I pulled out some dirty well used head oil stained and floppy ball caps that should have been thrown away and most of them I did, but I had some I wanted to see if I could restore. Soaked them for a few hours in the washing machine with a mixture of Warm water, Dawn, Vinegar, and detergent. Took an old toothbrush and straight Dawn to the sweat bands and embroidery, then soaked some more. Rinsed them out really good. Sprayed down with a heavy starch while wet. Stuffed with towels to shape. Then will let dry. Then will spray inside and out with some Stiffen Quick. Let that dry. Then a dusting with hair spray to waterproof them. I already finished some others and I think they turned out looking better than new and for sure holding their shape better than new.

That THF hat is like gold! It will be finished and back in service soon.

Is this what retirement looks like?

You need to start training dogs for your buddy’s. I had this same conversation with one of my best friends a few weeks ago!
He doesn’t fish, but needs to start.

Top rack of your dishwasher will get them clean.

I sweat bad. This stuff has saved me a lot of hats.

HAT SAVER

In a few days the wife and I are headed to the Fork lakehouse for over a week of fishing. This picture was from one year ago to the day. It's time!

Nice! Good luck this trip.

I just toss 'em but I only buy cheapies or get gimmes.

I put hats in the dishwasher.

They cleanup pretty good that way

I'm glad im not the only one that keeps those yellow bass. And yes i run my hats through the dishwasher.

About the time mine need a good wash they get eaten by a brush hog.

Saturday, I put 4-5 of mine in the washing machine on hot and added a quart/half of vinegar and about 8 oz of Arm&Hammer soda. I let if fill and agitate for 5 mins and then let it soak 12 hours (agitating a few minutes every couple of hours). I let the cycle finish, then ran them again with some other clothes and a dose of Tide. They came out smelling great. Before that they were almost impossible to wear as they were RIPE.

Every time I have tried to wash a hat the bill goes to crap. A good hat will almost last me a year...at this point if I find one I really like I'll buy 5-6 of them and once they are embarrassing to wear I trash them and get a new one. I do however try to keep one or two hats that aren't stained up for a "dress hat" of sort.

Yours actually look like the bill survived, maybe they are getting better.