Cleaning my hat
 

My umpire's hat tends to get dusty. Any suggestions about how to clean it without causing any damage.

I spray the hat with water from a spray bottle (not too much) and use a brush to clean it off.

Picked up this tip on a discussion board a few years ago, tried it and love the results- no matter how silly it seems.

1) Get naked.

2) Put hat on head.

3) Get in shower.

4) Lather it up with shampoo.

5) Rinse thoroughly.

6) Let hat air-dry.

Having the hat on your head lets you scrub with your hands kind of hard without bending it out of shape. After you do the outside all over, take it off and scrub inside and around the headband, then rinse while off.

You'll be amazed at how much brown grungy gunk is in the water as you rinse it off. Hat should be completely dry after sitting overnight.

I've had some pretty disgusting looking hats (not ones used for umpiring, but for yard work, working on the car, etc.) come out looking great from using this method. Umpire hats, which I take generally good care of anyhow, come out looking almost like new.

Put your hat on a bowl to maintain it's shape.
Put it in the top rack of the dishwasher.
Don't put anything else in the dishwasher.
Use just a LITTLE dishwasher soap.
Wash on the "China Light" or "Quick Wash" cycle.
Turn the "Heated Dry" option OFF.

When it's done washing, set it on the counter - still over the bowl - to air dry.

JJ

I use a cap-caddy from walmart and put my hats in the washer. After a few years, your hat will eventually need replaced though.

after each use (espicially when its hot) spray down with Fabreeze, It helps keep the stink down and keeps it fairly clean

A shoe brush works good to dust it off after a little spray of water.

Its better not to use the same shoe brush you use on your shoes but I have seen that????????.

I clean off my hat after every game and let it dry before putting into the the plastic hat containers the next day. Usually once a month I clean them with spray mixture of tide and water and soft brush let them dry and store them back in the hat container.

I had about 10 hats because of the different leagues I worked however, with just one league I will have about 3-4 hats and dump at least 1-2 each year and buy new ones. I am kind of a neat freak when it comes to my uniform but I think its a good habit to get into. Looking good on the field gives good first impressions.

Febreze Fabric refresher spray

Frabreeze won't clean it, but it will make it smell better.

Lysol will kill the bugs that cause the smell.

I'm not putting my hat into the same dishwasher that cleans my dinner forks.

The shower tip may work, but I don't want all the sweaty, dirty hat gunk washing all over me. I know, I know, but it's just the principle.

I like cold running water, a small soft brush, and mild soap. Lather is up good, but rinse it really well. You don't want soap residue in your eyes in the seventh inning of your next game. Dry it one of the cheap plastic forms.

I put a little laundry detergent in a small bucket of warm water and put the hat in it. I use a scrub brush, particularly in the head band area. After it is well scrubbed I rinse it water and set it in a warm, summy area until it is dry. The bill may get a little soft but as long as you put it in a normal position it drys in the proper shape.

[QUOTE=kylejt]
I'm not putting my hat into the same dishwasher that cleans my dinner forks.
QUOTE]

The dishwasher uses boiling water which sterilizes utensils (and hats). It will kill the bugs in your hat. :D

JJ

Jeez! If the hat is so dirty that it cannot be cleaned up with a little water (okay some soap also) and you are worried about bugs, just buy a new one!

Listen!

If it is just dusty... LIDS sells a hat cleaner and a brush. If your hat is showing wear signs, get a new one. Be prideful in your position as an umpire.

FABREEZE: Only makes the hat smell nice (NO DICE)
LYSOL: Kills bacteria but does not clean it (NO DICE)
SHOWER/DISHWASHER: Um hello??? Hats are WOOL... water shrinks them (NO DICE)

For a new hat, get some hat waterproofer and some cleaner and you will be golden!

Wool hats are OK if washed in cool water with a little soap. Rinse well (also cool) and let dry on hat caddy. Do not use warm/hot water and do not use dryer - This will shrink them. I have been doing this for years to multiple hats with no problem.

I wash my cup in the dishwasher, my wife freaks out every time she opens it and sees it in there. :D