How to Wash and Clean 100% Acrylic Hats and Caps

If you’re here to know how to wash your 100% acrylic hat, you’ve landed on the right page!

Ever heard the saying “how a hat makes you feel is what a hat is all about”? Well, all hat lovers will agree with me on this one, right!

People wear hats for a lot of reasons. For some, it’s purely practical to defend themselves from the scorching heat or the chilling cold, But for some, wearing hats is a style statement. In earlier times, hats even symbolized one’s social standing and status. 

From functional work hats to being a stunning red-carpet accessory, hats are very versatile. A straw hat for summer, a Fedora or a Big-brimmed floppy hat for the springtime, hats and berets for the fall, comfy wool or acrylic hat for the winters.

You name the occasion; you have a hat! And this is just a teeny tiny list of the kinds of hats you can find around the world! 

But just wearing a hat isn’t enough, right?

If a hat has to serve its purpose, whether practical or style, it needs to be in the perfect form and fit. This is why hat care is extremely important. Hat care is no mammoth task but important nevertheless. 

And in this article, we will be exploring the what’s, why’s, and how’s of taking care of a particular and important kind of hat we all need in our lives – the popular acrylic winter hats.

What is Acrylic?

Before jumping into the hat care part, it is important to know a bit about the fabric. Only then will you be able to understand the logic of why it’s done the way it’s done. So are you ready?

Now, we have a lot of different kinds of hats, and a lot of them are associated with a particular function. For instance, the purpose of a winter hat is to protect you and me from the cold. So the material chosen has to serve the purpose.

So Acrylic! Does the name ring a bell? It would if you’d paid attention to your middle-school science classes. But if it doesn’t, do not worry! I’m here to help you with the same. But pay attention this time!

In the simplest of words, acrylic is a synthetic, man-made fabric with a lot of advantages. They are plastic threads made out of fossil fuels (natural gas, coal, etc.) and undergo many chemical processes to reach acrylic fabric. We don’t want to get into the chemistry of it too much, do we? 

Many times, 100% acrylic fabric is used as a cheaper and long-lasting substitute for wool because of its similarity in the look and feel. In fact, acrylic was invented to mimic an economical version of the much-loved Cashmere. Acrylics trap the heat helping our bodies stay warm and cozy!

What makes acrylic the best winter hat fabric? Well, the reasons are aplenty. They are 

• Lightweight
• Durable
• Warm
• Easy-to-clean
• Range of colors

Do you know the best thing about acrylic? If you don’t find your favorite Prussian blue or a cherry red hat, get the color and dye it yourself!

Can You Wash Acrylic Hats?

Yes, you can and should wash them!

Nobody wants someone with a smelly hat around! Because hats are in constant contact with our bodies, sweat, grime, makeup, hair oils, and dust tend to stick to them, making them dirty and stinky.

The best thing about acrylic hats is that they are easy to clean. Most hats will have their fabric care labels mentioning the best method of cleaning. But if not, you should know that acrylic hats can be machine-washed and hand-washed unless mentioned specifically. It’s always advised to wash your hats by hand every 2 days to keep them fresh.

What to Know Before Cleaning an Acrylic Hat

But we thought acrylic was easy to clean, so what’s there to know more? Are you thinking the same? Because we were there while researching acrylics. 

The first step is always to check the fabric care label and make sure if the hat is machine-washable or not; in most cases, it is. It is the easiest and saves a lot of time. Now you might be thinking when to go for a hand-wash. There are two situations:

• If a fabric care label is not there, a hand-wash is suggested to be on the safer side.
• If there are embellishments on your hat that cannot be removed, always go for a hand-wash.

Does Acrylic Shrink When Washed?

The answer is ‘No’ if it is washed in right away. But if you use hot water, chances are higher that the fabric may shrink. 

Are you curious to know what exactly acrylic’s relation with heat is?

Well, as we said, acrylic is made out of plastic. What happens when heat is applied to plastic? It melts right. So it is the same story here. 

Another reason why acrylic might shrink is because of the length and size of the fibers. The longer and continuous they are, the weaker the fibers will be to handle the washing process. This is why wringing and hanging them up are strictly a NO NO.

How to Care for Acrylic Hats?

Once your hat is cleaned, and you’re not using them, it’s important to store them the right way. Otherwise, all your cleaning efforts will go in vain. Let’s see how you can keep your hats in top shape.

• Use a fabric protector. They’re mostly available in spray form and act as a protective shield for your hat.
• If your hat starts collecting lint, do not try to pluck it out. It will damage the threads. Use a lint remover and always keep your hats in a dry, clean space.

A Word of Caution While Using Acrylic

Just like how every coin has two sides, it’s time to know a little bit about the drawbacks of acrylic.

I’m sure you’ll know what ‘hydrophobic’ means. Something that repels water. And acrylic is hydrophobic. But why is it a drawback? Now, if it repels water, there are increased chances of bacteria growth, making your acrylic hat stinky and dirty. Also, if you’ve been using acrylic fabrics, you know how to create static electricity due to their hydrophobic properties.

Acrylic fabrics are not commonly used to make regular clothes. Ever thought why?

They are highly flammable and also very difficult to extinguish if caught fire. So guys, the next time you are wearing an acrylic hat or a sweater for a campfire, you need to be extra careful.

Final Thoughts

Now, you might have a clear idea of how to wash your 100%  acrylic hats and caps. Acrylic hats are both a style statement and comfort accessory. Now, if you are a true hat lover, you should know how to flaunt them and protect them as well. The guide is right here; all you have to do is follow it and KEEP LOVING’ YOUR CAPS AND HATS.