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How to Wash a Flexfit Hat – Quick & Easy Cleaning Methods
Comfort and style rolled into one – that’s what our Flexfit baseball caps are all about! They are the ultimate all-purpose cap. If you want to make a good outfit look great, wear a flexfit cap! Now, because it’s your go-to cap, you tend to use them more, and they are likely to get dirty over time. But are you prepared with the best way to wash a flexfit cap? No, right? (We thought so.)
Don’t worry. We’ve got your back. After reading this article, you’ll be ready to fight any stains on your beloved flexfit caps. All you’ve got to do is follow our instructions to the point because we will guide you on how to wash flexfit hats!
Come one! Let’s make your flexifit caps look great again!
Can You Wash a Flexfit Cap?
YES. Most Flexfit caps are made of a combination of cotton, polyester, and spandex. Spandex or elastane is what gives flexfit hats their stretchability. Spandex is so durable that it can be stretched more than 500 percent without breaking and still come back to its original form. Because of this durability, flexfit caps can be washed easily, as long as proper precautions are taken.
But if you don’t wash flexfit caps the right way, the material’s elasticity might get damaged, and the caps will become useless.
We’ll be sharing with you tips and tricks that’ll help you wash your flexfit caps without ruining them!
What to Know Before Cleaning a Flexfit Hat?
1. Check the Care Label
If you’ve never noticed this tiny piece of the label before, now is the time to check it out. The label contains information regarding your flexfit hat – the material it’s made from, safest washing methods, other warnings, etc.
Reading the care label carefully will get you started down the right path to properly cleaning your cap!
2. NEVER USE Fabric Softener
Fabric softeners are bad for spandex and hence for your flexfit caps as well. Softeners will leave a residue on your cap, making them look dull and also attract bacteria.
3. AVOID Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine bleach will destroy your cap’s fibers, especially for colored caps. If you feel you must use bleach, use an oxygen-based one.
4. USE ONLY Cool Water
Hot water can affect the elasticity of your flexfit caps. Always ensure that the water you use to wash them is cool.
5. Check for Color Bleed
Before any wash, it is important to check if your caps are bleeding any color. How do you check? A spot test is your answer.
How to Do a Spot Test?
Dampen a clean white cloth and gently rub it on an unnoticeable area of your cap. If any color transfers onto the white cloth, your cap is bleeding color, and you need to take it to an expert.
If no color transfers to the white cloth, you are safe to go ahead and wash your flexfit caps at home!
How to Wash a Flexfit Hat by Hand?
Washing your flexfit caps by hand is the safest way to get them cleaned. You have good control over the cap, unlike the uncertainty that you can expect inside a washing machine or even a dishwasher.
There are two ways you can hand wash your flexfit caps, depending on how soiled your cap is.
If your hat is dirty only at specific spots and not the whole hat, you can opt for the spot-clean method where you don’t have to wash the entire cap.
But if you need to give a complete wash to your cap, you need to go for a proper hand-washing. Let’s have a look at both methods.
How to Spot Clean
Materials Needed:
- A mild detergent
- A soft toothbrush
- A small bowl
- A clean towel or cloth
- Cool water
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Cleaning Agent
In a bowl, mix water and a small amount of detergent. This is your cleaning agent. Mix them well so that the soap is distributed uniformly in the water.
Step 2: Work on the Stains
Dip the soft-bristled toothbrush into the cleaning agent and start scrubbing the cap’s stained areas very gently. Do not be too harsh on the scrubbing.
Step 3: Wipe Away Residue Soap and Dirt
Using a non-abrasive damp, clean cloth or towel, wipe away all the dirt and any left-over soap from the surface of your flexfit cap.
Step 4: Dry the Cap
Set the cap to air-dry in a spot with good air circulation. Ensure the cap is drying away from direct sunlight.
How to Normal Hand-wash
Materials Needed:
- Mild detergent
- Stain remover
- Soft-bristled toothbrush
- A bucket, sink, or tub
- Cool water
Instructions:
Step 1: Pre-treat the stains
Apply a few drops of pre-treat stain remover on specific stain areas for better results. Leave the remover on for about 30 minutes or more, depending on the staining.
Step 2: Prepare the Cleaning Agent
In a bucket filled with water, add a small amount of mild detergent. Mix the two well. If you are using a sink, don’t forget to put a drain stopper before filling up the sink.
Step 3: Work on the Stains
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, gently work on the stains in small, circular movements.
Step 4: Soak the Cap
Soak the cap in the cleaning solution for about an hour or more, depending on the staining.
Step 5: Rinse the Cap
Empty the soapy water from the bucket or sink. Rinse the hat under cool running water. Ensure all soap is removed as left-over soap can cause staining.
Step 6: Dry the Cap
Once the hat is washed clean, place it on a clean towel to remove dripping water and air-dry, or you can directly air-dry the cap on a mannequin head or a simple coffee can, bowl or sports ball.
DO NOT hang the cap to dry. Hanging can distort the structure of your flexfit hats.
How to Wash a Flexfit Hat by Washing Machine or Dishwasher?
How to Wash Flexfit Cap in Washing Machine
Washing flexfit caps in a washing machine is effortless and mess-free. However, always ensure you check the care label to confirm whether your hat is machine-washable.
Materials Needed:
Instructions:
Step 1: Pre-treat Stains
Pre-treating helps break down dirt particles before the actual wash, ensuring your hat comes out perfectly clean.
Apply a small amount of remover on the stained areas. Keep it on for about 30 minutes.
Step 2: Place the cap in a cap cage or mesh bag
Washing machines spin and whirl fabrics to clean them. Since we have to protect our hat’s shape, it’s always better to place them inside a mesh bag or in a cap cage.
If you are using a cap cage, you’ll have to use a top-load washing machine and not a front-load one. A front-load one has more tumbling action and is hence bad for the cap cage.
Step 3: Set Your Machine Controls
Always set your machine to a delicate cycle and wash with cool water. Avoid over-stuffing your machine with clothes if you plan to wash your flexfit caps with other laundry.
Step 4: Dry the Cap
Once the caps complete their wash cycle, take them out and air-dry.
If you want to dry them quicker, you can put them in the dryer in the lowest heat setting possible. DO NOT dry the caps completely in a dryer. Take the caps out while they’re still slightly damp and air-dry normally.
How to Wash Flexfit Caps in Dishwasher
Yes, you heard that right. You can wash your flexfit hats in a dishwasher.
Of course, we agree that you cannot wash all hats and caps in a dishwasher. It depends on the material and durability of your hats and caps. For instance, a flexifit made of a combination of wool and spandex cannot be washed in a dishwasher.
But most flexfits made of cotton, polyester, and spandex combinations are sturdy enough to withstand a dishwasher. Let’s see how!
Materials Needed:
- A dishwasher
- Dishwasher detergent (bleach-free, non-lemon scented)
- Stain remover
- Cap cage
Instructions:
Step 1: Pre-treat Stains
Apply a small amount of remover on specific stain areas and leave it on for about 30 minutes.
Step 2: Place the cap in a cap cage
When you are washing your flexfit caps in the dishwasher, DO NOT toss them in directly. Always use a cap cage to protect your caps from the extreme environment inside a dishwasher; after all, dishwashers are for dishes and not caps. So, you need to take extra precautions while attempting so.
But the good part about washing by a dishwasher is that it gives your hats a very deep clean. So, it’s definitely worth giving a shot!
Step 3: Add the Detergent
Add required amounts of dishwasher detergent to the soap dispenser. Ensure that the detergent you use is free of bleach and is non-lemon scented.
Step 4: Set Your Dishwasher Controls
Adjust your dishwasher to a normal setting. Place the cap cage only on the top rack because the heat is slightly lower here than the other racks.
DO NOT forget to turn off the HEAT DRY OPTION.
Step 5: Dry the Hat
Once the wash cycle is complete, take them out. Let the hats air-dry.
How to Clean Stinky Flexfit Caps?
If you are someone who wears your flexfit caps to the gym or wears them for other outdoor activities, the chances are high that your flexfit caps are really stinky. Ideally, a good hand-wash or machine-wash will remove the odor, but if not, there is one little trick we want to share with you.
Any guesses?
It’s baking soda. Fill a bucket with warm or lukewarm water and add a small amount of baking soda. Leave your flexfit hats in this solution overnight. Rinse the cap-like usual and air-dry.
Your caps will be fresh as new, and you’ll never believe they were stinky just a day ago!
Can You Iron Flexfit Caps?
Yes, you can. But only on the lowest heat setting.
The best part about flexfit caps is that they do not wrinkle. So, the chances of your flexfit hats needing an iron are really low.
Before ironing, always check the spandex composition in the cap; if there is a HIGH SPANDEX CONTENT, DON’T IRON the hat.
How to Care for Flexfit Hats
1. Keep Away from Heat and Light
Though flexfit caps are not very delicate, they still need to be kept away from direct heat and light. Over-exposure to heat and light can fade the cap’s color over time.
2. Don’t Let Stains Settle in For Too Long.
The flexfit cap’s materials, especially spandex, are such that, even if mildly stained, they tend to set in and are difficult to remove.
So, it’s always a good idea to remove the stains – mild or stubborn, the moment you see them.
3. Storing the Caps
Most of us take our caps for granted. The best way to store your caps is not your room corner or a cupboard. You should store them in hat boxes to ensure they live a longer life!
Final Thoughts
If you are a hat lover and collector, a flexfit cap is a must-have. But if you don’t take good care of it, it’s not going to last too long. Now that we’ve shown you how to wash a flexfit cap, you no longer have excuses not to wash them!
So, get your favorite flexfit caps out and give them a great wash that they truly deserve!
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