Julie asked: How do I clean a ladies’ hat made of 70% acrylic and 30% polypropylene? It’s a black, brimmed ladies’ hat. There were no washing instructions on the hat. I want to ensure it doesn’t shrink.
Table of Contents:
Acrylic is easily damaged by most cleaning agents, while polypropylene is best cleaned in warm sudsy water. When you combine these two products into one hat, you have a relatively simple cleaning process to keep your headwear looking its best. Here’s what you need to do.
You Will Need:
- Warm water
- Mild detergent
- Bucket or bowl
- Clean, white, nonabrasive cloths
- Hat stand (optional)
Steps to Clean the Hat:
- Combine the warm water with the mild detergent. You want to create suds, but don’t add so much detergent that you’ll end up with a sticky mess on your hat. A heavy lather will likely do more harm than good.
- If you have a hat stand available, it will help to hold the shape of the hat while cleaning. If not, an overturned bowl will also do the trick.
- Dampen the white cloth in the solution. Make sure the cloth is soft. Abrasive fabrics may damage the hat.
- Use gentle pressure to blot the hat clean. Pay attention to the cloth; when it starts to show dirt, switch to a new clean spot. Replace the cloth as needed.
- Finish by blotting again with a clean, dry cloth. Allow the hat to air dry until all remaining moisture is gone.
Additional Tips and Advice
- If you want to have the hat professionally cleaned, don’t take it to a traditional drycleaner. Instead, take it to a hat shop where the right equipment will meet the experience you need for a good result.
- Do not use ammonia based cleaning solutions on acrylic.
