning you don’t have to mess with a buckle."
Nike Sportswear Heritage86 Hat
Colors: Two
Give yourself and the people around you an encouraging reminder with this Nike hat that dons the company's slogan: Just do it.
'47 New York Yankees Classic Baseball Hat
Colors: Four
This six-panel style from '47 is a favorite of several Shop TODAY staffers.
"My sister got me this hat for my birthday a couple years ago, so I could rep my team and I love it," says associate editor Emma Stessman of her New York Mets version. "It’s classic, comfortable, adjustable and holds up well over time. What more could you ask for?"
New Era MLB Classic 9TWENTY Adjustable Hat
Colors: 12
"Baseball caps are the perfect way to complete an outfit and I love that this style adds a pop of color. I got it for a concert last year but I’ve worn it just about every day since," raves production associate Jill Ortiz, who adds that she feels like it doesn't make her head look big unlike other hats she's worn.
New York or Nowhere Signature Dad Hat
Colors: Two
After eyeing this hat for a while, associate editor Allie Wise finally decided to make the investment and she doesn't regret it. "It is extremely comfortable and great quality. With hats, I’m always afraid it’s going to get dirty from my makeup, but this one has stayed pristine. I love the black color as it goes with absolutely everything!" she raves.
How we chose
We scoured the internet for trendy, highly-rated hats. We also included tried-and-true favorites of Shop TODAY staffers.
Meet the experts
- Jessica Ek is the senior director of digital communications at the American Cleaning Institute. She's previously spoken with Shop TODAY about why you shouldn't be using fabric softener or dryer sheets and how to clean puffer jackets.
- Dr. Paul Friedman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the director of Dermatology & Laser Center in Houston, Texas.
