CLEANING YOUR HAT

Invest in a good brim brush--one with dark bristles for dark colored hats and one with light colored bristles for light colored hats.  Brush your hat(s) regularly to keep direct from settling into the fibers. Light colored hats should be brushed more often.  Clean your brushes after each use -- you do not want to transfer fibers of one color hat to a hat of another color.

To keep decorations on your hats clean and fresh: steam the hat over a pot of boiling water for a few seconds until trimmings soften. Smooth and hold in position until cool.

To restore luster to straw hats: rub gently with sandpaper. Brush them regularly with a soft brim brush or whisk broom.  A soft damp cloth can also be used to maintain straw

To remove dirty marks from straw: gently wipe with a damp cloth.  If this action does not succeed, then use dry cleaning fluid.  Use sparingly.  Be sure to test it first on a small piece of the hat tHAT will not be seen.  Apply the fluid with cotton wool.  Do not over wet the area, since you could remove the varnish or dye.

To remove liquid stains: Enlist the services of a professional hat cleaner

To clean felt hats:

• Fine  sandpaper (or soft brush), then rub softly
•  "Gonzo" used for picking up pet hair
• Dry cleaning fluid (e.g. "Renuzit" and "Energine") placed on a soft cloth with a short nap
•  Art gum eraser rubbed in a counter clock-wise motion to the grain of the brim
• Fuller's earth used to clean away oily stains that are not of a liquid nature; use a plastic or rubber sponge to clean away the residue
• Scout Hat Cleaner , purchased from a milliner

To clean before packing: use a hat brush before packing it away in acid free tissue for the summer.  Brush the hat carefully (in clockwise direction), following the nap.

To prevent hats from wilting and protect from raindrops:  buy inexpensive hats, then spray them with clear acrylic on both sides. Use the flat finish.

To get the best cleaning economically: try "Dryel," a safe, convenient way to care for dry clean only items in your dryer!

To get the best cleaning of all: take it to a professional hat cleaner and/or milliner.  STAY AWAY FROM CLOTHES CLEANING ESTABLISHMENTS (many do NOT have the tools for cleaning and reblocking a hat).