Quick answer: Dry brush the crown and brim to remove dust, then pump Ready-To-Use Hat Cleaner onto a soft brush and scrub in small sections, starting with the sweatband, where sweat stains build up. Wipe the foam away with a microfiber towel, reshape the crown, and let the hat air dry on a form or a rolled-up towel. No soaking, no washing machine, no dishwasher. It works on fitted caps, snapbacks and other hats made of cotton, wool, felt, corduroy or polyester. We clean a New Era Dodgers fitted cap in the video.
- Hands-on time: about 10 minutes
- Drying: a few hours to overnight
- Works on: cotton, wool, felt, corduroy and polyester
Jump to: What you'll need · Steps · Mistakes to avoid · FAQ
What you'll need

Ultra Delicates Cleaning Brush
Made for hats, wool, cotton, polyester and felt, without pilling or tearing.
Shop now Ultra Delicates Cleaning Brush
Premium Microfiber Towels 3-Pack
Absorbs up to 7 times its weight in water and leaves a lint-free finish.
Shop now Premium Microfiber Towels 3-Pack
Refresh Spray
Neutralizes odor-causing bacteria on footwear, hats and apparel.
Shop now Refresh SprayThe Hat Care Kit below includes the hat cleaner and a soft brush. Add the Ultra Delicates brush for wool, felt and other ultra-delicate hats.

Made for hats
The Hat Care Kit
Fragrance-free Ready-To-Use Hat Cleaner formulated for cotton, wool, felt, corduroy and polyester, plus the soft Delicates brush. It's pre-mixed, so you just pump and scrub. No water needed.
Shop the Hat Care KitStep by step
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Check the material and test
Read the hat's label and test the cleaner on a hidden spot, like the inside of the band. Older or vintage caps may have cardboard brims, so keep them as dry as possible.
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Dry brush the crown and brim
Brush off surface dust and lint before you add any cleaner. Brush with the grain on wool and felt.
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Pump cleaner onto the brush
Pump Ready-To-Use Hat Cleaner from the Hat Care Kit onto the bristles, not onto the hat. It's pre-mixed, so there's no water to add.
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Start with the sweatband
Scrub the inside band in short strokes. That's where sweat and oil build up and where stains show first.
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Work the crown and brim in sections
Move panel by panel with light pressure so you don't over-wet the hat or crush the crown.
Wipe and lift
Wipe the foam and lifted dirt away with a Premium Microfiber Towel. Go over any remaining marks with a second light pass rather than scrubbing harder.
Reshape and air dry
Set the hat on a hat form, a ball or a rolled-up towel so the crown keeps its shape, and let it air dry at room temperature. Then rinse the brush with water, shake it out and stand it upright to dry.
Get the kit from the video
Hat cleaner and a soft brush, made for the job. Pump, scrub, wipe, done.
Shop the Hat Care KitMistakes to avoid
- The dishwasher or washing machine. Heat, detergent and tumbling can collapse the crown, warp the brim and fade the color.
- Soaking the hat. More water doesn't mean cleaner. It just takes longer to dry and can warp cardboard brims.
- Bleach or harsh household cleaners. They can strip color and leave marks, especially on colored caps.
- A stiff brush on wool or felt. Use a soft brush, like the Ultra Delicates, to avoid pilling and tearing.
- Drying with heat or on a flat surface. Skip the dryer and hair dryer, and dry the hat on a form so it holds its shape.
Keep it clean
Once the hat is clean and fully dry, Repel adds a breathable barrier against spills and dirt. It's safe on most absorbent materials, including cotton, nylon, knit and woven fabrics. Quick Wipes handle fast cleanups on the go (not on suede or nubuck).

Repel Spray
A durable, breathable barrier that dries clear and protects against liquid and dirt. PFAS-free.
Shop now Repel Spray
Quick Wipes 30 Pack
Individually packed, plant-based wipes for scuffs and spills on the go. Not for suede or nubuck.
Shop now Quick Wipes 30 PackFAQ
Can you put a baseball hat in the washing machine or dishwasher?
We don't recommend either. Heat, detergent and agitation can crush the crown, bend the brim and fade the color. Hand cleaning with hat cleaner and a soft brush takes about 10 minutes. See can you wash sneakers in the washing machine? for the same reasoning on shoes.
How do you get sweat stains out of a hat?
Focus on the sweatband: pump hat cleaner onto a soft brush, scrub in short strokes, wipe with a microfiber towel and repeat with light passes until the stain lifts. Cleaning the band regularly keeps stains from setting.
Can I clean a wool fitted cap like a New Era 59FIFTY?
Yes. Jason Markk Ready-To-Use Hat Cleaner is formulated for wool, cotton, felt, corduroy and polyester. Use a soft brush, light pressure and as little moisture as possible, and dry the cap on a form.
Do I need water to use the hat cleaner?
No. Ready-To-Use Hat Cleaner is pre-mixed and ready straight out of the bottle. Pump it onto the brush and scrub.
How long does a hat take to dry?
Usually a few hours, or overnight for thicker wool caps. Dry it at room temperature on a form, not with a hair dryer.
How do I keep my hat smelling fresh?
Use Refresh Spray between wears. It neutralizes odor-causing bacteria on hats, footwear and apparel.