Straw Hats
The most important rule in taking care of your Straw Hat is Not to Get it Wet. If you allow your straw hat to get wet, the straw will swell and the hat will lose its shape.
When handling your straw hat, always do so by the brim. Avoid pinching the crown, as this will crack the straw and result in a misshapened crown.
When not wearing your hat, it is best to turn it upside down and set it on the crown. This prevents the brim from flattening.
To clean, dust your straw hat with a soft bristled brush. Best practice, when you are storing your hat is to keep it in a cool dry place, ideally in a hat box. This will keep it clean and retain its shape.
Felt Hats
Remember to handle your Felt Hat by the brim. Avoid pinching the crown to pick it up, which can result in splitting of the felt.
Turn the hat upside down and rest it on the crown when you remove it. This will prevent the brim from flattening.
If you do get your felt hat wet, turn the sweatband out and allow the hat to dry by standing it on its crown. Do not apply direct heat to your hat as this can cause shrinking and loss of shape.
To clean your felt hat, give it a brush regularly with a soft bristled brush over a shot of steam. You can use a kettle to do this.
If you are not wearing your hat regularly, store it is a hat box to help it stay looking good longer.
Suede Hats
Suede hats are treated with liquid silicone during manufacturing. This makes the hat waterproof and stain resistant. To enhance this protection, you can purchase liquid silicone from a shoe repair store and apply it to your hat with a damp sponge.