my mesh cap from POS is stinking to high heaven - and I'm scared to death to wash it this late in the season. I bought it just 3 months ago, so it's 'new' (after 30 games, I'm not sure it's new anymore).

I'm scared it will lose shape or shrink - anybody have any help?

Put it in the diswasher in a cap rack and then let it air dry. It will not shrink, only the dryer makes that happen.

This has always worked for me. I've never had a hat shrink.

cap washing
 

I put my hats in the washing machine on the gentle cycle and let them air dry. this doesn't curl the brim and there's no worry about the drying cycle of a dishwasher.

I bought one of those cap holders that are like a skeleton holder. Put it in the dishwasher and let it go. They work great. Between baseball and football, I have to have at least 10 hats, all of them get the dishwasher treatment.

If you don't want to wash it now. Use Febreeze on it spray it inside and out then put it on the table and let it air dry. Never put a hat in the dryer.

And you wonder why they make you sit in the back.